CBD and Its Role in Maintaining Health in The UK: Rest and Relaxation

In recent times, CBD has gained popularity in the UK. Only eight years ago, the substance was illegal. Once it gained legal status in 2017, the sector saw huge growth like never seen before.

The factors impacting this growth can be attributed to new studies that support the efficacy and safety of CBD. Presently, more than 1 million people use CBD in various product forms. A study from the UK Centre for Medicinal Cannabis showed that the industry was worth approximately £300 million two years after it was legalised. It is also projected that the market will surpass £1 billion by 2025.

From stress relief to better sleep quality, there are numerous CBD health benefits. In addition, the UK government drew up rules for manufacturers before their products can be placed on the shelves. This helps ensure that the products remain impactful for health and wellness, as studies have shown.

How CBD Affects the Body for Rest and Relaxation

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which includes the body’s nervous system and entire immune system. It is an important system because it regulates bodily functions like pain, sleep, and mood, thereby maintaining homeostasis. While it lacks an intoxicating effect, this compound can be useful for relaxation. It produces a calming effect, pain relief, alters the mood, controls blood pressure, and promotes healthy sleep.

Calming Effect and Stress Relief with CBD

CBD relaxation products are often recommended for patients with anxiety because of their calming effect. While more research is needed to show how it works, it is clear that the compound affects serotonin levels, changing your mood in the process. Serotonin is produced in the body, and it regulates digestion, sleep, mood, and behaviour.

Previous research by mental health experts has shown that upping the serotonin dosage in patients with depression can help treat their anxiety. This is why many antidepressant medications contain compounds that regulate serotonin in the body.

Pain Relief

Using CBD for relaxation has been shown to reduce the symptoms of chronic pain and scientists attribute it to its anti-inflammatory properties. As mentioned earlier, CBD communicates with the endocannabinoid system and ultimately alleviates symptoms of inflammation and pain. Since it also produces a calming effect, it can ease inflammation and promote healthy sleep.

CBD for Mental Health

CBD has also been considered for its mental health benefits. Research on this is still ongoing, but there has been some promising evidence that the compound can improve mental health in different ways.

For post-traumatic stress disorder, which 1 in 10 war veterans suffers, CBD relaxation products have been proven to be effective. A 2022 study showed that 300 mg of CBD, when ingested before thinking about a traumatic event, led to reduced anxiety.

This study, however, proved that it was limited in what it could do in this aspect. CBD was unable to replicate the same effect with participants who suffered sexual trauma. It only worked for those without sexual trauma, and this has been taken into consideration.

CBD for Stress Relief and Relaxation

Studies have shown that CBD can alleviate stress and promote relaxation because of their interaction with the endocannabinoid system. The helpful doses range from 6 mg to 400 mg. When CBD interacts with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system, it regulates physiological processes which include stress and mood responses.

A study in the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology shows that CBD can reduce anxiety in human studies and pre-clinicals. One specific study, which included some healthy volunteers, showed that when CBD is paired with THC, it can mitigate anxiety symptoms. 

Another study found that CBD products reduce tension, which inevitably leads to anxiety symptoms. According to the study, CBD may help manage anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.

CBD has also been proven effective for physical stress relief. Topical CBD and a healthy balance of other ingredients have been found to soothe muscle pain and tension. The products not only soothe the muscles but also help a person relax.

The potential mechanism that makes it possible is CBD’s anxiolytic effects. When it interacts with serotonin receptors in the body, it can inhibit anxiety and lighten the mood. Another possible reason is that CBD changes the cannabinoid system by inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down endocannabinoids such as anandamide.

More studies are needed to show the full effect of stress relief with CBD, both mentally and physically. In the meantime, it has proven to be helpful.

How CBD Helps Sleep Quality

CBD helps improve sleep in higher doses. One study compared a 160 mg dose of CBD with a placebo and found that the former improved the sleep quality of the participants. The study also compared the effects of different concentrations of CBD with insomnia medications. 160 mg, 80 mg and 40 mg of CBD alongside 5 mg of nitrazepam improved sleep quality for participants. 

