Stress may not always feel natural, but it’s actually a normal part of how your body responds to the world. You’ve probably heard the evolutionary reason we’ve developed stress over time – if a lion or tiger is approaching us, stress allows us to react more quickly and protect ourselves from being eaten. Although most of us are not being approached by lions or tigers these days, our bodies don’t know the difference between that stress and the stress we feel from being behind on a deadline or sitting in traffic running late to an appointment.
While acute stress is perfectly normal – and unavoidable – if you experience high levels of stress over a long period of time, you may start to notice a negative impact on your health, both physical and mental. Chronic stress can have a wide range of effects on your mind and body, from your mood and brain power to your gut health and immune system. While getting rid of all stressors in your life is impossible, there are ways to proactively manage and retroactively treat chronic stress in order to improve your overall health and wellbeing.
What Is Stress?
When something stressful happens to you, your body releases hormones that create the feeling of stress. This can include symptoms such as:
- An elevated pulse
- Feelings of anxiety or depression
- Muscle tension
- Shortness of breath
Frequent stress and its symptoms can create ripple effects for your physical and mental health, especially when you’re feeling stressed out more often than not. One way to think about stress is to consider its external forces, internal effects, and how you react to both of these factors together.
- External forces: work, money, relationships, current events, social media, etc.
- Internal forces: Your body’s physical response to stress like a lack of energy, tense jaw and muscles, or getting sick more frequently.
- How you mentally process these external and internal factors through increased levels of worry or lack of focus.
Another frame of reference you can use to understand stress is the fight/flight/freeze response. When we encounter danger, our brain tells our body to release a flood of adrenaline and other chemicals we need to deal with the situation. When the tiger approaches, for example, your body is prepared to either run from it or fight for your life.
The addition of “freeze” to the “fight or flight” model largely represents the general lack of actual predators in our modern lives. Modern stressors lean more toward psychological and emotional threats that come from our environment and our life circumstances, so overtime the body has created a third option of freezing in response.
The Body’s Response to Stress
Measuring stress levels can be a challenge, as we all feel and experience stress differently. But thanks to science, we are now able to understand what is causing our stress symptoms to appear, as well as how they impact numerous parts of our health.
When you start to feel stressed, your body starts by activating a part of your brain called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). Your HPA is the main part of your body’s network of nerves and hormones that respond to threats—including those coming from both inside and outside of your body. When your system identifies a threat, it releases adrenaline, intended to act as fast fuel.
If you don’t turn this influx of adrenaline into a physical fight or flight response, the related hormonal and chemical changes in your body can cause:
- Hypertension
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Skin complaints
- Muscle tension and pain
When exposed to this kind of stress response consistently, it can lead to more lasting problems over time.
Impact of Stress on the Body
Besides adrenaline, chronic stress can cause your HPA to produce excess amounts of other stress hormones such as cortisol. Overproduction of these hormones can affect several mental and physical systems in your body and lead to long-term issues.
The impact of stress on the body includes:
Mood
How does stress impact your mental health? If you’re actually facing a threat, stress could temporarily help to boost your mental capacity, alter your mood, and ultimately improve your chances of survival. These may include momentary feelings of:
- Increased awareness
- Improved cognition
- Euphoria
- Enhanced resistance to feeling pain
However, because we usually don’t end up applying that extra adrenaline to fight off a real physical danger, this misdirected stress can contribute to:
- Anxiety
- Affective disorders
- Major depression
- Addiction
As CBD gets more and more popular, there are more and more options to choose from. And even though full-spectrum CBD is one of the more popular forms of CBD, is it actually “better” than other types? What is the best CBD oil for you?
Let’s explore the benefits of full-spectrum CBD and compare it to other types to find out.
- What is the difference between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD?
- How does taking full-spectrum CBD make you feel?
- Should I take full-spectrum CBD?
- What is the most effective form of CBD?
What Is The Difference Between CBD Isolate And Full-Spectrum CBD?
If you’re considering taking CBD, you’ve probably come across two main types: CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD. Understanding the differences can help you make a more informed decision about which is best for you.
First up, CBD isolate — and it’s just what it sounds like — pure CBD. It doesn’t contain any other compounds from the cannabis plant, such as terpenes, flavonoids, or other cannabinoids. This type of CBD is processed to remove all other compounds, leaving behind just CBD.
