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Why Your Mental Health Can't Be Ignored: CBD for Sustainable Support
With stress on the rise even before COVID knocked us for a loop, maintaining emotional balance and a healthy mindset was finally on our radars as core components of health and longevity. The challenge for many of us, though, is finding a gentle and sustainable approach that doesn’t rely on numbing ourselves (or turning to potentially harmful pharmaceuticals). That’s a major reason why so many people are turning to CBD for mental health. Whether in the form of CBD oil or other CBD ingestibles, this all-natural plant medicine is currently under intense study for its potential benefits, including supporting better mood and overall wellbeing. If you’re considering trying CBD for stress, here’s what the current science tells us. CBD for Mental Health: The Concept of Cannabinoids When it comes to using cannabis or hemp products, it’s important to understand the concept of cannabinoids and how they interact with the body. A family of compounds occurring naturally in plants, the cannabinoids include THC and CBD, the two major medically active components of the cannabis plant. THC is the cannabinoid associated with the plant’s characteristic “high,” as well as some analgesic effects that our classic Releaf Balm captures. By comparison, CBD imparts at most an extremely mild psychoactivity, sometimes described as a gentle cerebral “buzz.” But there’s even more to CBD. Mental health and mood support are especially important as we approach two years of COVID, the cannabinoid has demonstrated a special affinity for boosting a healthy mood and vitality. Some people labor under the misconception that CBD is merely a “medical” version of THC. In fact, the two major cannabinoids interact with our bodies in very different ways, even when they’re used to combat the same symptoms (such as aches and strains). What’s more, the oil used in our line of CBD Releaf products is made using CBD harvest from USA-grown, non-GMO hemp flowers. While it’s a close cousin of the cannabis plant, hemp doesn’t contain appreciable amounts of THC. That’s one reason our CBD products can be shipped nationwide. So if you’ve found in the past that THC’s intoxicating buzz is distracting or otherwise unwelcome, you may find that CBD’s mild soothing effects are more to your liking.
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How CBD Supports a More Balanced Outlook
With 2021 behind us, it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and look for ways to get a fresh start. If you’re still experiencing a bit of the winter blues or any other kind of strain on your mental state, we’d like to propose a simple strategy for increasing your wellbeing: CBD for stress relief. If you’ve leaned on our best-in-class CBD topicals in the past, you know that CBD can be a game-changer when it comes to supporting achy muscles and tired joints. As a growing body of clinical evidence suggests, one of the very best CBD oil uses may be inside our bodies, where it may diminish feelings of stress and support a better mood. Here’s what the latest research says about this gentle and all-natural response to life’s many ups and downs. CBD for Stress Relief: A True Partnership with the Body Even in the best of times, most of us experience some form of stress. According to one survey, over three quarters of us feel stressed at least one day in a typical week. Over time, that feeling can sap our emotional wellbeing, leading to what so many of us know simply as “the blues.” CBD can help. As a cannabinoid, a natural plant compound derived either from cannabis or its cousin, hemp, CBD interfaces with a regulatory network in our bodies called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). While the discovery of this bodily system only dates back to the 1990s, scientists now believe that the ECS is of crucial importance, helping us modulate critical functions including pain, memory, sleep, immune response, and several others still. If you picked up on the similarities between “cannabinoid” and “endocannabinoid,” you’re catching on. Because CBD is a cannabinoid, it’s “speaking the same language” as our body’s regulatory network. Compared with many pharmaceutical responses to stress, CBD offers a gentler approach, working in synergy with our body rather than overriding its natural responses. If you’re interested in trying CBD for stress relief, it’s important to note that unlike its cousin THC, CBD’s effect is often described as a very gentle cerebral “buzz.” That’s one reason our award-winning CBD products can be shipped nationwide. Oh and by the way: the shipping’s on us if you choose one of our Subscribe and Save packages! So, are you wondering how to use CBD oil to support wellbeing? Here’s what the current research says. CBD for Stress Relief: Clinical Evidence We’ve written before on the intersection between CBD and mental health support. Given the ongoing stresses associated with the COVID pandemic, CBD oil is already having a positive impact, helping frontline medical workers cope with emotional exhaustion and symptoms of burnout. Separately, another recent study found that: “cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychotomimetic and nonaddictive main component of the Cannabis sativa plant, reverses anxiety-like behavior.” This additional research slots in nicely with a pair of animal-model studies that suggest CBD acts like an antidepressant in our bodies. A new way to fight the blues (that won’t leave you feeling groggy, disoriented, or distracted)? Yes, please! CBD for Wellbeing: In Conclusion We sincerely hope this post gives you inspiration as to how you can keep a positive outlook and achieve a balanced mental state, despite life’s challenges. We invite you to try out our line of exceptional CBD ingestibles, designed to support your overall health and wellness. If you have any other questions about how to use CBD oil for a better mood, just ask. We’re always here to help!
