If you’re an avid Yogi, you must have come across or overheard someone mentioning Cannabidiol (CBD) as an alternative for giving your meditations a boost. It is also believed to alleviate chronic pains and boost the quality of sleep, among other benefits.
Before buying any CBD products to use with meditation and Yoga in overcoming stress, you must be keen on the contents of the products before using them. CBD on its own is not psychoactive so, you won’t get ‘stoned’.
However, if THC levels are beyond the required amounts in the product you’re using, it’s highly probable that you’ll get specific intoxication effects similar to those of using marijuana. To avoid such situations, it’s recommendable that you review the label of the product.
Ideally, it should be zero THC as these CBD products on Botanicam. If at all THC is there, it should be very low-less than 0.3 percent.
What Causes Stress?
Stress is defined as how our body reacts to changes that require certain levels of adjustments or response. The body can depict emotional, physical, or mental reactions. Stress is, therefore, caused by changes that take place around us.
Depending on the source of stress, it can have a positive effect, thus keeping us alert and motivated to achieve set goals or avoid dangers. It is only harmful when you face multiple obstacles and no space for relaxation or relief amidst these challenges.
If extended, your body will develop an adverse stress reaction; distress. This condition can cause negative changes in the body’s equilibrium and lead to the development of different levels of pain like headache and upset stomach. It may also increase blood pressure, cause insomnia, and chest pains, among other problems.
In extreme cases, it can lead to the development of other deadly diseases like liver cirrhosis, cancer, and heart complications. Finally, it may also cause an individual to resort to substance abuse to avoid the thoughts that cause stress or prevent the pain that comes with stress.
You don’t have to go this far. If you experience stress-related symptoms like reduced energy, stomach upsets, insomnia, and chest pains, it is recommendable that you take action against it, and this is where CBD, Meditation, and Yoga also comes in.
How CBD Helps With Stress Relief
CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is a naturally occurring compound that is extracted from cannabis plants. Many research studies point out to it as a recommendable way of getting stress relief.
According to this 1995 study, it was found that it interacts with essential receptors in most vital organs of the body and the human brain to regulate stress levels and mood changes. These receptors are located in the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
To manage stress, when CBD is administered at the required levels, it can help increase serotonin levels to suppress depression and anxiety. It can also help manage Generalized Anxiety Disorder by lowering anxiety symptoms such as higher heart rates. It has also been found to be effective in regulating sleep deprivation due to anxiety.
To benefit from these effects, you must use the right dosage. Your doctor should help you figure out the correct dosage if you’re just starting. You can take Cannabidiol through any of these means;
- Allowing it to get absorbed under your tongue. You’ll need sublingual CBD for this option. Most people prefer it to other options since it preserves most of it, and effects are felt faster.
- Vaping. Here, you’ll basically be smoking a high-CBD cannabis flower using a vaporizer that is attached to a cartridge with CBD oil. This option will allow the content to be directly absorbed in the bloodstream so the effects will also be faster.
- Capsules and Pills. You’ll need to swallow the capsules or pills. Some people prefer this option since the tablets are usually small in size, thus very easy to swallow.
How Meditation Helps With Stress Relief
It is believed that meditation can help in restoring inner calmness and peace. It is also simple and very cheap since you won’t need to spend a dime on any special equipment.
Depending on your preferences, you can go with any of these forms of meditation.
- Guided meditation. Involves focusing your attention on situations, mental images, or places that make you feel relaxed.
- Mantra meditation. For this form, you’ll be repeating a specific calming phrase silently to help you wade off any distractive thoughts.
Other forms of meditation you can try include transcendental meditation, mantra meditation, Qi gong meditation, and Tai Chi, among others. You can take a recommendable CBD dosage before beginning meditation to elevate your moods and help you concentrate during the process.
How Yoga Helps With Stress Relief
Yoga will not only help you fight stress but also ensure that you keep fit and healthy. Experts recommend it, too, as a better way of dealing with stress.
It is a mind-body practice that utilizes relaxation, controlled breathing, physical poses, and meditation to reduce stress. It will also help you reduce the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
It is however not recommendable if you have or suffering any of these conditions;
- Uncontrolled blood pressure.
- High risks of getting blood clots.
- Severe osteoporosis.
- Herniated disk.
- Severe balance complications.
If medicinal hemp is allowed in your state, you can use CBD as supplements to take your Yoga sessions to a whole new level. It will give you a calming and softly relaxing feel as you go about your sessions.
It will also help keep your mind focused on the sessions and help with sore muscles and joints. Finally, it will also help extend the feelings of goodness that you get from the savasana even after the sessions.
How to Get Started With CBD
You don’t have to smoke CBD. If you’re ready to get started using the products, be sure to get the correct information on the right dosage amounts. After that, you can choose to use CBD gummies, ointments, or sprays.