Full-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, is a blend of various compounds found in the cannabis plant, including CBD, terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. These compounds work together to create a more potent product, known as the “entourage effect.” The idea is that the various compounds in full-spectrum CBD can enhance each other’s effects and create a more powerful product.
CBD isolate is great if you’re looking for a simple, straightforward product. It’s easy to measure the dose and you know exactly how much CBD you’re getting in each serving. CBD isolate is also a good choice if you’re looking for a product that won’t contain any THC, as the other compounds are removed during processing.
Full-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, is a good choice if you’re looking for a more potent product. The various compounds in full-spectrum CBD can enhance each other’s effects and create a more powerful product. Full-spectrum CBD is also a good choice if you’re looking for a product that contains THC, as long as it’s legal in your state and you’re okay with consuming it.
It’s also important to note that everyone is different and may experience different effects from taking CBD isolate or full-spectrum CBD. It’s always best to start with a low dose and gradually increase until you find the right amount that works for you. It’s also important to talk to your doctor before taking CBD, especially if you’re taking other medications.
How Does Taking Full-Spectrum CBD Make You Feel?
Full-spectrum CBD has been gaining a lot of popularity lately for its potential health benefits. But you might be wondering how it actually makes you feel — here’s what you need to know.
First of all, it’s important to note that everyone is unique. You may experience different effects from taking full-spectrum CBD compared to someone else. That being said, here are some of the most common feelings people report after taking full-spectrum CBD.
Relaxation. One of the most commonly reported effects of full-spectrum CBD is a feeling of relaxation. Many people take full-spectrum CBD to help them manage feelings of anxiety and stress, and many report feeling more relaxed and calm after taking it.
Pain relief. Full-spectrum CBD has also been shown to have potential pain-relieving effects. If you’re taking full-spectrum CBD for pain relief, you may experience a reduction in pain and discomfort.
Increased focus and clarity. Some people report feeling more focused and clear-headed after taking full-spectrum CBD. This could be due to its potential effects on anxiety and stress.
Improved sleep. If you’re taking full-spectrum CBD to help you sleep better, you may experience improved sleep quality and wake up feeling more refreshed.
Improved mood. Full-spectrum CBD has also been shown to have potential mood-enhancing effects. Some people report feeling more positive and upbeat after taking it.
Should I Take Full-Spectrum CBD?
Are you curious about full-spectrum CBD and wondering whether it’s right for you? Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Pros Of Full-Spectrum CBD
Wider range of benefits. Full-spectrum CBD contains a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes compared to CBD isolate. This means it may offer a wider range of health benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and managing pain.
Entourage effect. The “entourage effect” refers to the idea that the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes in full-spectrum CBD work together to produce greater benefits than taking CBD isolate alone.
Less processed. Full-spectrum CBD usually isn’t as processed as other types of CBD, which means it retains more of the natural compounds found in the cannabis plant.
Cons Of Full-Spectrum CBD
THC content. Full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC, which could be a concern for some people, especially if they are subject to drug testing.
Strong taste. Full-spectrum CBD can have a strong, earthy taste that some people find unpleasant.
Price. Full-spectrum CBD products tend to be more expensive than CBD isolate products, which could be a drawback for some people.
What Is The Most Effective Form Of CBD?
If you’re considering taking CBD, you might be wondering what the most effective form is. There are a few different options to choose from, so let’s break them down.
First, there’s CBD isolate. That’s pure CBD without any other compounds from the cannabis plant. This is a great choice if you want a mild, neutral-tasting product without any THC. But, because it doesn’t contain any other cannabinoids or terpenes, it may not offer the same range of benefits as other forms of CBD.
Next, there’s full-spectrum CBD. This type has all the compounds found in the cannabis plant, including trace amounts of THC. Full-spectrum CBD may offer a wider range of benefits because the different cannabinoids and terpenes work together to produce a greater effect. But, the presence of THC could be a concern for some people, especially if they’re subject to drug testing.
Finally, there’s broad-spectrum CBD. It’s similar to full-spectrum CBD, but it doesn’t contain any THC. This makes it a good option if you want the benefits of full-spectrum CBD without the THC.
So, what’s the most effective form of CBD? It depends on your personal preferences and goals. If you’re looking for a mild, neutral-tasting product, CBD isolate is a great choice. If you’re interested in the wider range of benefits that full-spectrum CBD offers, but you’re concerned about the THC, broad-spectrum CBD may be the way to go.
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The content provided by Acknowledge CBD is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on information from this site. Reliance on any information provided by Acknowledge CBD is solely at your own risk.