CBD Oil for Stress & Anxiety

Let’s talk about CBD. 

Let’s talk about you and me. Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be. Ok, I just dated myself.

For some people, CBD oil and cannabis products are still as taboo as that Salt-N-Pepa song was in the 90s. However, since becoming legal in Canada and in many other parts of the world, there has been a growing curiosity about how cannabis products like CBD oil can help us on a regular basis.

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a compound produced by the cannabis plant. CBD oil is the natural oil extracted from the plant’s flowers and leaves.

CBD oil is non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive. The psychoactive effects of a cannabis plant come from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is absent from CBD oil in most cases.

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The Endocannabinoid System

Friends, I am super excited about the endocannabinoid system. It’s a lovely illustration of our beautiful connection with our living planet and how there are natural healing plants everywhere with compounds that fit oh so perfectly into the human body’s receptors.

First of all… Cannabinoids. What are they?

Cannabinoids are compounds found in plants, such as cannabis, as well as in our bodies and those of other mammals!

Plant-produced cannabinoids are called phyto-cannabinoids. The most common ones in cannabis are THC and CBD.

Endogenous cannabinoids (the ones in our bodies) are called endocannabinoids. The two best known ones are anandamide (AEA: also known as the bliss molecule) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG). These act as messenger molecules in the body. 

Now we explore the magical endocannabinoid system (ECS)

The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain balance of all internal systems (like keeping temperature stable, regulating the pH of the blood, hormone balance, balancing multiple organ systems, etc) despite changes in the external environment.

That’s a pretty important job!

Research on this system is fairly new (only a few decades old) but as of now, there are two know cannabinoid receptors in the body, called CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located mainly in the central nervous system and CB2 receptors are found in the immune system and organs.

When there are changes in the external environment and in the body, endocannabinoids are created. These molecules bind to the cannabinoid receptors, which then trigger specific reactions that help the body get back into balance (homeostasis). So amazing! You can see why the health of the endocannabinoid system is essential.

When we consume cannabinoids like CBD in proper amounts, we can support our endocannabinoid systems, encouraging the body’s adaptability and homeostasis.

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How CBD Oil Helps With Stress & Anxiety

Supports the Endocannabinoid System

Now seems like an especially good time to focus on reaching balance and homeostasis of the body, mind and spirit. With so many things in flux, a healthy endocannabinoid (ECS) system is our best friend, as it can help regulate certain functions in the body that can affect our mood and sense of wellbeing.

Happy Hormone Balancing

Cannabinoid receptors are found on serotonin neurons (the happy hormones). Since cannabinoids modulate these neurons, increasing or decreasing serotonin levels to produce the necessary balance, CBD may do the same. This balance leads to reduced stress and anxiety.

Neuroprotectant

Chronic stress and anxiety can cause damage to the brain and nervous system. CBD oil can help to reduce this damage and encourages the growth and development of new neurons. CBD oil’s brain and nervous system support helps to stabilize mood, making it easier to deal with stressful situations.

Antioxidant

CBD’s antioxidant properties help reduce oxidative stress on the nervous system, minimizing both the physical and psychological effects of stress.

Anti-inflammatory

Mild inflammation of the brain caused by anything from allergies, food sensitivities, pollution, medication, stress or injury can exacerbate anxiety by causing a breakdown of signalling between cells. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties help to calm the inflammation and reduce anxiety.

Helps With Sleep

Anxiety can lead to sleepless nights, which can then lead to more anxiety, and the cycle is vicious. A lack of restorative rest makes everyday situations more difficult to deal with, both mentally and physically. CBD’s calming and anxiety-reducing qualities can really help us get to sleep and stay asleep, promoting energy and mental balance for the day ahead.

Calyx: My Favourite CBD Oil

I have used CBD oil for a lot of things: stress, anxiety, sleep, pain. In my journey of trying out many products, I have had bottles that tasted good, tasted weird, had no scent or smelled bad, that were mixed with a better or less desirable carrier oil, and that had different potencies. 

I bought a bottle of Calyx CBD oil from a local health food store one day and I was hooked. I really like the purity of this oil. The taste and smell are neutral and they offer their CBD oil with specific potencies to suit individual needs. 

Calyx CBD oil is sourced from non-GMO, organically grown hemp, which is really important, as we want to avoid nasty, toxic pesticides and fertilizers with everything we put in or on our bodies. Because this CBD oil is derived from hemp, there’s no possibility for psychoactive effects.

Since using Calyx as my go-to CBD oil (and recommending it to everyone I know), I found out that their head office is located literally just down the street from my home. It’s just meant to be!

The Calyx CBD oil I am using now is called Focus and contains 500 mg of hemp extracted CBD. I find it’s a nice ‘middle of the road’ dosage, but they do offer lower and higher potencies, along with other products like capsules, sprays, lotions and skincare, which you can learn more about on the Calyx Website.

Respect & Care

CBD oil is great for calmness and clarity of the mind. I find it’s a versatile supplement that I use a few times per week in different situations. One thing to note is that it can cause grogginess if the dosage is too high, so start slowly and see what works for you.

As with any other supplements or medications, speak to your healthcare provider if you are taking prescription drugs and/or have an existing medical condition before using CBD oil.

Please share this article and help dissolve the stigma of using hemp and cannabis products as medicine, as they were intended.