Stress and CBD: Here's How They Are Connected
Feeling a little (or a lot) of stress and anxiety? You’re not alone! We’re not built to live under a constant stream of crisis, which has been our reality for the last couple of years. From COVID and isolation like never before to the War in Ukraine and inflation at an all-time high, it’s no wonder 84% of Americans report feeling stressed every week.
But Why Do We Get Stressed and Anxious?
Our bodies are hardwired to react to stress, in ways originally meant to protect against predators and other threats. This reaction is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening, also known as our Fight or Flight Response.
Increased heart rate, dilated pupils, increased sweat, the shakes, etc. are all meant to help prepare the body to literally get ready to defend itself and survive a threatening situation. You can thank the naturally occurring hormone called cortisol for many of these responses, which is vital for survival.
Because of the increased and constant state of crisis, our levels of cortisol are often out of balance. The key isn’t to eliminate the level of cortisol in the body, but to balance it to help reduce our bodies' overreaction to everyday stressors like speaking to a group of people at work, meeting up with friends, or simply hitting a traffic jam on your way to an important meeting.
This is Where CBD May Help Manage Stress and Anxiety.
CBD (or cannabidiol) is the chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD impacts the endocannabinoid system (ECS) - hence the name - and one of the many functions of the ECS is maintaining overall balance in our body, including our Fight or Flight Response. You can read more about CBD and Your Endocannabinoid System on our blog.
More specifically, the ECS helps manage the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of cortisol. When your ECS system is out of balance, your production of cortisol may be overactive because of the stressors you’re experiencing every day.
The good news is that CBD may help directly manage cortisol production, and improve some of the symptoms of anxiety or stress - increased heart rate, dilated pupils, increased sweat, the shakes, etc.
How Use CBD to Impact Your Stress and Anxiety?
CBD must build up in your body to experience its benefits. And unlike THC, the chemical compound found in marijuana, CBD doesn’t have the “high” effect, which makes using it daily a sustainable healthy habit without interfering with your lifestyle. If you want to learn more about the difference between Hemp and Marijuana, check out our blog.
Here are a few different ways you can introduce CBD into your daily routine that may help manage your levels of stress and anxiety:
- Add the Essential Blend Extract to your morning coffee.
- Take one Citrus-C Vitamin Gummies for a mid-day pick me up and immunity boost.
- Combine the power of CBD and aromatherapy any time of the day when you’re feeling a little stressed and anxious with the REVIVE Roll-On or RELIEF Roll-On.
- Unwind before bedtime, if stress is keeping you up at night with the Evening Blend Extract and RESTORE Roll-On.
Finding the best way to manage stress and anxiety is a personal journey. There are no hard and fast rules to living a more balanced life, but we do have hope that it is possible! If you find yourself continuing to struggle to find the right balance for your life, reach out to your healthcare professional.
