COVID-19 Soap Opera Got You Down? Here’s How Experts Say CBD Can Help
When you’re living in a looping episode of the Twilight Zone, you’ve got to be battle-ready.
If you’re the one who drives — ahem — if you’re the one who scrolls past all things related to CBD, this one’s for you.
Maybe you’re someone who has to submit to random drug screens on a regular basis and angrily thought, “OH HELL NO! There’s no way I’m taking a chance on that crap!”…this one’s for you, too.
In fact, if you’re anyone who is still sleeping on the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), consider this your wake-up call!
CBD isn’t the fad that skeptics may have warned you about.
Regrettably, I was one of them.
But, as many things go in life, we live, we learn, and we adapt when presented with valuable, new information.
Stressed, Anxious, and Digitally Over-stimulated
The day-in, day-out doom-and-gloom media headlines have done a number on us all, if we’re being honest with ourselves.
A 2020 study published by the Journal of Loss and Trauma concluded that the stress-induced climate created by COVID-19 hysteria is a unique stressor unlike any other event we’ve ever seen in our lifetime.
So, if there’s an ancient natural remedy that can help relieve even a fourth of the impact of the stress, we can’t afford to ignore it any longer as we stare down the oncoming 2022 Omicron Variant Circus.
In this article, we’re diving in and exploring CBD’s effect on cortisol levels, which spike in response to environmental and mental stress.
Unfortunately, in the stress-inducing COVID-19 era, our anxiety and cortisol levels are all out of whack.
But fear not! We’re all in this together, right?
I’m here to show you why experts say we need to prioritize adding CBD to our de-stressing routine.
CBD directly targets the area of our body bearing the most weight and currently under the most assault — the brain.
Before we dissect it all, let’s back up a bit and take a quick refresher on what exactly CBD is before we define cortisol and see how they work together to promote optimal mental health.
What is CBD?
Originating from the Cannabis sativa plant, CBD is one of 113 types of cannabinoids found in cannabis plants.
Our bodies are hard-wired to use cannabinoids via our brain’s intricate endocannabinoid system (ECS), where our cells have specific receptors (think lock-and-key model) designed to fit and make use of CBD molecules.
You won’t get “high” with CBD.
All the psychoactive effects of marijuana are from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The THC level in CBD is virtually unmeasurable, and therefore, legal at the federal level.
Can CBD make you fail a drug test?
No. This is because drug tests only detect the presence of THC, not CBD.
Although some CBD can have trace amounts of THC, it is not enough to be declared illegal and falls well below the THC threshold set by the federal government to determine a pass or fail on a drug screen.
What are the scientific benefits of CBD?
Pain management
Chronic pain sufferers reportedly notice decreased inflammation leading to less pain.
Cancer therapeutic
By helping alleviate nausea, vomiting, and pain, CBD has developed quite the reputation in the oncology world for chemo-induced illnesses.
In addition, some studies suggest that CBD initiates the death of cancer cells and stops the spread of aggressive cancers.
Remarkable is an understatement when it comes to CBD’s use in treating cancer.
Reduces anxiety and depression
Many of the leading prescription treatments for anxiety and depression have terrible side effects like drowsiness, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and suicidal ideations.
CBD has natural antidepressant properties without the nasty side effects, making it a much healthier option for people who struggle with taking those medications.
Neurological protection
The brain’s endocannabinoid system provides an environment for CBD to reduce seizure activity in epilepsy, slow cognitive decline with Alzheimer’s disease, and delay progressive nerve damage in Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
When CBD gets into the brain, it works as a protective antioxidant to promote brain health.
Heart health
CBD helps our body regulate the dietary salt we’ve taken in and affects its relationship with water leading to lower blood pressure.
Plus, it also helps lower blood pressure by decreasing stress and anxiety.
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys in our lower back.
It’s responsible for regulating a wide range of vital processes throughout the body, including those influencing metabolism, immune response, stress response/recovery, and control of the sleep/wake cycle.
What happens when we have too little cortisol?
We usually feel lousy when our cortisol levels are imbalanced.
