Stress is a part of life. It's the body's physical and emotional response to potentially harmful situations. Everyone experiences it from time to time, but for some people, stressful circumstances may trigger a serious mental health crisis.
Chronic stress is also hard on your body. When you're constantly under stress, your immune system becomes weakened. Depression, anxiety, and heart-related conditions can also stem from unmanaged stress.
While there are medications that treat chronic stress, they come with the risk of serious side effects. Fortunately, CBD for stress management can help build the body's resistance to stress-inducing stimuli. It might just be an effective and safe alternative for managing stress.
How Does CBD Impact Stress?
Research studies show that CBD may help reduce chronic stress by directly affecting the amygdala, a part of the brain that triggers fear responses. When people are chronically stressed, activity in this area becomes abnormal and they tend to respond more negatively when under stress again.
CBD calms down this part of the brain by changing how neurotransmitters interact in the amygdala, particularly serotonin. This change helps lower the symptoms of stress, anxiety, PTSD, or any other related symptoms you might be experiencing.
What Does the Research Show?
While the research is still in its infancy, there are multiple studies that show CBD's impact on stress and anxiety. Here are some of the key findings:
- CBD in doses ranging from 300 to 600 mg showed promise in reducing anxiety in stressful social situations.
- CBD may help reduce behavioral and physiological signs of stress, including elevated heart rate.
- CBD may help alleviate signs of PTSD.
- CBD has anti-anxiety qualities that are influenced by limbic and paralimbic brain regions.
Which CBD Products Work Best For Stress?
Your lifestyle plays an important role in how you cope with stress. For some, CBD oil might be the best way to manage moods and reduce anxiety. Others may prefer topicals that are designed to give sustained relief over time.
An oral CBD tincture is great for people who want a low dose of CBD throughout the day, while topicals are a wonderful option for someone who is experiencing muscle tension—which can lead to anxiety.
Everyone's needs are different, so don't be afraid to experiment with your CBD products. The important thing is to find what works for you and use that in place of harsh pharmaceuticals or risky treatments.
How To Use CBD For Stress Relief
Taking CBD for stress and anxiety is a great start, but making sure you're following the best practices can make it more effective. One of the most important things to remember is to not go overboard.
A little goes a long way. If you're taking too much, it can actually have the opposite effect on your body. To avoid this, start with the lowest dose possible. Track your response to the product and stick with that dose until you feel comfortable increasing it.
When should you use CBD for stress management? That might be different from person to person, but a good rule of thumb is to take it about an hour before a stressful event. Don't be afraid to play with your schedule. Try taking it before bed to help you sleep or as soon as you feel a bit of stress creeping in.
Get The Most Out Of CBD For Stress and Anxiety
Combining CBD with other alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, and massage is a great way to take full advantage of CBD's healing properties.
Stress management is about restoring balance in your body, mind, and spirit. Using CBD for stress relief helps the body adapt more readily to stressful stimuli by calming down excess activity in the amygdala.
This means CBD can help you feel less stress and anxiety by reducing the impact stress has on your body. The more balanced your body's systems are, the easier it is to handle life's unexpected challenges.
When combined with CBD, these natural remedies can help reduce the amount of stress and anxiety you feel on a daily basis:
- Meditation: Studies found that regular meditation sessions can help reduce cortisol (the primary stress hormone) levels in the bloodstream
- Yoga: Regular yoga practice has been shown to decrease anxiety and improve mood
- Massage: Touch is powerful, and massage eases muscle tension while activating pleasure centers in the brain
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils like lavender, bergamot, and orange may help fight anxiety when inhaled
- Journaling: Spending time writing has been shown to improve mood and reduce levels of stress
- Exercise: Moving your body improves brain function, balances hormones, and reduces pain
Stress management is important, even if you're not dealing with a mental health crisis. Chronically stressed people are more likely to develop psychiatric conditions that require medication down the line. CBD can help you stay calm under pressure, both mentally and physically. If stress is taking a toll on your life, it's time to make a change.