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Cannabis and the Gender Gap: How Men and Women Use It Differently
Even as research into cannabis unlocks a number of potential uses for cannabinoids such as CBD, there's one little-noticed detail: Men and women tend to use it for different reasons. Let's drill down into the stats to see how different genders use it (and how they could derive even greater benefits from this gentle and sustainable plant-based medication). CBD for Women, CBD for Men: What the Science Tells Us In previous posts, we’ve focused on some of the many benefits of using cannabis to boost mood and support better sleep, among others. In addition to supporting deeper, more restorative sleep, clinical studies suggest that this remarkable plant-based compound has a role to play in reducing the changes in wellness associated with aging, empowering faster muscle recovery from overexertion, and supporting our mental health and wellness. Exciting as these developments are, they ignore an intriguing fact about CBD for women: They tend to use it differently than do men. Here are a few examples of how—and why—this might be the case. When it comes to CBD for stress relief, a study indicates that women tend to absorb it differently than men. One study done at Yale’s Cchool of Medicine suggested that women absorb more CBD more quickly than men, and researchers there hypothesize that women may in fact derive greater anxiety relief from CBD as compared to men. This idea is supported by a cross sectional study that found, in general, women tend to use CBD for sleep and stress relief, while men tend to use it to relieve post-workout muscle discomfort. In addition, that study suggested that women tend to derive more subjective effects from CBD, an effect generally supported by the Yale study. But here’s a crucial aspect of that study: One of its goals is to determine whether there’s a “ceiling” on the effects of CBD for stress relief in women. According to Dr. Sarah Lichtenstein, who headed the Yale study: “If there is a point at which higher doses trigger a neurobiological mechanism that blocks the anti-anxiety effects of CBD, that could very likely lead to different effects for women and men.” This would be an illuminating discovery. As we’ve shared previously, while CBD is well-tolerated even in very large doses, it’s important to determine your optimal dosage for best results. When it comes to CBD for men, the trend appears to be more towards treatment of specific complaints—such as helping overexerted muscles recover—than for generalized health and wellness support. There’s another intriguing detail about CBD for men: According to one animal study, CBD may suppress the natural breakdown of testosterone in the liver. Does this have any effect on libido? It’s hard to say, but the concentration of endocannabinoid system receptors in male sex organs suggests that cannabinoids such as CBD have a role to play in regulating the production and breakdown of this crucial sex hormone. The fact that CBD may reduce levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol—a known suppressant of testosterone production—may add weight to this argument. CBD for Women, CBD for Men: Shopping Differences The differences between men and women do not stop at how active compounds from cannabis may work in their bodies: Men and women tend to purchase differently, too. While historically there have been more male than female cannabis consumers, more and more women are seeking out cannabis to support health and wellness. When shopping, women purchase topicals, tinctures and edibles more frequently than men. In contrast, men purchase more cannabis flower and concentrates. CBD for Health and Wellness: In Conclusion We’re passionate about our customers’ health and wellness and the potential of this all-natural plant medicine. Do you have other questions about how to use CBD to support your health and wellness? Reach out anytime; we’re always here to help!
