The science behind why CBD works is evolving and how CBD oil benefits a variety of bodily systems is becoming clearer every day. However, what we do know is CBD oil is effective because of its interactions with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).   This system contains receptors regulating a whole host of bodily functions such as mood, pain, memory, appetite, metabolism, bone development, sleep and immune function.  The receptors, categorized as CB1 and CB2, are activated by natural endocannabinoids. These are produced by the human body but there are also plant-based cannabinoids, like CBD. So, what are the benefits of taking CBD as a part of your daily routine?  GreenBox wants to share with you three areas of focus where there is some exciting evidence of CBD’s positive impact: anxiety/stress relief, as a sleep aid, and help combatting inflammation.

CBD oil benefits #1: Anxiety & Stress

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the world impacting roughly 30% of us in our adult lives.  People with anxiety disorders are in an almost constant state of fight-or-flight causing the body and mind to tense up and feel uncertain, disorganized, and alert.  People with anxiety who use CBD oil for the first time often report feeling “normal” and not constantly wound up for the first time, as CBD calms the areas of the brain linked to anxiety. [1]

When it comes to stress, endocannabinoids increase our ability to cope by regulating our internal systems and enhancing our ability to overcome emotionally unpleasant memories.  Evidence indicates the ECS is critical to maintaining stability, buffering stress and regulating internal systems during and after stressful situations. A disruption to the ECS in humans results in increased sensitivity to stress and anxiety and a reduced ability to feel pleasure.  A daily dose of CBD oil benefits daily stress and anxiety management. It provides relief by helping to balance our internal systems.

CBD oil benefits #2: Sleep Aid

Who hasn’t spent a restless night trying to manage the requisite eight hours of recommended sleep? As we age, it gets even more difficult to get a proper amount of sleep. Layer on the stresses of our busy daily lives and a good night’s sleep can often seem like an impossible dream. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two-thirds of adults throughout all developed nations fail to obtain the recommended eight hours of nightly sleep. Furthermore, sleep disruption can contribute to every major psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety.  And based on liberal criteria, almost two out of every three people suffer from insomnia. This is one of the more exciting areas where the CBD oil benefits could help hugely.

The two most common triggers of chronic insomnia are psychologically linked: 1. Worry (aka emotional concerns); 2. Anxiety (aka emotional distress).  It is not surprising sleep becomes hard to maintain when our brains are working in overdrive with stress and worry. [2]   As CBD potentially helps ease anxiety, this has a powerful added benefit of helping us to sleep better.  Studies have shown CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep. While “Reports from the 1970’s and 1980s regarding the effects of CBD demonstrated insomniacs who received 160mg of CBD slept significantly more than people receiving a placebo with less dream recall”. [3]

CBD oil benefits #3: Combating Inflammation

Health and wellness trends have us focused on trying to exercise more effectively. Whether it’s trying to run a new personal best, get more from our time at the gym or get relief from aches and pains, inflammation in our joints and muscles stops many of us from achieving our goals. Taking CBD oil can once again potentially help, thanks to its effectiveness in treating inflammation.

Cannabinoids have been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect in numerous studies. CBD engages with the ECS in many organs throughout the body, helping to reduce inflammation systemically.  The therapeutic potential is impressively wide-ranging, as inflammation is involved in a wide range of diseases.  [4] Usefully, topical CBD products can help address pain or inflammation that’s at a specific area of your body, such as in the joints. The product won’t enter the bloodstream so a topical CBD product isn’t designed to address systemic problems, but it may help directly on the area of application. [5] This is because there is a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors (the CB1 and CB2s we discussed earlier) on the skin.  The benefit is a quicker recovery before your next workout, helping you to hit your fitness goals.

Embracing the power of CBD

In conclusion, these are but three of the wonderful benefits you may get from making CBD a part of your daily routine. GreenBox has a range of high quality CBD products which are available on the e-commerce store. For consumers looking to start their CBD journey, we recommend German pharmaceutical brand Ayucana. Ayucana’s CBD Oil Drops meet the most stringent German quality standards, and are an ideal way to explore the potential benefits of CBD.

[1] Scott A., Johnson; The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabis. The Perfect Partnership for Self-Regulation and Healing (Orem, Utah, Scott A. Johnson Professional Writing Services, 2019), 44

[2] Mathew, Walker; Why We Sleep (USA, Penguin Random House, 2017), 35

[3] Scott A., Johnson; The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabis. The Perfect Partnership for Self-Regulation and Healing (Orem, Utah, Scott A. Johnson Professional Writing Services, 2019), 39

[4] Linda A, Parker; Cannabinoids and the Brain (Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2017), 126

[5] Vanessa, Caceres; Do Topical CBD Products Work? September 23, 2019; www.usnews.com