Every year since 2007, the American Psychological Association conducts a nation-wide survey asking for feedback about the impact of physical and emotional stress. This year’s survey reveals that stress is affecting 8 out of 10 people. Two-thirds of those respondents report an alarming increase in stress levels.1
Although prescription medications can provide short-term relief, many people worried about the high risk of chemical dependency prefer sticking with non-pharmaceutical solutions. Some experiment with stress-busting activities like yoga and meditation to help ease their tension, while others gravitate towards comfort foods, alcohol, or more frequent smoke breaks.
If you’ve been feeling tense, stressed, or overwhelmed, maybe it’s time to try a plant-sourced alternative you may not have considered – CBD.
At CBDistillery™, we’ve conducted a few surveys of our own. Based on data collected from 2000 respondents, most CBD users prefer CBD over meditation (82%), yoga (79%), cigarettes (92%), and alcohol (76%) for relaxation.
What is CBD?
CBD is the commonly used abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of more than 100 plant elements in cannabis classified as a cannabinoid. Plant-based cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) are shown to interact with key receptors located throughout your body while mimicking the effects of chemical messengers produced as needed (endocannabinoids).
Once crops have matured, the cannabinoid-rich oil is extracted from the plant. That extracted oil is used to add the health and wellness potential of CBD to tinctures, capsules, skincare products, and more. Based on the results of our internal survey, CBD users are turning to this safe, natural cannabinoid for better sleep, less stiffness, less inflammation, stiffness, and discomfort after physical activity, and to feel more relaxed.
Does CBD Cause Intoxication?
We understand why you might initially be concerned about using a plant oil extracted from cannabis, but CBD is not the cannabinoid that causes the type of intoxication the plant species is known for. That distinction belongs to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Unlike THC, CBD does not bind with receptors in the brain, so it doesn’t have the same effect.
You might also find it helpful to know that CBD oil with intoxicating levels of THC, CBD products sourced from marijuana, are typically sold through a dispensary. Most CBD products sold through retail stores, specialty shops, and online are sourced from industrial hemp, a cannabis plant that produces only trace amounts of THC, not nearly enough to cause intoxication. If you’d rather stay away from the cannabinoid entirely, you always have the option of purchasing 0% THC CBD products. Of our 2000 survey respondents, 99% do not feel that CBD is intoxicating.
Could CBD Help You Feel Less Stressed and More Relaxed?
Stress affects everyone differently. Some people find that stress makes them feel tense, increasingly emotional, or angry. Others find that stress affects them physically, causing digestive issues, recurring infections, frequent headaches, or trouble sleeping. If you’re experiencing similar symptoms, it’s fairly safe to assume that you’re experiencing the effects of cortisol and adrenaline, your stress hormones.2
The impact is the same whether you’re in immediate physical danger, stuck in traffic, or your thoughts are consumed with worry. When you’re relaxed, cortisol and adrenaline levels drop, and your body has time to recover from the physical and emotional impact.
That’s where CBD fits into the equation. Stress hormones that accumulate during the day can make it difficult to relax and unwind. Based on the responses of surveyed CBD users, 89% report that CBD helps calm their mind, 88% tell us that CBD helps with mild anxiety, and 9 out of 10 report better sleep.
Those favorable responses are supported by some pretty intriguing studies. In a 2011 investigation, 24 test subjects were given either CBD or a placebo before a public-speaking event. Participants receiving the CBD reported less stress-induced cognitive impairment, less physical discomfort, and lower stress levels.
How Safe are CBD Products?
Hemp-derived CBD products are well-tolerated and generally considered safe to use for most people. An evaluation released by the World Health Organization reveals “no evidence of public health-related problems.” The organization also noted that most side effects from CBD use are caused by interactions with medications, which means that using CBD for relaxation may not be right for everyone.3 If you have medical concerns or use medication, please consult your health care provider before adding CBD to your daily routine.
Although the WHO publication does confirm that some CBD users have reported minor side effects after ingesting large amounts of CBD oil, most of our survey respondents (93%) have not. However, you might want to consider cutting back your serving size if you experience stomach upset, diarrhea, fatigue, or a dry mouth.
Why Choose CBDistillery™ CBD Products?
Although the CBD industry is largely unregulated, reputable CBD companies like CBDistillery™ are firmly committed to providing high-quality CBD products.
CBDistillery™ is a vertically integrated company, which means we have full control over every aspect of production. CBDistillery™ hemp-derived products are crafted from non-GMO industrial hemp seeds cultivated on American soil. We rely on natural farming practices, food-safe extraction methods, and every product is third-party tested to ensure consistent quality, purity, and potency.
Our company was also one of the first to receive certification from the US Hemp Authority™, a distinction only achieved by companies meeting stringent guidelines covering all aspects of production. You can confirm our commitment to quality by scanning the QR code on your product label or viewing the third-party test results on our product pages.
Could CBD Be Your Natural Solution for Relaxation?
As 2020 stress levels climb, the number of medications prescribed for anxiety symptoms and sleeplessness have increased by double digits.4 Although these pharmaceutical options are known to help people relax, they also carry a high risk of side effects, including dizziness, slurred speech, blurred vision, and chemical dependency. That’s why so many health care professionals stress the value of yoga, deep breathing, meditation, and other natural solutions that help with relaxation.
Could CBD help you relax? It could. The only way you’ll know for sure is to try it. Most CBD users responding to our survey report favorable results within 7-14 days of consistent use.
If you’re intrigued by what you’ve learned about CBD so far, consider downloading The Ultimate CBD User Guide to learn more about the health and wellness potential of this non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Then consider browsing our selection of full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and pure CBD isolate products.
Additional Sources:
- American Psychological Association. (2020) Stress in America 2020.
- Healthline. A Pietrangelo. (2020 March 29) The Effects of Stress on Your Body.
- World Health Organization. (2018 June) Cannabidiol (CBD) Critical Review Report.
- The Wall Street Journal. A Petersen. (2020 May 25) More People Are Taking Drugs for Anxiety and Insomnia, and Doctors Are Worried.
The post Feeling Tense, Stressed, or Overwhelmed? How CBD Could Help You Feel More Relaxed appeared first on #CBDMOVEMENT™ BLOG.