Low blood cortisol levels contribute to what’s known as adrenal insufficiency.
If left untreated, it can lead to developing a condition called Addison’s disease.
If Addison’s disease remains untreated, it can turn deadly.
Symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Mood disturbances
- Skin hyperpigmentation
- Fatigue
- Body hair loss
- Low-blood pressure
What happens when we have too much cortisol?
Chronic stress, like what we’re experiencing daily in the COVID-19 Twilight Zone Dystopian Saga, forces our body into fight-or-flight mode, causing cortisol levels to spike.
Our fast-paced, stressed-out way of life means most of us are likely in this category, battling a cortisol imbalance that teeters on the “excess” end of the spectrum.
Symptoms include:
- Weight gain
- Anxiety and depression
- Excessive body hair
- Sleep disturbances
- Digestion disruption
- Difficulty concentrating and recalling memories
How does CBD lower cortisol levels?
The 1993 study published by the National Institute of Health found that the production of cortisol is profoundly lower in the presence of CBD.
By first lowering anxiety and stress, CBD naturally eliminates the body’s need for excess cortisol, thus leading to a sense of calm and an overall increase in health and wellbeing.
The CBD-induced effects on lowering serum cortisol levels have also been reported to promote:
- Balancing our circadian rhythm for improved sleep
- Managing menopause symptoms
- Maintaining muscle mass
Simply put, cortisol plays a chief role in driving our body’s natural processes.
Even if it is slightly out of balance, we can experience disturbances ranging from emotional to physical.
If ignored, the effects could be devastating.
CBD lowers cortisol levels, thus working to rid our bodies of the adverse effects associated with high cortisol levels.
Combined with the relaxing effect of CBD, I’d certainly say this qualifies as a win-win.
Who should avoid using CBD?
As the old saying goes, “everything ain’t for everybody.”
Despite having little to no side effects, CBD can interfere with medications and should be used with caution if you’re taking prescriptions.
This is because CBD regulates our metabolism and various prescription drugs depend on the body’s metabolic processes to break down medications.
CBD could either speed up or slow down a drug’s intended action, which could be dangerous depending on the situation.
Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist about whether CBD is a safe alternative for you.
Restore health and vitality with CBD
To continue overlooking CBD’s ability to lower cortisol would undoubtedly be to our detriment.
If you’re healthy and not currently taking any medications, definitely look for a high-quality CBD product and start your health restoration process.
We need all-hands-on-deck to keep our bodies resilient in this COVID-era.
A CBD supplement can be the simple addition to your health routine that makes all the difference in your ability to fight off unwanted illnesses.
Health Disclaimer
All information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material provided, is intended for your general knowledge and is for informational purposes only. While I have extensive medical knowledge and experience as a registered nurse, the information herein is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. Always consult your physician regarding personal medical concerns. Never delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website.
This article contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
References:
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
- Zuardi, A. W., Guimarães, F. S., & Moreira, A. C. (1993). Effect of cannabidiol on plasma prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol in human volunteers. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas, 26(2), 213–217.
- Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041
- Seltzer, E. S., Watters, A. K., MacKenzie, D., Jr, Granat, L. M., & Zhang, D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) as a Promising Anti-Cancer Drug. Cancers, 12(11), 3203. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12113203
- Shrivastava, A., Kuzontkoski, P. M., Groopman, J. E., & Prasad, A. (2011). Cannabidiol induces programmed cell death in breast cancer cells by coordinating the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy. Molecular cancer therapeutics, 10(7), 1161–1172. https://doi.org/10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-10-1100
- Ibrahim A. Kira, Hanaa A. M. Shuwiekh, Kenneth G. Rice, Jeffrey S. Ashby, Sayed Ahmed Elwakeel, Mariam Sous Fahmy Sous, Amthal Alhuwailah, Shadia Bint Ali Baali, Chafika Azdaou, Enas. M. Oliemat & Hikmet J. Jamil (2021) Measuring COVID-19 as Traumatic Stress: Initial Psychometrics and Validation, Journal of Loss and Trauma, 26:3, 220–237, DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2020.1790160
