How CBD Reduces Stress
I’m sure you’ve seen the CBD gummies, oil, tinctures, beverages, candy, pills, etc. in stores, on social media and just about everywhere, but what does CBD have to do with stress? Let’s talk about it.
First of all, what even is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a natural, active ingredient found in cannabis and hemp plants. It does not make you high or create the psychoactive affects that THC (tetrahydrocanabinal) does when you generally think of cannabis. Hemp plants have a much higher concentration of CBD than cannabis plants.
How does CBD work?
CBD contributes to overall wellness by the supporting the function of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS works to maintain a balance throughout the body. It’s believed to assist in regulating your sleep, mood, gut health, appetite, inflammation, memory, fertility, your immune system and central nervous system.
What does CBD have to do with stress?
Numerous studies have shown that CBD protects the body’s cells from the affects of stress. And if the body has already been damaged by chronic stress, it can help with recovery.
How?
The ECS overlaps quite a bit with the regulation of the stress response and functions best when supported by healthy lifestyle choices and diet. When the ECS is not functioning properly, you can experience the affects of chronic stress: burnout, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, gut issues, etc.. CBD can step in and give your body a much needed reprieve by promoting the normal function of the ECS. This gives your body a chance to rest and recover from the damage that chronic stress has been creating.
For us, CBD helped us recover enough to start making healthy lifestyle changes. I was so deep in anxiety and depression from chronic stress, that all I could do was manage it with unhealthy coping behaviors. At first, we noticed we were sleeping better, then that sensation of drowning in every day life slowed down and eventually we could start applying the numerous other strategies we had learned to live a healthier life.