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3 Therapeutic Benefits And Uses of CBD
CBD oil’s therapeutic potential has made it one of the most talked-about natural remedies around. From stress to sleep to aches, there are many potential uses for CBD oil. Here are three possible therapeutic benefits of CBD you should know about. CBD For Stress What’s all this chatter about using CBD for anxiety and depression? CBD’s anti-stress effects have been well documented and many people feel that it can help them to calm down and relax, especially when they’re super stressed. CBD for Better Sleep Sleep troubles can often be a side effect of an overstimulated mind. A racing mind that won’t quiet down can make it really difficult to fall asleep. Many people use CBD to calm their thoughts. Much anecdotal evidence indicates that sleep seems to come easier for many people who take CBD regularly. Research has begun to support this. CBD won’t directly sedate you or make you feel sleepy, but if you’re struggling to quiet your mind at bedtime, it may be able to help. Many describe the feeling they get from CBD as a sense of relaxation. Since CBD edibles produce longer-lasting effects, CBD pills for sleep may be a better option for those struggling to stay asleep throughout the night. CBD pills for sleep (capsules) are also a good alternative for those who don’t like the taste or texture of CBD oil. CBD Drops for Comfort and Mobility Cannabis has been used to promote better mobility for bodies for thousands of years. It is believed that CBD’s benefits come through its interactions with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a physiological network that keeps the body in balance by managing things such as sleep, appetite, stress, and even physical discomfort. Many people find that CBD drops for pain and other discomforts can help them better manage their symptoms of discomfort both immediately and consistently over time. This may be, at least in part, due to CBD’s joint health effects. CBD’s Possible Side Effects While CBD may be generally safe to use, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any factors to consider before digging in. Like with anything we put in or on our bodies, CBD oil can have some side effects. Though fairly uncommon, you may experience one or more minor side effects of CBD use, including dry mouth, headache, nausea, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, or fatigue. The higher your dosage, the more likely you are to experience some of the side effects of CBD oil. That’s why it’s important to start low and go slow when experimenting with dosages. If your body isn’t accustomed to a higher dose, it’s important to gradually increase the amount you ingest each time you take a dose as you’re figuring out what works best for your body. If you do begin to experience any of these side effects, it's a good idea to lower your dose. We hear stories of improved quality of life regularly, and we’d love to hear about your experience or make some recommendations based on your personal needs. Just drop us a line.
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How to Add CBD to Your Daily Wellness Routine
Have you felt the benefits of CBD but wondered if taking it every day is a good idea? In the past few years, a wealth of clinical studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of daily CBD, from lending us support when we’re feeling stressed to helping us decrease the blues, and even helping us contend with cramps. As many of us are finding, when you take CBD daily, you reap long-term benefits. But as both our common sense (and recent studies) suggest, not all CBD is created equal. Where your CBD supplement comes from as well as how it’s grown, harvested, and processed all make a big difference in its effectiveness. Here at Papa & Barkley, we believe that for our products to be good for you, they have to be good for everyone: Our customers, our workers, and our neighbors. So with that in mind, we’d like to share some of the reasons why adding CBD to routine activities such as exercise, yoga, and your sleep hygiene routine can support lasting health and wellness. Benefits of Daily CBD: The Power of Regular Support If you’ve ever visited our CBD Blog, you probably know that CBD—like THC, the compound responsible for the cannabis plant’s psychoactive “high”—is a cannabinoid, or one of the major “active ingredients” of cannabis and its plant cousin, hemp. And as such, it interacts with our bodies through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a vital regulatory network that helps our bodies stay healthy, regulate memory and sleep, and maintain homeostasis, among other functions. