Do you dread getting up in the morning? Is your daily commute a source of anxiety? You are not alone! Stress and anxiety affects people across the world in all walks of life. It can impact on our health, our relationships and our self-esteem.
Recent studies have indicated that there may be a link between CBD treatment and stress relief. CBD has a quickly increasing public profile and many users have taken to public forums to share their positive experiences. Can CBD really reduce stress and if it does how should it be taken? Let’s take a closer look and find out for ourselves.
Health risks associated with stress and UK stats
85% of UK adults report feeling stressed regularly and 39% admit that their stress levels are too high in their day to day lives. It is a widespread problem and when it is prolonged it can put you at risk of serious health issues such as:
High Blood Pressure
Suppressed Immune System
Stroke
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Ulcers
Diabetes
Muscle and Joint Pain
Miscarriage
Allergies
Hair and Premature Tooth Loss
When you suffer from stress it can also target any pre-existing conditions. If you regularly experience headaches or irritability they may become more noticeable during these times.
Stress vs. Anxiety and how CBD can affect it
Stress can be characterized as how we respond to the situations around us. Our ability to respond effectively and with a clear head is compromised by worry and how challenging we find each event.
As these events build up, we are less able to deal with the next situation resulting in prolonged periods of stress. Using a high quality CBD product helps us to tackle this by interacting with our body’s Endocannabinoid receptors located in the brain and central nervous system. These interactions improve the brains ability to respond to stressful situations and breaks the cycle.
Anxiety is widely accepted to be linked to levels of serotonin present in the brain. Medication prescribed by doctors as a key part of the treatment of anxiety are often Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. SSRIs increase the level of Serotonin present by preventing it from being reabsorbed into the body. It is not fully understood how CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid system but this interaction can affect serotonin levels and consequently support recovery from anxiety and related conditions.
Because stress and anxiety can interact and even be present together you can see how each of these actions could support recovery from both conditions.
CBD oil as a supplement for stress and anxiety (how much and when to take it)
CBD interacts differently with each person based on their individual body chemistry. This means that there is no standard or recommended dose to give the desired effect for stress and anxiety. Start by taking a small dose of your chosen oil three times a day and maintain the dosage for seven days. Then increase the amount by 1-2mg and use the new dose for three days. Continue to slowly increase the amount you take until you reach a dose that gives you the desired effect.
CBD oil is not enough – foods and rituals that bring inner peace to your life
To get the best anti-stress and anti-anxiety effects from CBD it should be used alongside other healthy choices. Food and teas can be a great place to get other active ingredients to boost mood and cognitive function:
Omega 3– Fatty fish is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids and has a strong link to brain function.
Curcumin– Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties which may also help reduce anxiety.
Theanine– Green tea contains an amino acid called theanine which has calming and anti-anxiety effects and is also linked to serotonin production.
With all these great ingredients working for your good health on the inside it can also be great to add some positive actions to your routine:
Walking-Getting outside in the evening for a walk can improve your mood as well as increasing creativity and concentration.
Rewards– Setting aside an hour every day or so to focus on something that you find enjoyable can be a great way to relieve some of the stress produced by other activities. (The Daily Mind)
Mindfulness– There’s growing evidence that the regular practice of mindfulness can reduce stress and build inner strength. (NHS Inform)
Conclusion and other benefits of CBD oil and a stress-free life
There is growing evidence that CBD will be a crucial tool in the reduction of stress and anxiety. The studies show that it interacts with stress and anxiety causing factors in a range of ways. This indicates that while it may affect you in different ways at different dosages there is a good chance that it may offer better cognitive function, deeper sleep, and higher serotonin levels. Why not give it a try and reduce the stress in your life!
