CBD + Lavender: Can They Help With Stress?
Apr 25, 2020
Lavender and CBD: Calming the Mind and Body
With your busy life, it’s not surprising your struggle with being able to rest and relax. The combination of lavender and CBD oil may do wonders for people who find themselves mentally worn down, stressed-out and overwhelmed. Together, this combo can be extremely helpful for refocusing your mind and body.
Both lavender and CBD offer natural help in the areas of stress, and you may find them more appealing than other options. Let’s talk about this powerful combination and how they work in the mind and body.
What is Lavender?
Lavender is a natural herb that comes from the lavender plant. Both the flower and the plant’s oil are used to make different types of medicine. They are also used in many supplements because of their relaxing effects.
Lavender is found in many areas of the world. It is native to the northern part of Africa and the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean. It can also be found in the United States. You may have even enjoyed growing yourself outside as a part of your garden.
This herb is most often grown for its essential oil. It has many healing properties, and it gives off a pleasant fragrance that you may find very appealing and relaxing.
What is Lavender Used For?
Lavender has multiple uses and several benefits. It is often used as part of many skincare products, and it is commonly found in perfumes and shampoos because of its pleasing aroma. There are even some types of lavender that are used as a way to add flavor to food and various baked goods.
Lavender oil also has medicinal properties. It is a known antiseptic, and you may have used it to heal burns or to stop bug bites from itching. You can use it instead of antibiotic cream when you have a cut that you want to heal quickly too. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to keep inflammation and discomfort at bay.
In addition, lavender may be useful at helping with all of the following:
- - Fungal infections
- - Hair loss
- - Stress and worry
- - Sleep problems
- - Premenstrual symptoms in women
- - Overwhelmed thoughts
Does Lavender Cause Side Effects?
If you have never tried lavender before, once you do, you probably won’t notice any major side effects. At most, you may experience its sedative and relaxing effects, but they should be quite pleasant and it doesn’t usually make you sleepy, just calm. Very few people ever experience problems like constipation, headaches and an increased appetite, but it is possible.
When lavender oil is applied to the skin, some people might experience irritation if they have an allergic reaction. But this is extremely uncommon. Diluting the essential oil may be enough to solve this problem, and it is best to use a carrier oil such as jojoba.
You should use caution when you try lavender for the first time because it may make you drowsy. Don’t try to drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you see how it affects you.
How do You Use Lavender?
Lavender can be used in a few different ways. It can be used:
- As a balm to heal burns or to relax and soothe sore muscles.
- In tea to add flavor and add to the tea’s calming effects.
- To soften skin when it is added to a lotion.
- As a way to make massages even more relaxing.
- To promote deeper sleep at night when it is diffused.
- As a welcome addition to house cleaning products.
- As a garnish or marinade for food.
It is also not uncommon for people to place drops of lavender under the tongue to help them reduce stress. When it is applied to the feet, it may help people fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly at night.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It is a type of cannabinoid that is found naturally in cannabis and hemp plants. You may be concerned that using CBD could get you high, but let us assure you that it cannot. It is not considered a psychoactive component of the plant, which allows you to experience its benefits without getting high.
CBD is used in oils because it may help to promote relaxation and calmness in the body. This could make it one of the best solutions for people with stress problems, or who have a “monkey-mind” that keeps them feeling like they can’t control their thoughts and over-stressed reactions to life. .
How Does CBD Work in the Body?
For people who are battling intrusive thoughts or stress, CBD may have a calming effect on the body. Osteopathic doctor, Junella Chin, DO says, “CBD tells your body to calm down and reminds you that you’re safe. It mellows out the central nervous system so you’re not in a heightened ‘fight or flight’ response.”
CBD works by interacting with various receptors, chemicals, and proteins in the brain and body. Those interactions make changes in neurotransmitters, hormones, and other cells. Because of those interactions, cannabidiol may affect many of the body’s normal functions, such as the sleep-wake cycle and the regulation of emotions.
The endocannabinoid system plays a major role in the body; much larger than what researchers once thought. If you’re curious about how CBD works, you must first understand the ECS and how it can impact stress.
About the Endocannabinoid System and its Effect on Stress
The endocannabinoid system was first discovered in the 1990s while researchers were studying THC. THC is just one of the cannabinoids that are present in cannabis. While there is still so much we don’t know about the ECS, we have learned a lot in recent years. The primary function of the ECS is to maintain homeostasis (balance) in the body.
