Health

CBD for Calm and Focus: How It Can Help You

Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, PharmD
Written by Harris Wheless
Jeshoots com, Unsplash

As CBD products have flooded the consumer market, people are quickly finding ways that this compound might benefit them by easing symptoms from certain ailments. For those who sometimes wish they had something that could help calm them down and enhance their focus, CBD may be the answer.

Many people have trouble with distractions, feel overwhelmed by their work, or generally struggle with stress and anxiety. In these cases, the CBD gummies are an alternative supplement you might consider incorporating into your routine. CBD may help regulate your body under stressful circumstances, create a sense of calm or focus, and may be an important step in improving your quality of life.

What is CBD?

You may have heard the terms CBD, CBD oil, and hemp oil used interchangeably. However, there are important distinctions to be made between these. Don’t be fooled by brands who play fast and loose with terms and labels. They might not be taking the proper safety precautions and may be trying to sell you counterfeit products.

To clear things up a bit, cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis that is typically extracted from hemp and infused into various products. CBD has taken off recently as a wellness supplement that some are using to treat stress, anxiety disorders, sleep-deprivation, and inflammation. CBD oil is only one type of CBD product that is usually contained in a small bottle with a dropper, and it’s taken sublingually (placed under the tongue).

Related: CBD makes traveling less stressful

In order to understand the difference between hemp oil vs CBD oil you need to know a little more about cannabis. This plant comes in two main forms: marijuana and hemp, which can be distinguished by how much THC is in them. While marijuana has more than the legal limit of 0.3% THC, hemp has less than that amount. CBD is different from THC in that it has no psychoactive effects, so it can’t get you high.

Various compounds, like THC and CBD, can be extracted from the hemp plant and used to make consumer products. But if something is being marketed as hemp oil, it is probably hemp seed oil, which is extracted from a different part of the plant and contains no CBD. If you’re looking to buy CBD online, try to find brands that are transparent about what they’re putting into their products and have rigorous safety regulations—which shows they care about you and your wellbeing.

What are people using CBD for?

Now that CBD is available to take in many different forms, consumers are becoming more and more able to find something that fits their needs. People take CBD for studying, running, public speaking, better sleep, yoga, and other mindfulness practices. CBD may aid sore joints and muscles and have anti-inflammatory effects, as well as help your lack of focus, promote deeper concentration, and maybe even improve your mood.

The possible benefits of CBD are numerous, and it can potentially help you in more ways than one. It may help you get in the right mindset for yoga, a big day at the office, or keep you focused while studying for an upcoming exam. The best CBD oils has also been reported to relieve pain and anxiety, and when taken consistently it can yield great long term effects.

How to take CBD

You might be wondering how CBD works—the kinds of effects it has on the body and how it’s consumed. Well, believe it or not, we all have a system within our bodies called the endocannabinoid system that contains cannabinoid receptors that CBD interacts with. This allows the body to better regulate itself and create a sense of balance and calm.

There is evidence that CBD has the potential to lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as have other beneficial effects that can reduce anxiety and restore that feeling of sharp focus you might be looking for. It can also increase the availability of serotonin and allow it to flow more freely to the brain.

Two things you should consider when taking CBD: the dosage and the method of consumption. The dosage, or the concentration, will be listed on the label in milligrams (mg). This is the amount of CBD in the product, which can help you calculate your dose.

CBD comes in many forms and can be consumed by inhalation using a vape, dropping CBD below the tongue, massaging a topical into the skin, or ingested using an edible or capsule. Oil applied sublingually usually starts working within 20 minutes. Edibles will take a little more time to take effect, but will last longer—so you don’t have to keep puffing on a vape as you work.

What else do I need to know before using CBD?

When shopping for CBD online, first try to find a brand you think you can trust that offers the kind of products you’re looking for. You’ll want to look for brands that do third party lab testing so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality product that will produce consistent effects.

CBD has minimal side effects and is safe to take at different doses. Always start with the lowest recommended dose and work your way up incrementally from there until you find what works for you. It’s also not a bad idea to consult a doctor before you use CBD, especially if you have an existing medication it might interact with, or if you have a more serious medical condition.

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