Can CBD Really Help Moms Beat Stress?

Stressed-out moms always have their go-tos for self-medicating, whether it’s a tall glass of red wine after a hard week, binging Hallmark Christmas movies no matter the time of year, or loading your online shopping cart. 

Today’s moms are also turning to cannabidiol (CBD), a big trend in alternative medicine. CBD is one of 400 compounds taken from the hemp plant. It’s non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you high and lose focus (because we all know moms are never allowed to check out!). Instead, it can help you relax and let go some of the stresses, worries, anxieties, and fears for the truly stressed-out parent. 

You might be wondering if CBD is really that fantastic. Well, according to countless moms, it has saved them from many bad moments, and they highly recommend it. After reading this, you’ll probably have a long list of CBD products you’ll want to buy now!  

How CBD Works 

Your body is actually full of cannabinoids that send signals to your endocannabinoid system. This system is responsible for hormone regulation. When you increase the number of cannabinoids occurring in your body, it helps your endocannabinoid reach a point of homeostasis. 

Your endocannabinoid system also plays a role in responding to stimulants, such as pain or stress triggers. It also offers immune support and can stimulate critical functions in the body. 

When your endocannabinoid system is working in harmony, it can create a feeling known as the entourage effect. It’s described as an overall feeling of health and wellness. The entourage is often associated with marijuana and cannabis, but it’s different with CBD. Instead of feeling high and out-of-focus, you feel more present and calmer. Getting high is impossible with CBD sold legally throughout the United States. 

What Mental Health Problems CBD Treats 

It’s hard to say definitively how CBD can help each individual. Everyone is different, and the clinical research on CBD is minimal given the long-held misconceptions about the product. Still, there are tons of stories and reports of CBD making a huge difference for patients with both physical and mental health problems. 

On the physical spectrum, it’s primarily used to treat pain and inflammation. It can also be used as an aid in the following areas: 

• Anxiety: This is the most common reason that parents use CBD. There’s nothing more stressful than being a parent, whether you’re worried about work, making ends meet, your kids’ behavior, or simply measuring up. Clinical anxiety is twice as likely to occur in women than it is in men, so as an anxious mom, you might feel alone. CBD has an amazing impact on anxiety, creating a general feeling of calm and peace that can help you with whatever type of anxiety you have. 
• Stress: Anxiety disorders can contribute greatly to a person’s stress levels, so CBD is a great help in that respect. Additionally, sometimes people are simply stressed because there’s a lot going on around them. When you have too many balls in the air to juggle, CBD can help you calm down, gain perspective, and focus long enough to create an action plan to overcome your stress levels. 
• Depression: Women are also more likely than men to develop depression, whether it’s a moderate diagnosis or major depressive disorder. If you’ve recently given birth, you could also suffer from a debilitating illness called post-partum depression. Depression manifests differently in everyone, whether it’s lack of motivation, sleepiness, suicidal thoughts, unexplained anger, or constant negativity. In any case, it’s a terrible feeling. Along with seeking the help of a qualified physician and/or therapist, CBD can help you relax, gain perspective, and get in a mindset where you can become well. 
• Overall Health and Wellness: For many stressed-out moms, it’s hard to find the time to work out, eat right, and take preventative steps for the future. CBD doesn’t replace good diet and nutrition, but preliminary studies show that it can help prevent illnesses like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer. That’s one less thing to worry about! 
• Addiction: This doesn’t pertain to all parents, but if you have a tobacco addiction or a dependence, however slight, on alcohol, that’s a huge burden on you and your family. CBD has actually shown very promising signs in clinical research to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings for those trying to quit. 

Different Ways to Take CBD 

There are multiple ways for you to consume CBD for stress relief. The most common and potent method for relieving stress and anxiety is leaving a few drops of oil under the tongue for 90 seconds or more. This allows the oil to seep into your blood stream while stimulating your olfactory senses. Many CBD users report feeling the results instantly, but it’s not uncommon for it to take 10-15 minutes, just like it would with any medication. 

If you don’t like the earthy taste of CBD or you’d simply like a more inconspicuous and convenient way to take it, there are also capsules and gummies. Some CBD products are made for external use, such as menthol creams and bath bombs. The smell and moisturizing nature of these topical applications can penetrate the body through the nose and skin to provide lasting relief. There’s also incense and vape juice. 

The Downsides of CBD 

Overall, CBD has more good properties than bad. However, like any medicine, there are a few downsides and side effects. The first is the cost. CBD averages about $0.12 per milligram, meaning that a 300mg bottle of CBD would set you back about $36. Unfortunately, your health savings account won’t pay for it either. 

Additionally, some moms report having side effects when using CBD. It can cause stomach problems, the most common being nausea. In rare cases, you may experience vomiting or diarrhea. Lightheadedness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, and dry mouth are a few more common signs to watch out for. 

Usually, any negative side effects can be solved by getting the right dose. You should also talk to a physician about its potential interactions with any medications to make sure you’re not adding undue stress to that. 

You CAN Relax with CBD 

Relaxation and stress relief is out there, and many moms are discovering it with CBD. If you’re at your wits’ end, the cost of CBD will be well worth it.