The ECS has three parts – endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Endocannabinoids are made naturally by the body. They are similar to cannabinoids but they are not exactly the same. Their job is to keep the body functioning smoothly at all times. A healthy body produces its own endocannabinoids when necessary, but not everyone’s ECS functions as it should.
Endocannabinoid receptors also have an important job. They are found all throughout the body; much like opioid receptors are. There are two main types – CB1 and CB2 receptors – and they are found in different parts of the body. Endocannabinoids bind to these receptors to produce certain effects.
Enzymes have the job of breaking down endocannabinoids once they are no longer needed.
All three are important, but if you have a poorly functioning ECS, it could impact your stress levels. When it functions well, you will find it easier to achieve a state of balance; both in your mind and body.
Does CBD Oil Have Side Effects?
You may not notice any negative side effects whatsoever when you first start taking CBD. Most people don’t; they only get the benefits of it. But if you’re sensitive to it, you may experience some mild side effects, which will most likely go away as you continue to take it.
The side effects that are considered more common for a small number of CBD users include:
- Weight loss or gain
- Appetite fluctuations
- Bouts of diarrhea
- Feeling sedated or tired
CBD + Lavender and Their Effects on Stress
If you’re like most people, you may have tried either lavender or CBD to help with your stress levels, but not both together. If so, then you are missing out on all the possible benefits that this combination has to offer you. On their own, they may help you get relief from your worries, and they might also help you get better sleep at night. But together, those effects are compounded. But the question is, why?
One answer may lie in a terpene called linalool, which is present in both lavender and CBD.
What is Linalool?
Linalool is present in both lavender and CBD, and it is believed to promote relaxation. Its presence in both only contributes to the entourage effect that people experience when taking them together. This means that they bring their own unique benefits and effects to the table, but those might change when other compounds are present.
Linalool is part of what gives lavender its intoxicating scent, but it is not limited to this plant alone. It is actually present in more than 200 species of plants. In fact, you consume around two grams of it every year through your food, and you probably don’t realize it.
Linalool has antimicrobial properties, which are protective for the plant. But they are also beneficial for people. It has been used in traditional medicine for many years because of its calming effects. When scientists studied linalool, they found that their stress levels were greatly reduced. It also contributes to the health of the immune system.
When is the Best Time to Use CBD + Lavender?
The best time to use CBD + lavender is when you feel stressed or feel anxiety creeping in. This blend can be used morning, noon or right before bed. For daytime calmness, you may want to start with smaller doses and use it throughout the day. This may help combat the stress and worry that often accompanies work or other activities.
What is the Best Way to Take CBD + Lavender?
The best ways to use CBD + lavender are either by dropping the oil under the tongue or as a balm or cream. Most people find better results when they use it sublingually because it is much more bioavailable. It may work faster than through the skin; although that can be effective as well.
What’s the Best Type of CBD for Stress?
There are many different types of CBD on the market, which means it can be easy to get confused. If you’re new to CBD, you may not know which types may offer you more benefits.
In our opinion, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum offer the most benefits. This is because, with full-spectrum, all of the cannabinoid compounds within the plant are used; this includes THC in trace amounts. This contributes to the entourage effect, which we discussed earlier.
Broad-spectrum CBD has 0% THC, so all of the benefits of the other cannabinoids are there. This type might be attractive to someone who is worried about consuming THC for a number of reasons.
Meet One of Our Newest Products: Serious Relax CBD + Lavender
When we formulated Serious Relax CBD + Lavender (link here), we made sure we only used natural, organic ingredients. It contains a few other ingredients as well, such as limonene terpenes, passionflower and MCT oil, which may all contribute to helping you feel more calm, cool and relaxed.
Overthinking and worrying may have become a part of your everyday life. But that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Serious Relax CBD + Lavender could give you the relief you’ve been looking for; whether it’s for better brain-power, reducing intrusive thoughts or for a clearer, calmer, more focused mind.
Learn More About CBD + Lavender for Stress Relief
At Receptra Naturals, we know the value of being ready to face your day. That’s nearly impossible when you’re not thinking clearly, feel overwhelmed or you’re always worrying. Serious Relax CBD + Lavender was formulated to give you the boost you need to be triumphant every single day.
Would you like to know more about how CBD and lavender might help you with stress and think calmly? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact us today, or make sure to check out our shop to learn more about our products.