To come to this conclusion, the researchers investigated cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone. These hormones peak in the morning to help individuals stay awake and alert. When people have insomnia, their cortisol levels peak, causing trouble with falling asleep and staying asleep.

Another study shows that 300 or 600 mg of CBD can decrease cortisol levels when it is taken in oil form. In this case, CBD oil inhibits the release of cortisol and acts as a sedative. Another study, which was more recent, revealed that CBD was effective for anxiety and poor sleep when the participants took it with other medications. The helpful doses in this case ranged from 25 mg to 175 mg. 

According to the study, 25 mg of CBD was effective for anxiety, and during the study, which took a period of three months, the investigators reported that up to 66% had improved sleep routines. However, around 25% did not benefit from this treatment. The successful number was reduced by 10% after a second follow-up, but the result was enough to conclude that CBD helps some people sleep better in the short term.

Pain can also disrupt restful sleep and CBD can alleviate the symptoms to improve sleep quality. When a person gets a good night's sleep, they wake up refreshed and can go about their day energetically. Restlessness, if left unchecked, can affect the body and the mind. This is how CBD helps sleep by promoting mindfulness.

Scientific Evidence Behind CBD’s Relaxation Benefits

A few studies have pointed to the efficacy of CBD for relaxation. One preclinical study which was conducted on animals showed that CBD reduces anxiety because of its anxiolytic properties. The test subjects for this trial were rats, and it showed anxiolytic effects, effectively reducing the behaviours linked with anxiety.

Further studies showed that CBD prevented specific behaviours, such as fear expression and conditioning, which are associated with anxiety. Also, it helped reconsolidate aversive memories, which could prevent patients from reliving the moment of their trauma. 

In the marble burying test conducted during the study, the researchers discovered that CBD has anti-compulsive effects. It also showed panicolytic effects and delayed responses to stress in the mice. The studies further showed that CBD impacted the medial prefrontal cortex and accumbens, an effect similar to haloperidol and clozapine, psychiatric medications.

There have also been a few human studies showing that CBD promotes relaxation by reducing anxiety. One study in 1993 revealed that participants who ingested CBD performed better in public speaking. Another study in 2003 confirmed the same results, concluding that CBD reduced the feelings of anxiety in people compared to those who were given a placebo.

Another clinical study involved 103 patients in a psychiatric hospital. The researchers found that CBD helped the patients sleep better and reduced their anxiety. Also, it was easier to administer the compound to the patients compared to their regular psychiatric medications.

In a recent 2022 study, CBD had better effects than anxiety medication. The participants were young people, and their symptoms improved greatly after they were placed on CBD. Three years before this study was conducted, another set of young people participated in a study that showed CBD can be effective for social anxiety disorder.

However, there are more studies on CBD for mental health benefits: further epidemiological studies showed how CBD can help treat anxiety disorders as it interacts with brain receptors to regulate mood. However, more research is needed to determine the proper dosage. 

Besides relaxation benefits, CBD has also been proven to provide health benefits. Since 2900 BC, CBD has been used for pain relief. Proof of this was found in Chinese medicine. In more recent times, preclinical studies suggest that CBD may be helpful in reducing chronic pain from diseases such as fibromyalgia.

Another research study published in 2022 showed that CBD can improve symptoms related to more serious diseases like cancer. Some symptoms it helped relieve include nausea, pain and vomiting. 

CBD’s neuroprotective properties also became apparent in 2022 with a study of neurological disorders. During the study, Sativex spray containing CBD was applied to patients with multiple sclerosis. The result was reduced pain and muscle spasticity.

Research from 2017 on Dravet syndrome showed that CBD may reduce seizures, especially in children. However, there were some concerns about the adverse reactions it caused. There has also been further research in this regard, leading to the development of a CBD product called Epidolex for seizure treatments.

What of heart health? There have been some strides in CBD used for treating high blood pressure. One study shows CBD may help people with high blood pressure by influencing muscle contractions and widening blood vessels. In 2020, a study involving 26 healthy men revealed that treating participants with 600 mg of CBD for just seven days caused reductions in blood pressure. The effects of the trial lasted for just seven days; however, it showed that CBD can be beneficial to heart health.

