Stress + CBD

Stress: one word that can trigger a familiar feeling in all of us. Feeling stressed isn’t something we strive for; however, it’s a part of our daily lives that most of us can and should be managed. When we feel stressed, it’s a signal that there is an imbalance in our lives. This means it's essential to understand where it comes from and, most importantly, how to alleviate it. 

What is Stress?

Stress is how your body responds when you feel threatened, whether that’s IRL or just in your head. When something makes you feel angry, frustrated, nervous, or overwhelmed, it often manifests itself as stress.

Ever felt so nervous you couldn’t speak? When your body detects stress, your brain responds with hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Those hormones are responsible for the idea of “fight or flight” and can cause some people to freeze up due to nerves. 

When it comes to our daily stress, most of us deal with acute stress. Acute stress is the most common form of stress, and you may know it best in situations like getting a text saying, “we need to talk.” That feeling you get after you see that text? That’s acute stress. Everyone experiences it, and while our bodies are designed to handle it, sometimes the amount of stress we’re under in modern life can feel overwhelming. 

Common Stressors

Stressors are all around us and unique to every individual, so by identifying yours, you can try to avoid that overwhelming feeling.

Work is one of the most common stressors in everyday life. While we can’t just quit our jobs when it feels like too much, we can take steps to manage our work/life balance and alleviate some stress.

Relationships are also another contributing factor to stress in our daily lives, and financial issues, which can usually go hand in hand. Starting a family, a rocky relationship, or losing a job are all stressors that we can all face at some point in our lives.

Even social media can be a stressor! Comparing yourself to others or worrying about what someone thinks can be a crucial factor in stress. Unplugging after a certain amount of time or taking a break from social media for a few days can do wonders for your stress levels.

What Does Stress Science Say?

Stress can become problematic when you have no time to recover after constant negative tension. Did you know that 70%-90% of all doctor’s visits are for stress-related ailments?

It’s hard to escape it!  Your body responds to stress by releasing hormones that increase your heart and breathing rates and ready your muscles to respond. Yet if your stress response doesn’t stop firing, and these stress levels stay elevated far longer than is necessary for survival, it can take a toll on your health and disrupt your body’s ideal state of homeostasis. Chronic stress can cause a variety of symptoms and affect your overall well-being with symptoms that include:

• depression

• anxiety

• headaches

• insomnia

• irritability

CBD + Stress

Remember when we mentioned getting your body to a homeostasis state? Well, that’s where CBD can help. The endocannabinoid receptors in our brain control emotional behavior, mood, fear, and stress. When CBD activates them, they release anandamide, making you feel happier and less stressed. A 2010 study showed that CBD helps to reduce anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder (S.A.D.). This study found that CBD not only helped reduce anxiety but also changed the brain’s reaction to stress. Another study in 2011 found that CBD helped reduce the nerves of those about to speak publicly. Whether you choose an oil or capsules, CBD could be a positive remedy to your stress.

Everyone experiences stress differently. However, one thing is certain: we all deal with stress daily. From our work and home life, to social media, stressors are all around us. By identifying what is causing stress and managing it with CBD, you can take control of the stress in your life and feel lighter + brighter.