Some jobs receive enough daily stress to crush one’s spirit or deplete their vitality. And when the intense pressure accumulates, it can adversely affect our mental and physical well-being.
Fortunately, we can turn to CBD for a potent yet natural support in managing stress so we can keep soaring in today’s high-demand work environment while also maintaining a healthy personal life. If you’re struggling with excessive strain from work and thinking of taking a look at what this compound has to offer by way of stress management, this article has just the details you need.
Understanding Stress in High-Pressure Careers
All jobs can get exhausting, so what makes ‘high-pressure careers’ different? Well, these professions deal with intense demands and high stakes regularly or even daily, making stress a constant companion that pushes individuals to their physical and mental limits.
Think air traffic controllers who have to coordinate the safe and efficient movement of airplanes in busy airspace. With the lives of passengers and crew dependent on their judgment, every split-second decision is no doubt made under immense pressure. Similarly, firefighters face constant stressors as they put their lives on the line to save and protect communities from fires and other emergencies, like natural disasters and vehicle accidents. These heroic individuals must constantly make quick decisions that can mean the difference between life and death, requiring a good combination of courage, selflessness, physical strength, and mental resilience.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD for brevity, is a natural compound found in the still quite controversial cannabis plant. Unlike the mind-bending THC, the compound that makes you feel high, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. That means users won’t feel even slightly buzzed up or intoxicated when consumed alone. But what can you feel or get from using it? You see, CBD boasts a long list of potential therapeutic benefits, with the most sought-after being its ability to reduce anxiety levels and pain, as well as improve sleep.
How CBD Produces Its Effects
Do you know that the human body also produces its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids? They are part of our endocannabinoid system, an expansive network of receptors and molecules that aids in regulating several physiological functions, such as our mood, appetite, pain sensation, and even memory.
It is because we naturally produce cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) that CBD and other plant cannabinoids from cannabis can interact with human receptors and influence how they work. CBD specifically communicates primarily with CB1 receptors, found mostly in our brain and central nervous system, and CB2 receptors, predominantly located in the immune system and peripheral tissues. This interaction allows CBD to work harmoniously with the body’s natural processes (the ones the ECS is involved with), promoting balance and well-being.
If you need a natural ally in managing work-related stress, CBD might just be the you’re looking for. However, consult with a healthcare professional, like an integrative medicine physician or a medical cannabis specialist, before introducing the compound to your stress management routine for proper guidance and to avoid unwanted interaction with existing medications. Also make sure to stick only with high-quality products from reputable sources, such as Dutch Natural Healing, a trusted producer of organic, Europe-made CBD products. Another thing to note is that CBD users may experience side effects, the most common being dry mouth, dizziness, and changes in appetite, so use modestly to minimize the severity of the adverse effects.
Potential Benefits of CBD for Stress Management
CBD addresses various aspects of stress, including anxiety, pain, sleep disturbances, and relaxation, to help in stress management. This multifaceted approach (detailed below) allows users to maintain a healthy stress response while better coping with the demands of high-pressure careers.
Reducing Anxiety
CBD lowers anxiety levels in different ways. First, the cannabinoid improves the transmission of serotonin, also known as the ‘feel-good’ hormone, boosting its effects. It also reduces the release of the primary stress hormone cortisol, which, at a lower level, results in a healthier stress response. Further boosting the compound’s anxiolytic effect, as well as making it great for relaxing, is its action on GABA and adenosine receptors.
Alleviating Pain
CBD has been found to possess potent analgesic properties, which can help individuals suffering from physical discomfort or tension as a result of stress or that are causing stress. Besides the receptors in the endocannabinoid system, CBD also interacts with the body’s other pain pathways to reduce pain sensations. Plus, the compound has potent anti-inflammatory effects, reducing inflammation that is often the source of pain.
Promoting Relaxation and Improving Sleep Quality
Stress is a massive sleep disruptor. It can either make falling asleep difficult or bug you throughout the night, turning your slumber into a series of pesky naps. How? CBD has incredible calming effects that promote relaxation and support sleep quality and duration. The cannabinoid isn’t one to cause drowsiness but has been shown to decrease the symptoms of insomnia and other sleep problems.
Forms of CBD Consumption
Fortunately for people who don’t want to smoke or would prefer to stay discreet, CBD comes in many different forms, each with its distinct pros and cons. Oils and tinctures, which are consumed orally and absorbed into the bloodstream, are some of the most common types of CBD products. Edibles, such as gummies, chocolates, brownies, and even refreshing beverages, are the tastiest and probably the most enjoyable means to consume CBD, but the effects will take longer to kick in. You can find a variety of these CBD edibles online. If you need fast-acting relief, inhalation through vaping or smoking is a popular option but may not be suitable for some people. Meanwhile, for localized pain and inflammation, applying topical CBD products, like creams, salves, and lotions, directly to the skin is the way to go.
Manage Stress in High-Pressure Careers with CBD
Managing stress in high-pressure careers seems almost impossible until you experience the relief CBD can provide. The natural compound can help calm your mind of anxious thoughts, bring feelings of relaxation, and usher in a long, restful sleep. Plus, there are plenty of straightforward ways to incorporate CBD into your routine. Before you do, however, make sure to seek professional guidance from a healthcare practitioner and only purchase CBD products from reputable sources. This ensures your safety and the effectiveness of your new stress-busting ally.
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