Managing Stress with CBD
BY DR. ERIKA MONTGOMERY
o often I hear
people talk about
how stressed out
they are and how overwhelmed they feel managing the stressors of everyday life. Stress by definition is anything that challenges our homeostasis. Homeostasis is our body’s self-regulating process that maintains our biological stability, while adapting to external conditions. Homeostasis is optimal for survival. Signs of chronic stress might include headaches, fatigue, excessive worry, negativity, irritability, and insomnia. Chronic stress increases the risk of physical disease and mental health problems by weakening our immune system and our body's natural response to stress. The ECS (Endogenous Cannabinoid System or Endocannabinoid System) within us efficiently regulates our body’s response to stress. Changes occur within the ECS under conditions of acute and chronic stress. CBD (short for Cannabidiol) is an active chemical compound produced by the cannabis plant that has been found to reduce stress. The significant benefits of CBD are evident within current research and in testimonials.
The use of hemp and cannabis plant extracts date back to 3000 BC, with Chinese literature describing it as being useful for pain. Additionally, hemp was cultivated in England in the 19th century and colonists brought hemp with them when they settled in America. Since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, the US government has supported funding for research to better understand and document the benefits of CBD; rendering it legal in all 50 states. According to the Journal of Cannabis Research, a systematic review in 2020 on the role of CBD
S