PEOPLE around the world are utilising CBD product as a natural remedy. Because it’s extracted from plants of the cannabis family, those who are new to it often wonder what they will feel when they take it.
It is important to know that CBD is non-intoxicating and won’t get you high, but for some people, it produces mild sensations of relaxation or increased focus.
Why do people take CBD?
CBD is used in many different ways to produce a range of different results. However, most people take it to achieve a specific feeling or effect. These could be:
- General well-being – CBD produces sensations in your body by interacting with a chemical signalling network called the endocannabinoid system. When CBD is present, this system can send signals to restore a healthy balance to many of the internal body mechanisms. People often report that CBD gives them a sense of vitality and a sensation of health and well-being.
- Improved concentration – Small, regular amounts of CBD taken throughout the day have been found to increase the ability to focus and maintain concentration. This is likely to be because scientists have found that it can stimulate the production of serotonin in your brain. If you’re struggling to remain alert or your serotonin levels have dropped, a small amount of CBD could return them to normal and sharpen up your ability to remain focused.
- Relaxation – When taken in larger amounts, particularly in the evening, CBD has a calming effect that can result in sensations of relaxation and better sleep. A series of studies found that CBD was able to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your blood stream. They concluded that measures of 300mg and greater were most effective and could produce a sedative-like effect.
As well as these effects, people take CBD because they hope to relieve the symptoms of certain conditions. These include:
Anxiety
The same cortisol reducing effect that produces sensations of relaxation has also been found to reduce anxiety and even fight depression. These are conditions that are usually treated with pharmaceutical drugs, so CBD is often viewed as an attractive natural alternative. One study published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry found that participants who ingested 300mg of CBD showed signs of significantly reduced levels of anxiety during a public speaking task.
Insomnia
CBD won’t make you drowsy, but scientists suggest that it can improve several other factors to reduce insomnia. Insomnia is often caused by factors like anxiety, stress and pain. By reducing these, your insomnia will likely reduce too. Also, by enhancing your concentration and alertness during the day, CBD can aid your natural cycle of waking and sleeping. This leads to regular, better quality sleep.
Skin conditions
CBD has a potent anti-inflammatory effect that can calm irritated skin. Research suggests that this makes it an effective way to treat acne and some other common skin conditions. It calms the inflamed area and reduces the production of sebum.
Chronic pain
One of the most significant effects of CBD is its ability to reduce chronic pain. As it interacts with your endocannabinoid system, it allows your body’s neurotransmitter systems to work more effectively. It’s thought that this lets your body restore balance and reduce the pain quickly. It could also be the anti-inflammatory effect of the cannabinoid which helps to reduce swelling.
What does it feel like when you take CBD?
To provide a detailed picture of what it feels like when you take CBD, ‘For The Ageless’ spoke with a number of people in their article “Does CBD get you high?”. They found that although people take it for different reasons with varied results, their experiences still share many common themes.
Some of the respondents said that they noticed no physical sensations after taking CBD, but just know that it’s working; “Typically, I’ll feel very little obvious effects from CBD.” But the majority described a slight awareness of it working from ten minutes to an hour after taking it; “Occasionally, it sweeps over me like a wave, but more often it’s much gentler.”
Some described it as a rush of relaxation, almost like the effect of nicotine – “I’ll get this sense of calm and relaxation sweeping my body” or “I liken the feeling of using CBD to a very mild, almost unnoticeable nicotine rush”.
They also told For The Ageless how CBD affected their health. Some mentioned an improved focus and a generally more positive outlook on the world, saying: “The world feels a slightly better place with CBD!”
Several people also noted improvements in the symptoms of anxiety and a better night’s sleep.
Summary
Although many people get different results from CBD, the effects and physical sensations they experience are often quite similar. Small amounts during the day generally create a sharpened focus and, in the evening, a larger dosage can support sleep.
When you take it, you might not feel anything, but with some stronger products, you might notice a calming effect. In the longer term, many people report a general improvement in their health. They also note the reduction of symptoms such as pain, anxiety or broken sleep.