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t make you feel “high.” Instead, most users report a very gentle cerebral “buzz” or no noticeable cerebral shifts—just an ability to feel more calm, grounded, and centered. Given what we know about the role of the endocannabinoid system, that shouldn’t come as a major surprise. After all, all the processes we named a moment ago—immune function, sleep, and memory, for a start—work best when we’re feeling balanced and well regulated. That’s a major reason why many people feel that using a CBD supplement on an ongoing basis is best for their wellbeing. To cite one example, a 2019 study found that taking CBD for at least a month had a significant effect on reducing social anxiety disorder (SAD) among a group of teens. Another study on the use of CBD daily for sleep disorders found significant improvements after long-term dosing. Of course, with any supplement it’s wise to consider potential long-term risks. That said, study after study suggests that CBD is a safe, non-toxic, and well-tolerated compound. When taken daily in CBD oil, CBD gummies, or CBD softgel or capsule formats, they can support our wellness on an ongoing basis with minimal side effects and at relatively low doses. Using a Daily CBD Supplement: Choosing a Format Unlike our original (and award-winning!) CBD Releaf Balm, ingestible CBD works on the principle that cannabinoids such as CBD are just as effective systemically inside our bodies. That said, there are differences between using CBD topicals and CBD ingestibles. Because the medicine in cannabis ingestibles is processed through the stomach and liver, the onset time—or delay until it begins working—can take up to 90 minutes, and effects are long-lasting; up to 8 hours. So for best results, when you use a CBD ingestible such as our CBD Releaf Capsules, we suggest you wait at least 90 minutes before taking another dose. For even more incremental dosing, you can take CBD in liquid form, as with our CBD Releaf Oil. Because it’s offered in an easy-to-dispense oil format, there are a couple of advantages. For one thing, they offer even more flexible control over a standard capsule dosing size. For another, you can use these drops to add the power of CBD to your favorite foods or beverages. Just dispense one to two dropperfuls (1-2 ml), mix, and enjoy! Do you have more questions about specific CBD formats? In this next section, we’ll respond to specific questions we frequently receive from customers. FAQ: Common Questions About Taking CBD Daily Q: How often can I take CBD? A: As numerous studies suggest, using a CBD supplement daily poses low risk of toxicity or adverse effects. Q: How often can I take CBD oil? A: Many of our customers use CBD daily. Because CBD has been shown to be safe and generally well-tolerated, we recommend you start with a 1ml dose, then increasing over time for desired relief from symptoms. Q: How often can I take CBD gummies?Q: What’s a good CBD daily dosage? A: We recommend you start by taking two CBD gummies once a day, then increasing the dosage as needed. We recommend a consistent, daily CBD routine as this helps increase the efficacy of the product and produces noticeable long-term results. Q: What’s a good CBD daily dosage? A: Because everyone’s body is different, there’s no single recommended dosage. If you’re using a CBD oil, we recommend taking one to two dropperfuls, then repeating as needed throughout the day. For capsules, we recommend a single capsule at a time, also repeated as needed throughout the day. Taking CBD Daily: Why Pure, All-Natural Medicine Matters At Papa & Barkley, we’re committed to harnessing the full power of plants as simply and safely as possible. Our whole-plant infusions contain the full spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids present in each and every plant we harvest. And we’re committed to solventless extraction, which minimizes the impact of production on our people (and our planet!). Do you have other questions about taking CBD daily? Just ask! We’re here to help.
