If you suffer from feelings of stress and anxiety, you are far from alone. In the UK, 74% of adults who completed a recent survey reported feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope on at least one occasion during the previous 12 months.
In several recent studies CBD, the non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp, has been shown to be beneficial for those suffering from stress and anxiety. It is therefore of little surprise that CBD has seen such rapid growth in popularity with an estimated 1.3million regular users in the UK alone.
In this post, we take a closer look at the three of the reported benefits of CBD in relation to stress.
CBD and Improved Sleep
Sleep is one of the cornerstones of our health and well-being. When we miss sleep, especially over a prolonged period, our ability to deal with life’s daily problems are reduced.
A study on rats found that CBD helped them achieve REM sleep more quickly. REM sleep is the early stage of sleeping that we reach shortly after falling asleep and before we wake up. During REM sleep, our bodies rejuvenate, repair and grow.
A case study carried out in 2019 on humans looked at how CBD affected both anxiety and sleep. The study had 72 participants who had issues with anxiety, sleep or a combination of both. Anxiety scores decreased in 79.2% of respondents within the first month. An improvement in sleep was reported in 66.7% of the group.
CBD and Mental Clarity
Mental clarity allows us to deal with our day to day life in a calmer more focused manner. People who lack mental clarity may report a sensation known as ‘brain fog’ or feel easily overwhelmed and unable to make simple decisions. Mental clarity is often linked to how well we sleep.
A study into the effects of CBD on the brain discovered that it can have a positive impact on neurogenesis. This is the process by which new brain cells are created. The study, which was carried out on mice, showed subjects displaying symptoms of high anxiety showed positive reactions to CBD usage.
CBD and Oxidative Stress
Not many people will have come across the term Oxidative Stress, but it is an important factor in the proper functioning of the human body. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an excess of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable atoms which are associated with a wide range of diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Our bodies have a solution to free radicals in the form of antioxidants. Antioxidants effectively mop up free radicals, preventing them from damaging other cells. Oxidative stress arises when our bodies don’t produce enough antioxidants to deal with all the free radicals.
Typically, eating a healthy diet rich in fruit and veg combined with regular exercise is the best approach to keep your antioxidants topped up. In modern society, many of us are not eating or exercising well enough to keep our antioxidant levels where they need to be, and we are therefore more likely to experience oxidative stress.
Hemp, from which CBD is derived, contains large amounts of naturally occurring antioxidants. Several studies have shown that antioxidants derived from CBD are as good, if not better, than those from other sources in reducing and reversing the effects of oxidative stress on the body.
Taking CBD products regularly, such as those available from CBD Herbal Store, could increase your antioxidant levels and reduce the symptoms associated with oxidative stress.
