CBD has proven its efficacy at controlling stress responses, including anxiety, neuroinflammation, and gastrointestinal tract dysfunction. It does this by augmenting basal endocannabinoid tone and inhibiting N-arachidonylethanolamine degradation.
Add CBD to your stress-management routine is an intelligent move, but make sure that you select a high-quality product and take it as directed.
1. Boost Your GABA Levels
CBD has the capacity to increase GABA levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter known to reduce neuronal excitability. Furthermore, it can enhance AEA (aka enkephalin). CBD increases levels of this stress hormone in rodents by inhibiting FAAH an enzyme responsible for breaking it down AEA; according to one study mice exposed to experimentally induced stress spent less time navigating mazes after receiving CBD treatment, with lower cortisol levels after being exposed.
CBD may help relieve anxiety by increasing GABAergic activity in the Amygdala, an area of the brain associated with fear and stress. Furthermore, CBD helps restore normal GABA signaling levels when chronic stress has caused disruptions – one major cause of anxiety.
CBD and GABA work synergistically to regulate communication between nerve cells, increasing mood, lowering stress levels and helping with sleep. At Bradford Wellness Co, we recommend adding CBD products into your self-care routine alongside techniques like meditation or yoga for increased wellbeing.
2. Improve Your Sleep
Under heavy stress, it’s crucial that you get enough restful sleep. Poor quality rest is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression; CBD has been shown to significantly enhance relaxation while simultaneously aiding your rest.
One study with college students discovered that CBD improved their sleep quality; however, another that focused on people suffering insomnia found no benefit; likely due to different methods used by both studies in measuring sleep and anxiety levels.
This latter study involved conducting a retrospective chart review on adult psychiatric patients receiving CBD as an adjunct treatment at a large outpatient psychiatric clinic, specifically to treat anxiety or sleep disorders as diagnosed by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Patients were selected based on either having anxiety disorders or sleep disorders as determined by mental health professionals (psychiatrist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant).
Researchers found that CBD significantly reduced anxiety and improved the sleep-like state by increasing nonREM sleep, altering microstructure by producing less long ripples in sleep microstructure, but did not negatively impact memory consolidation as measured by simple memories tested the following day.
3. Take CBD Sublingually
An effective CBD tincture should be taken sublingually so it can be quickly absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing first-pass metabolism in your stomach and gastrointestinal tract that significantly diminishes potency of any substances processed through its digestive enzymes.
CBD has been shown to effectively manage both behavioral and physiological responses associated with stress. CBD acts as an agonist at serotoninergic 5-HT1A receptors, decreasing stress-related gene expression in the hypothalamus while activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg), thus decreasing neuroinflammation linked to stress.
To get the best from your CBD tincture, hold it under your tongue for at least 60 seconds. While this may be challenging for some individuals, there are ways of making it simpler, including holding the tincture inside your cheek or using a product designed specifically for sublingual absorption such as Kin Slips.
4. Take CBD With Melatonin
CBD combined with melatonin can be taken to improve sleep quality and decrease anxiety symptoms, but be sure to follow any recommended dosage and precautions listed on the product label. Furthermore, using a sleep tracker or diary may help you monitor how well this combination of melatonin and CBD is working for you.
CBD has been shown to regulate abnormal stress responses by acting as a 5-HT1A receptor agonist and decreasing stress-induced changes to cortisol gene expression, heart rate and anxiety behaviors. Furthermore, CBD desensitizes transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) which has been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.
CBD can be an excellent natural way to relieve stress, but it won’t do everything on its own. Stress management is vital to leading a healthy life and maintaining mental wellbeing. Alongside CBD use, relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation and breathing exercises may also be effective ways to alleviate tension.