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Top 5 Ways CBD Relieved My Work Stress
Even before COVID arrived to disrupt our professional lives, work-related stress was a major factor in many people’s lives. According to the American Institute of Stress, some 40% of workers report their job is “very or extremely stressful.” It’s a serious and growing problem, and one that doesn’t receive the attention it should. Fortunately, there’s a potential solution in the form of a gentle, all-natural plant product: CBD. Found in both the cannabis and hemp plants, it’s a compound that exerts some truly astonishing effects on our bodies and our minds. Whether taken in the form of CBD oil, as an ingestible, or used as a topical, it’s currently being researched for a wealth of potential benefits. Does CBD work for stress? We believe it does, and new research is mounting to support this claim. In today’s article, we’ll share ways we, at Papa & Barkley, leverage the power of CBD for stress in our lives. CBD for Stress: Sleep Support Good sleep quality is one of the central pillars of our lives, both on and off the job. Unfortunately, all too many of us suffer from insomnia, a family of sleep disorders that can sap our strength and make a normal workday feel like a grind. According to a recent study, CBD can offer support by improving our sleep and by reducing stress while we’re awake. CBD for Stress: Taming Discomfort Because work-related stress can present as chronic pain or inflammation, it’s important to keep on top of this nagging and often distracting symptom. Because of CBD’s demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, many of us trust it to help get a handle on chronic aches and strains. CBD for Stress: Better Mood, Better You Unlike its cousin THC—the cannabinoid responsible for the cannabis plant’s characteristic “high”—CBD imparts at most a very gentle psychoactivity, sometimes described as a mild cerebral “buzz.” This helps make it a powerful, all-natural, allday and everyday mood supporter—as evidenced by several clinical studies. Because it’s gentle and non-distracting, CBD can help support a positive mood and outlook without distracting psychoactivity. CBD for Stress: Winding Down After the workday is done, CBD can help revitalize and rejuvenate tired joints and muscles. Whether used as a powerful topical or as a fragrant addition to a bath, using CBD oil is an all-natural way to restore balance, recover from the workday, and ease your way into restful and restorative sleep. CBD Dosage for Stress: Best Practices Because everyone’s a little bit different, there’s no “standard dosage” of CBD. While it’s believed to be impossible to “overdose” on CBD, we generally advise our customers to consult the product packaging for guidelines, taking into account their weight and physical condition. Keep in mind that, as several studies have demonstrated, many of us experience greater symptomatic relief by using the minimum amount of cannabis needed to provide the relief we’re seeking. As we always say: Start low and go slow with dosing. Because each of us is different, the optimal dosage and form of cannabis varies depending on each person’s needs, goals, and individual physiologies. Whichever of our best-in-class CBD products you try, you can feel good knowing that our plants are sourced from growers invested in their environment and their communities. And we feel so passionately about our products and our processes that we offer a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed policy. If any of the products you purchase through our website don’t live up to your expectations, simply return them for a full refund. Do you have any other questions about leveraging the power of CBD for work-related stress or other symptoms? Just ask! We’re here to help.
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Benefits of Cannabis: Booze Alternatives That Can Still Take the Edge Off
If you’re thinking about ways to shed stress that don’t involve alcohol, you’re in good company! With the growing awareness that there are alcohol alternatives that won’t leave you feeling fuzzy the next morning, many people are investigating the benefits of cannabis, meditation, and other sustainable lifestyle choices. And what they’re finding is that products such as CBD oil promote gentle, sustainable, and all-natural relief from muscle strain, stress, and other common complaints. Ready to try something new? Here are five ways to take off the edge, sans alcohol. Try CBD for Muscular Discomfort To an extent, we’re still learning just what all CBD is capable of. But thus far, much of the research around CBD has to do with its ability to relieve aches and strains. And one of the simplest and most effective ways to use it is by applying it directly to the source. After all, Papa & Barkley made our name with our best-in-class Releaf Balm, a handcrafted topical salve that uses the natural anti-inflammatory power of CBD to deliver gentle, soothing, sustainable relief. Try CBD Oil for Stress As it turns out, CBD works as well from the inside as it does from the outside. And as a growing crop of studies suggests, CBD oil taken orally exhibits powerful stress-reducing effects. One such study found evidence that “strongly supports the potential for CBD as a treatment for anxiety disorders,” suggesting it may have a role to play in helping us unwind the all-natural way. If you’re interested in trying out a CBD oil to try, we’d like to recommend our popular Releaf Oils. Relying on nothing more than the power of pure, organic, USA-grown hemp flowers, oils can support your emotional wellbeing with nothing more than the power of an all-natural plant medicine. Meditation as an All-Natural Stress Reducer We’ve talked about meditation before, how this ancient practice for calming and centering ourselves delivers real-life benefits. Believe it or not, meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety levels over 60% of the time it’s employed. Now that’s a free, easy-to-access anti-anxiety practice we can all get behind! Alcohol Alternatives: A Book Club! Especially with winter settling in, there’s no better time to start a book club with friends. Meeting in-person or virtually, reading a book with friends and then gathering to discuss it is a great way to rekindle our childhood love of reading and engage in an inspiring discussion. If you’re searching for a theme, might we suggest: Grass Roots, by Emily Dufton This engaging and highly readable tale traces the rise, fall, and rebirth of cannabis in the United States. Available from Amazon or your local bookseller. High on Design: The New Cannabis Culture, by gestalten This beautiful coffee table book is a sure sign that cannabis culture has moved way past Grateful Dead t-shirts and homemade brownies. Available from Amazon or your local bookseller. The Ultimate Guide to CBD, by Jamie Evans With interest in CBD sky-high, it’s perfect timing to dive into the science and the lore of this fascinating compound. Available from Amazon or your local bookseller. Alternatives to Alcohol: Virtual Game Night While Covid put a crimp on the age-old pursuit of getting together for laughs, we’re grateful to the programming whizzes who create online team events to help us unwind. Gather a pack of your friends together, log on and get cracking on an online murder mystery, a pub-style trivia night, or even an online version of the ever-popular Catan series of games! Do you have other questions about using CBD or other non-alcohol related activities to unwind and improve the quality of your life? Just ask! We’re here to help.
