We all know that periodic levels of stress can lead to complaints like minor headaches and mood swings, but sometimes we forget that chronic stress is actually linked to serious health conditions, like high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. With our fast-paced lives, it’s no coincidence that more and more people are finding themselves at the mercy of these conditions. But is CBD for stress an effective treatment?

So, what is stress exactly, anyways? In its simplest terms, it’s a response to change. Based on how our brains perceive that change, it will tell the adrenal glands to release cortisol and other stress hormones as part of the flight-or-flight response. While a temporary pump of adrenaline served us back in the day when we were being chased by lions, nowadays our cortisol is chronically elevated due to our busy lifestyles.

When I first heard that CBD can help provide stress-relief and calm the “monkey mind,” I was intrigued but skeptical. If the testimonials are anything to go by, it would make you think that CBD is the cure for cancer! Except, it actually DOES show promise for not only cancer, but also for anxiety, migraines, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and so on.

CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is a plant compound that comes from the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, it has no psychoactive properties, meaning that users will not feel any mind-altering effects. But, that doesn’t mean CBD is the weaker chemical by any means. Numerous research studies over the years have shown that it’s a powerful stress reliever.

In 1995, scientists discovered that the human body has what is called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). We have a network of cannabinoid receptors in our brains and vital organs, and as you can guess by its name, it interacts exclusively with CBD.

The reason why CBD is such an effective stress-reliever is due to the fact that most of the ECS receptors are concentrated in the areas of the brain that regulates our mood and stress levels. Interaction between these receptors and CBD has been shown in numerous studies to moderate how we respond to stressful situations. The end result is  not only an immediate reduction in symptoms of stress, but CBD also seems to improve our ability to respond to similar stressful situations in the future.

As a busy entrepreneur and stay-at-home mom, I find myself stressed out before the lunchtime feeding frenzy even starts. Finding a way to stay calm when faced with both work and kids is certainly a challenge, and I can feel my blood pressure rise just thinking about.

“Thinking” too much, or having a monkey mind, is another problem that we all face. Getting to sleep at night can sometimes be difficult when the day’s thoughts are still racing through your head, and thinking about all the to-do-list items for tomorrow. But, it turns out that insomnia is another condition that CBD is been purported to help!

First, you should know that they come in all sorts of forms. There are sold as oil tinctures, capsules, tablets, topical creams, and even yummy gummy bears, which should be kept far out of reach of the kids, by the way. Although CBD has little to no side effects, and it’s hard to overdose on it, one should always be cautious around children.

The form you decided to take depends on how quickly you want it to hit your bloodstream. The tinctures seem to work the fastest, while the gummies may up to 30 minutes, since it has to go through your digestive system. The creams may be good for muscle aches and pains, but I didn’t try it. I prefer the CBD oil tinctures and the sleep tablets.

In case you’re wondering, yes, CBD is legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as it’s derived from hemp and not marijuana. And the only “high” you will get from it comes from the high of being stress-free! Trusted CBD brand I’ve tried include Bliss Herbal, Pinnacle CBD, and Fab.

When you decide which CBD for stress to take, just keep in mind that just because a brand is more inexpensive compared to long time CBD companies like Charlotte’s Web, that doesn’t mean its inferior. Things you should look out for are value per dose, how the hemp was grown, where it was grown, transparent 3rd party testing, and of course, testimonials!

As for my stress and monkey mind? Well here’s a testimonial – it works. By incorporating CBD into my daily life, I’ve found that my stress levels have dropped significantly, and I’m better able to handle the ups and downs of both being a stay-at-home and work-at-home mom. I’ve also had the best sleep I’ve had in years! Although there will always be stress in my life, it’s good to know that I can reach for something natural that clears my mind, and helps me feel more at ease with everyday life.