Knowledge
Can CBD Help Fight Stress?
19.October 2021 | Manuela
A full schedule or danger to life, for the body its almost the same. Heart palpitations, stomach cramps, restlessness, tunnel vision - what used to protect us from danger is now a widespread disease with lifestyle appeal. We are talking about stress.
What is stress?
"Sabre-toothed tiger!". In a matter of seconds, stress hormones put the body on alert. "Fight or Flight", both require energy and this is provided in no time at all. In contrast to our ancestors, we no longer encounter saber-toothed tigers today, yet our bodies are still equipped with the reaction mechanism. What should actually protect humans, often becomes a chronic problem in the modern world.
External stimuli increase mental and physical tension. In the case of deadline pressure or everyday stress, increased tension can be quite helpful, but if the calendar is constantly full, the constant alertness is harmful to health in the long run.
As soon as the saber-toothed tiger was out of sight, our ancestors went into a relaxation phase. In the modern world with full inboxes and to-do lists, this is often skipped. Et voilà, a chronic problem is born.
How do I recognize negative stress?
Negative stress is a persistent imbalance between demands and coping with them. Permanent stress can have many faces:
Increased sensitivity to pain
Weakened immune system
Increased blood pressure
Weight gain
Indigestion
Headache, neckache or backache
Inner restlessness, forgetfulness
Mental health disorders
No matter how chronic stress manifests itself, it should not be ignored. Especially in the case of mental health disorders, one should seek professional advice.
What can I do about stress?
"Lavender", "Why don't you meditate", "Exercise is the name of the game", the list of tips and tricks is long and fills many bookshelfs in the self-help section. This shows one thing above all: stress is a widespread problem. Stress should not be ignored. If possible, the stress-inducing life circumstances should be permanently eliminated. If that is not possible, there is a smorgasbord of advice from which the personal mix can be formulated:
Sports
Healthy diet
Herbal tea with lemon balm, lavender, chamomile, or St. John's wort
Sufficient sleep
Relaxation exercises
Enough breaks
CBD for stress
Human cells have a number of receptors. Receptors are docking sites where messengers stop to deliver information to cells. These in turn carry out what the messengers have transmitted. CBD can act as a messenger, attaching itself to various receptors in our nervous system. There is evidence that CBD can thus positively influence stress- and anxiety-inducing processes in our body.
In several animal models, CBD has been shown to be therapeutically effective against anxiety and stress. Small-scale studies in humans have also demonstrated efficacy. For example, in a 2011 study, CBD was shown to reduce anxiety in patients with social anxiety who were asked to give a public speech. The anxiety-reducing effects of CBD appear to be due to a change in serotonin receptor 1a signaling. However, exact mechanisms of action are not yet clear, and more research is needed on the topic of CBD and stress.
Abstract for the stressed
Chronic stress belongs in professional hands
CBD can be a supplement in stress management
CBD and its effect on stress need further research
Sources and further links
Dr. Goldstein, Bonni. Cannabis is Medicine. 2020. London. Headline Publishing Group.
Mag. pharm. Hofmann, Susanne. Mag. pharm. Ehrmann, Alexander. CBD – die wiederentdeckte Naturmedizin. 2020. Murnau am Staffelsee: Mankau Verlag.
Leinow, Leonard. Birnbaum, Juliana. Heilen mit CBD – Das wissenschaftlich fundierte Handbuch zur medizinischen Anwendung von Cannabidiol. 2019. München. riva Verlag.