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Surprising Ways Cannabis Can Help You Achieve Your Health Goals
My, how times have changed! Only a few years ago, many people described cannabis as a “gateway drug,” one that inevitably led to physical (and even moral) decline. Fortunately for those of us who believe in the many possible health benefits of cannabis use, a wealth of clinical studies supports a simple truth: There are many potential medical benefits of cannabis, and this ancient, all-natural plant medicine is helping millions of us to get fit, boost our happiness, and achieve our health goals. In today’s post, we’ll run down just a few of the benefits of cannabis. Let’s begin with a refresher on CBD and THC, the two major “active ingredients” in cannabis, and how each impacts our bodies and minds. Understanding the Concept of the Cannabinoid CBD If you know anything about cannabis, it’s probably that it gets you “high.” The truth is more complicated than that. But there’s much more to cannabis than just THC, the cannabinoid known for psychoactive effects. You’ve probably heard of CBD, the second-most prevalent cannabinoid. While some people find it imparts a very mild “buzziness,” CBD doesn’t get you high. What’s more, it’s associated with many of the potential medical benefits of cannabis, including: Treating sore or overstretched muscles Easing stress and nerves Improving the quality of our sleep While most strains of cannabis contain both THC and CBD, a few enterprising companies—including yours truly—are harnessing cutting-edge technology and the goodness of whole-plant medicines to create products designed to deliver the benefits of cannabis using only CBD. How might they help you achieve your health goals? Let us count the ways! Health Benefits of Cannabis Use: Yoga, Exercise, and Working Out Because CBD is so effective at treating overworked muscles, it’s especially useful as a topical treatment right before and/or after a workout. Applied directly to tender muscles, products such as our original Releaf Balm and Releaf Body Oil deliver potent and lasting relief in a relatively short period of time. Then there’s the gentle focusing and energizing effects of CBD. As we’ve shared before, using cannabis with or without THC can help us deepen our wellness routines and quests for self improvement. Many fans find that it sharpens focus and concentration, allowing us to better tune in to the subtle signals our bodies send during exertion. Health Benefits of Cannabis Use: Treating Stubborn Stress “Being well” isn’t just about working out. Especially in the midst of a global pandemic, many of us grapple with heightened stress and nerves. And while researchers are still unlocking the secrets of cannabinoids such as CBD, a growing number of studies point to its usefulness in combating stress and similar symptoms. One test designed to simulate the challenges of public speaking found that moderate doses of CBD proved effective in reducing subjects’ stress. And, as a recent large-scale study demonstrated, there’s a large body of anecdotal evidence suggesting that many of us get lasting relief from stress through CBD products. Medical Benefits of Cannabis: Potential Support for Weight Loss Here’s a potential benefit of cannabis that may surprise you. In stark contrast to lingering stereotypes about cannabis’ association with the “munchies,” a large-scale study from 2019 suggested that those who enjoy cannabis are less likely to be overweight or obese. Researchers analyzed the body mass index (BMI) of some 33,000 participants. Overall findings showed: “Cannabis users, even those who just started, were more likely to be at a normal, healthier weight and stay at that weight.” Now, that’s some news you can really—as they say—stick in your pipe and smoke! As every body is a little different, we offer various strengths so you can find the perfect fit. Do you have any other questions about the medical benefits of cannabis? Just ask! We’re here to help you achieve your happiest, healthiest self!
