In today’s world full of an increased workload, constant responsibilities and high levels of stress, many people rely on the benefits of mindfulness to get by. Mindfulness is the practice of a mental state by concentrating on the present moment and being in control of how you react to the world around you. This might sound like an easy task until you realise how many things are constantly taking your attention.
If meditation is something you have included as part of your daily routine, you will be able to throw away the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and fully experience every moment. But what if your mindfulness practice can be elevated to a new level? This is where CBD products come in by helping improve your mood, energy and ability to stick with mindfulness. Here are a few ideas on how you can use CBD for your daily mindfulness session.
How Does CBD Function?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound from Cannabis sativa plants known for its health benefits and healing effects, especially when it comes to anxiety, physical aches and inflammation. CBD’s method of action is through interacting with our endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a complex, molecular system that is involved in the regulation of many physiological and cognitive processes, including our immune system, appetite, pain, mood, and memory. Research shows that CBD influences the way endocannabinoids act on the CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout our body. CBD works by indirectly activating TRPV1 receptors that control functions like pain perception, inflammation, and homeostasis.
Many experts believe that meditation and yoga may be a cannabinoid mimetic, working similarly to CBD by stimulating the CB1 receptor. A review published showed that elevated mood is achieved by activating CB1 receptor signals while practising yoga or meditation. Hence, CBD and meditation may have complementary methods of action on our mind and body. When used together, the effects of increased focus, reduced stress, and improved mood may be enhanced even further.
A wandering and cluttered mind is often caused by anxiety, which is linked to a hyperactive amygdala. High activity in the amygdala causes your heart rate to increase, breathing to become shallower, and your neck will tighten. These responses create a disorienting effect, limiting our perspectives, and we become anxious and fearful even when there is no real threat present. It can make your mind go into overdrive, making it a struggle to focus through meditation. CBD works by reducing the hyperactivity of the amygdala and neural generation to the centres controlling pleasure and motivation by increasing the amount of anandamide in the blood. Anandamide is a vital chemical to reduce anxiety and wandering thoughts. It is also increased when you exercise, contributing to the feeling of a “runners high” where you experience a sense of euphoria coupled with reduced anxiety and pain sensations. Therefore, it also produces a similar feel-good effect that uplifts mood when you take CBD.
Additionally, some topical CBD products can help to address pain or inflammation in areas like joints. CBD is able to decrease the production of inflammatory markers such as TNF alpha, which is usually in a surplus for those who have arthritis. CBD can also increase the anti-inflammatory activity of scavenger cells, which are responsible for immunity. This both decreases joint inflammation and serves as a protectant to the nerves. CBD activates serotonin receptors which improve mood and reduce anxiety. When you are in a more positive mood, you concentrate less on the pain itself. A positive mood diminishes the frequency of brain signals which are sent to your brain, as well as averting attention away from any aches.
What Type Of Products Are There?
CBD is now commonly available as a supplement, and these products tend to only have minuscule traces of THC, meaning they do not produce any psychoactive effects and you won’t experience a ‘high’ effect.
To experience CBD benefits to its full potential, it is essential to take CBD products at the right time so that the cannabinoids are sufficiently absorbed. Different CBD products offer various methods of consumption and efficacy. Here are some examples of the most commonly used CBD products you can use to supplement your meditative practices:
1. Take CBD Orally
One of the easiest methods of incorporating CBD into your meditation practice is to use CBD oils, tinctures or syrups. They are orally ingested by dropping the substance under your tongue before you begin your meditation. The sublingual glands under your tongue absorb it directly into your bloodstream. It might take anywhere around 30 minutes and 2 hours for its desired effects.
2. Use CBD Vapes
Vaping is the easiest way to get a quick boost of CBD. It’s fast and suitable for meditation when in between activities. A CBD vape pen is used to inhale the cannabidiol. The vapour goes directly into the bloodstream through your lungs. Its effects are almost instant, but with fast absorption, you can expect the positive impact to wear off within 3 hours. A vape pen is particularly useful in that you can vape microdoses of CBD throughout the day.
In case you already have a vape pen, you can simply purchase a suitable vape juice infused with CBD to experience its effects. In addition to reusable CBD vape pens, the CBD market offers disposable vape pens for a CBD treatment without a big commitment.
3. Apply CBD Topicals
The topical application of CBD can significantly help with yoga practices. Many people often experience muscle soreness after yoga or meditation. However, this soreness shouldn’t be ignored as it can affect your focus and performance. To soothe problem areas you can choose between different CBD creams, gels, lotions or ointments and apply it on your skin after a meditation session. This allows CBD to diffuse across your skin, targeting muscles and inflammatory cells. The time it takes for CBD topical products to be absorbed can vary by product but tends to be a while. However, its desired therapeutic effects can last longer than 5 hours.
4. Consume CBD Edibles & Drinks
CBD edibles are a popular choice for first-time users, as they contain relatively low doses of CBD, allowing users to get used to the effects of CBD on their body. There are many different CBD edibles on the market, including CBD gummies, chocolate and other snacks.
An excellent supplement to achieve smooth meditation may be cold brews infused with CBD oil. It allows cold brew drinkers to feel energised without having to experience the anxiety and nervousness caused by over-caffeination. CBD edibles offer a level of discretion and have longer-lasting effects than other methods such as tinctures. As edibles must go through the process of digestion, it may take between 2 to 4 hours for its therapeutic effects. However, these effects can last up to 5 days for some people.
While CBD gives little adverse side effects for most people, it is advisable to use small doses when trying it out for the first time. With mindful meditation, you should be even more careful with dosage as it is also an aid for sleep so that it may cause drowsiness. It makes little sense of taking something that can leave you falling asleep during a meditation session.
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