Substance use is another aspect of health that CBD has been proven to help treat. Researchers found that treating other symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, makes it easier to treat dependence on drugs like heroin.

During some of these studies, some drawbacks were noticed. While CBD is considered safe, it has been known to cause some adverse reactions like fatigue, diarrhoea and changes in weight. Some have been said to cause drowsiness, pneumonia, and abnormal results on the liver function test.

The researchers also believe that many of the side effects may have been caused by drug interaction with other medications. This is why more studies are needed to determine the efficacy of CBD and the appropriate dosage.

How to Incorporate CBD into Daily Routine for Maximum Benefits

There are so many ways to incorporate CBD into your daily routine. First, let us talk about the type of CBD options available to incorporate into your daily life. There are oral CBD products, which include capsules, tinctures, and gummies. Tinctures are fast-acting CBD products, and they usually come in a bottle with a dropper. These products also contain different concentrations of CBD depending on what a person wants and flavour options.

Tinctures can be applied under the tongue with a dropper. There’s also a need to hold it for around 30 seconds before swallowing to give it a chance to enter the bloodstream directly. The capsules and gummies are edibles but must be swallowed to be absorbed in the digestive tract.

CBD also has topical products, which include balms, gels, and lotions. Topicals are applied to the skin for better absorption. These products are often better for people with inflammation from physically demanding jobs. On the other hand, lotions are part of skincare routines for clear and brighter skin. The bath bombs are also a part of the skincare routine but offer a more relaxing experience, just like a day at the spa.

After choosing one option that works, here are some ways to incorporate CBD into your routine.

Morning Dose

There are a few ways to incorporate CBD into your morning routine to power you all through the day. You can add CBD tinctures to your morning coffee or use CBD oil to prepare breakfast. They are also soft gel capsules to swallow in the morning before you start your day. 

Dosage is important because it may make users feel a little too relaxed during the day. Those who do not have such issues can opt for any of these options.

Afternoon Dose

CBD has proven to be helpful for post-workout recovery. It is also perfect as a pre-workout supplement. So, it can be taken or applied topically after a workout to aid in muscle recovery. Most topicals for the purpose are mixed with ingredients like menthol to soothe the joints after a tough workout.

Night Dose

For those who have trouble falling asleep, experts recommend winding down before bed. This means taking a shower, shutting down screens, and putting off lights. Incorporation of CBD can also help promote sleep. There are CBD products specifically for a restful night's sleep, which contain melatonin.

This is the best way to incorporate CBD before going to bed. It is still possible to use a soft gel capsule, but a higher concentration of CBD may be better for a good night's sleep. CBD and well-being can be the perfect pair; you just need to find the best routine for it.

Conclusion: Is CBD a Viable Solution for Rest and Relaxation?

CBD is a new supplement, as it was only legalised in 2017. Despite being a novel supplement, it is projected to grow to a £1 billion market in 2025. It has broken into not just the healthcare industry but the beauty industry as well. This is why there are topical CBD creams, ointments and gels. These products are applied to the skin and provide relief for inflammation and offer other skin benefits such as brighter, smoother and hydrated skin. 

Other products on the market include oils, tinctures, and edibles. The difference between most of them is the absorption time. Regardless of the form, CBD has been proven to offer a wide range of health benefits. 

Various studies have shown a positive trend in promoting restful sleep and reducing anxiety. Participants in various studies fell asleep faster and recorded better sleep quality. CBD has also been linked to pain management as it interacts with receptors that are responsible for mood control. The compound may also reduce stress and calm the body. 

Other CBD health benefit examples include improving blood pressure and mitigating symptoms of chronic diseases such as cancer. A lot still needs to be done to study its efficacy, but from anecdotal and clinical evidence so far, it has a promising potential for improving health. 

The UK has a high rate of depression and PTSD owing to the dull weather. CBD and well-being go together, so using a naturally occurring compound such as CBD for treating the symptoms of these illnesses will go a long way.