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CBD and Stress: The Nitty-Gritty
Millions of Americans already trust cannabis to help with stress. As we’ve shared before, certain cannabis compounds—specifically the cannabinoid CBD—seem to promote better mood and emotional well-being, and studies suggest that CBD has stress-relieving properties. Important though this is, it doesn’t tell us how CBD works in partnership with our body’s natural signaling system. And part of the answer may lie in the ways that CBD interacts with cortisol, the most important "stress hormone.” In today’s post, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of hormones and cannabinoids. And we’ll explore the endocannabinoid system to try and understand exactly why CBD for stress relief can be such a winning combination. Cannabis for Wellness: The CBD vs THC Question As you probably know, CBD is one of the most important cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Current research is investigating CBD’s potential for a wide variety of therapeutic applications such as relieving discomfort and supporting better rest, among several others. The other principal cannabinoid is THC, and in some ways it couldn’t be more different than CBD. For one thing, THC imparts a euphoric and intoxicating experience. But when it comes to using cannabis for wellness—specifically to fight stress—THC may heighten anxiety rather than reduce it. According to a large-scale review of the medical literature, the effects of THC are highly dose dependent. At low doses THC can act as a mood booster while relieving tension, but at high doses THC may become anxiogenic, or produce anxiety. This is why the recommended approach of “start low and go slow” for finding the optimal amount of THC for your body is so valuable! CBD, as we mentioned, does the opposite: It tends to promote and support a general feeling of wellness and vitality. What’s more, CBD may even work in concert with THC to balance its effects. Cannabis for Wellness: CBD, Cortisol, and the Stress Response People are turning to stress relief supplements more often than ever before, and the American Psychological Association has even gone so far as to label stress a national mental health crisis. How does cortisol fit into the picture? It’s true that cortisol is often labeled as “the stress hormone,” but in fact, it has a number of valuable functions outside the “fight or flight” stress response. Cortisol helps us regulate our blood sugar and contributes to healthy metabolic function, among other things. But when the body is subjected to an excess of cortisol—typically from a stressful situation such as an emotional crisis, physical threat, or even highly intense exercise—it exerts a number of negative effects: High blood pressure, increased abdominal fat, even contributing to certain cancers and mental health disorders. Initial research suggests that CBD may impact our cortisol levels by inhibiting secretion of the hormone. One clinical study showed that blood cortisol levels were reduced in participants taking CBD, which may provide a clue as to how this compound is able to offer its mood boosting and soothing effects. CBD Stress Relief: The Effects of High Intensity Workouts High intensity workouts (working at 80-90% of your maximum heart rate) have been trending in fitness circles for years, and while they can be a great addition to your workout routine, many experts agree that they should be done in moderation. Because while pushing our bodies hard can feel satisfying—even exhilarating—the excess cortisol this produces might actually diminish the usefulness of your workout. That’s because it is cortisol’s job to spur the body into producing more energy in moments of crisis; and when we intentionally push the body to produce more energy it can break down muscle tissue to extract more usable energy in the form of sugar. Chronically elevated cortisol levels might actually work against our muscle-building and weight-loss goals. And due to the demands of day-to-day life, intense exercise is just one of many ways our cortisol levels can become chronically elevated. Seeing that leveraging cannabis for wellness is one of Papa & Barkley’s guiding principles, we want you to get the very most out of both CBD and your workout routine. Be aware that you can push your body too far and too fast, so consider instead engaging in more moderate and measured forms of exercise. On those occasions when you may go the extra mile, consider a gentle and sustainable aid to muscle recovery. CBD for Health and Wellness: In Conclusion We’re passionate about our customers’ health and wellness and the potential of this all-natural plant medicine. If you have other questions about how to use CBD to support your health and wellness, reach out. We’re always here to help!
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