Calm Your Nerves with a Powerful CBD Tincture

Yoga. Meditation. Those rubber balls you get with your work logo on them. You’ve tried everything to lower your stress levels at work, but nothing seems to stick. Now you’re seeing all these blog posts and celebrities raving over CBD. But is it worth the try? 

Before you purchase a dropper of CBD tincture, know what you’re putting in your tea (or under your tongue.) CBD is not a substitute for medication or talk therapy, but it can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety throughout the day and make driving to work, going to a party, or other events easier to manage. 

What is a CBD Tincture? 

CBD tinctures are a more pure form of CBD, one of the active ingredients in cannabis. Tinctures can be made from any plant – echinacea tinctures and benzoin tinctures can be found in many health food stores throughout Canada. Manufacturers simply use a solvent (sometimes alcohol, but not always) to extract the essential ingredients from the plant. What you’re left with is a liquid form of CBD that you can drop under your tongue, mix into smoothies, or add to food. 

The Endocannabinoid System and Stress 

How does CBD work to help calm your nerves? It works with a system throughout the body called the endocannabinoid system. This system plays a part in many different functions of the body, including digestion and pain relief. But it also plays a huge role in anxiety and addressing stress. 

The endocannabinoid system consists of endocannabinoids and two types of endocannabinoid receptors. CB1 receptors are located in different parts of the brain, including the amygdala and the hypothalamus. CB2 receptors are located throughout the body. 

When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they are activated and cause a variety of effects. CB1 receptors influence different effects on anxiety. In some cases, these effects counteract each other. (This could explain why some people feel more paranoid after they smoke too much weed, but are calm with just a few puffs.) 

Cannabinoids don’t just exist in cannabis. We produce our own cannabinoids as well, and they help to regulate emotional behaviour and decrease anxiety. Studies show that lower levels of the cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) can lead to increased behaviours and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Higher levels of 2-AG help people treat stress. 

CBD and Anxiety 

Research began to point to CBD as a cannabinoid that could directly bind with the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, but that research didn’t go too far. More recent studies show that while CBD doesn’t bind perfectly to these receptors, it can play a role in helping the endocannabinoid system function. When the endocannabinoid system is working like it should, we can easily regulate stress and reduce anxiety in the body. 

For example, high quantities of CBD in the body can directly activate a protein receptor that influences the release of serotonin. This increased amount of serotonin in the body can help to calm us down and boost our mood. 

Again, there is much research to be done on CBD, the endocannabinoid system, and how these different lipids and neurotransmitters influence anxiety. But if the testimonials from CBD users provide any insight into how CBD works to treat anxiety, the results are likely to be positive. 

How to Use CBD Tinctures To Calm Your Nerves  

CBD tinctures typically comes in a dropper form. All you need to do is squeeze a full dropper under your tongue or mix it in with food. 

Reviewers at Speed Greens suggest mixing your tinctures with the following foods:

• Banana bread
• Yogurt
• Smoothies

Some manufacturers blend CBD tinctures with MCT oil to create a keto-friendly product. 

What Do CBD Tinctures Taste Like? 

Most CBD tinctures don’t have a strong taste or smell, so you can add them to just about any food or drink. Some CBD tinctures contain essential oils for additional benefits. FeelCBD Full Spectrum CBD Tinctures, for example, have a spearmint and ylang ylang flavour that can help users go to sleep at night. The tincture has a slight minty taste, but it’s not overwhelming. 

CBD tinctures often contain oils to help the ingredients blend properly. If you are adding CBD tinctures to drinks, blend them thoroughly to avoid separation and an oily texture on your lips. 

How Much CBD Tincture Should You Use? 

CBD tinctures are safe and produce no serious side effects, even after excessive use. But that doesn’t mean you should pour your entire tincture over your smoothie and chug. Start by using one or two full droppers of CBD tincture a day. 

Patients with chronic pain and anxiety disorders may take up to 50-60mg of CBD tincture a day, but don’t feel the need to use any more. Experiment and gradually work your way up to higher doses. 

Will CBD Tinctures Get You High? 

While smoking weed can help many people reduce anxiety and let the giggles out, other people get super paranoid. Whether you do or you don’t like to get high, you won’t with CBD tinctures.

Why? CBD is just one of the active ingredients in cannabis. It may still have an effect on your brain, but it’s not intoxicating. The intoxicating ingredient in cannabis is THC. 

There are many products on the market that blend CBD and THC together, but most only contain CBD. Check each product in your cart before you buy it. Tinctures are concentrated forms of active ingredients – so the tinctures that do contain THC will take an effect quickly.

Will CBD Tinctures Get You Drunk? 

Even if you do ingest a tincture that contains alcohol, you should not feel drunk from the product. Do not operate a motor vehicle after using any form of THC tincture. 

Use CBD Tinctures as a Treatment, Not a Cure 

Stress comes from many sources and affects the body in many different ways. CBD tinctures can certainly aid in stress relief, but they should not be a replacement for medication prescribed by a doctor or therapist. Talk to a medical professional before adding CBD tincture to your treatment plan.