If you’re stressed out, you’re not alone. Over half of US adults reported feeling stressed at some point last year. Though the causes of stress vary, the symptoms are usually pretty similar. Increased heart rate, troubled breathing, restlessness, and racing thoughts are characteristic signs of stress.
As you know, the physical sensations that come with stress can be scary and uncomfortable. Fortunately, CBD may help reduce stress symptoms quickly and naturally. In fact, around two-thirds of the people who take CBD use it for stress, so it must work, right? Today, we’ll discuss the science behind CBD for stress and outline a few things you can do to help manage your stress with CBD.
How Effective is CBD for Stress Relief?
Numerous studies suggest that CBD may be good for stress relief. For example, this paper tells us that CBD reduces stress caused by things like public speaking and burnout syndrome. Other studies analyzing animals like dogs and rodents arrived at the same conclusion, which makes us think that CBD for stress relief is more than just the placebo effect.
How CBD Helps Manage Stress
When we experience stress, our bodies produce chemicals like adrenalin and cortisol. This triggers our primal “fight or flight” response, which is how our bodies prepare us for danger. When the stress subsides, our bodies produce other chemicals called endocannabinoids that help us calm down. Sometimes, our bodies have difficulty creating or absorbing these chemicals, which prolongs feelings of stress even after the stressor goes away. Over time, this could cause problems like chronic stress, anxiety, or burnout.
Interestingly, CBD helps the body produce and use these calming chemicals more effectively. This helps explain why CBD is so good at reducing stress symptoms quickly. Though it can’t take away the stressor itself (you’ll still have to give that speech, for example), it can help reduce your jitters and calm those pesky butterflies in your stomach.
Factors that Affect CBD’s Stress-Relief Potential
There are a few things to consider when using CBD for stress relief. First, only consume high-quality products with verifiable lab results available. Unfortunately, there are a lot of sub-par CBD products on the market that don’t contain the same levels of CBD listed on their labels. To get the most out of your CBD experience, refer to the product’s Certificate of Analysis to ensure you’re consuming what you think you are.
Next, think about how you’re consuming the product, or as scientists like to call it, its “Route of Administration.” For example, did you know that sucking on a CBD gummy until it's gone will work quicker than chewing and swallowing it? That’s because the gummy skips the whole metabolic process when it absorbs through the gums instead of the gut. The point is that how you consume CBD will change how you experience its effects.
Finally, remember that many things can affect how CBD works in your body. Metabolism, body composition, or other drug interactions may make CBD more or less effective for stress relief. To determine what works best for you, track your stress patterns in a health journal or ask your doctor for advice.
Final Thoughts About CBD For Stress Relief
CBD cannot make a stressful situation less stressful, but it can help ease the symptoms of stress by reducing your heart rate and stabilizing your mood. If you’re one of the millions who regularly experience stress-related symptoms, try Copoeia’s Serenity Soothing Calm Gummies. Our gummies are specially formulated using the perfect blend of all-natural, calming Passion Flower and Kentucky-grown broad-spectrum hemp CBD extract. Eat one 25mg gummy as needed for quick relief, or add them to your daily wellness routine for continued relief throughout the day.