In a world full of noise, distractions, and stress, it may be a struggle to focus throughout the day. Is locking in on work and getting tasks and errands accomplished becoming more of a hassle? Missing out on conversations because you can’t stay focused? After hearing all the wonderful things about cannabidiol, you may be wondering, “Can CBD help me focus?” Let’s explain how CBD may be able to affect energy and focus.
What Is CBD?
You have probably heard about CBD and know a little about it if you are here, but let’s have a refresher. CBD is short for cannabidiol, a kind of cannabinoid, or natural compound, found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Legal CBD is produced from hemp, making it far more plentiful than THC, the cannabinoid known to cause highs.
Since CBD is not THC, you get to know the psychoactive effects. That does not mean that CBD is without its influence. It just tends to be more subtle and therapeutic.
Why does this happen? It is because CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is found throughout the body but primarily through the central and peripheral nervous systems [1]. In other words, CBD acts like the neurotransmitters and other molecules that support equilibrium within the body [2].
And as you may have guessed, if that equilibrium is thrown off balance, it gets a bit hard to concentrate and focus.
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What Contributes To A Loss Of Focus Throughout The Day?
Think about all the things you have to deal with on a daily basis, such as school, work, errands, commuting, and so much more. On top of that, you may be missing out on sleep, which spikes your cortisol levels. Without sleep, your brain cannot function properly. You feel slow and foggy, and your memory doesn’t work as it should.
The same happens when you have to deal with stressful days. Having your body constantly thrown into the fight or flight response does not do you any good. Furthermore, losing sleep causes you to feel stressed more easily, and stress can induce sleep issues. It’s a never-ending cycle [3]!
Medication, dehydration, poor nutrition, and a lack of exercise can also contribute to low energy levels and a lack of focus.
What Does Research Say About CBD And Focus?
Although there has not been much research done on CBD and focus specifically, there have been studies on the effect of cannabidiol on the factors that contribute to poor focus and concentration. Presently, a clinical trial is underway to test how CBD alters focus levels, but there has not been any update on the progress since the beginning of 2022 [4].
Yet, it is possible to draw some information from published studies. Take, for instance, a review of research in 2014 [5]. The scientists concluded that CBD may promote focus in some people, but this has yet to be replicated in a larger group.
Another study from 2015 suggested that CBD has an impact on the endocannabinoid system that could promote concentration [6]. In the study, participants who used CBD had improved facial emotional recognition, which pointed to heightened cognition.
A 2021 systematic review looked at 194 different studies (17 were excluded) and found that CBD “induces significant alterations in brain activity and connectivity patterns during resting state and performance of cognitive tasks” [7].
Non-Direct Ways CBD May Help With Focus
Research on CBD for focus may be lacking, but let’s not overlook how CBD may improve wakefulness and focus indirectly. In a large case study from 2019, it was found that CBD improved sleep and decreased anxiety [8].
Another recent study from 2021 has currently entered the next phase after finding that a high-CBD sublingual solution significantly reduced anxiety during a 4 week period [9]. The clinical trial is moving on to see if symptoms can be reduced for longer periods.
When you feel more relaxed, you can sleep better. In turn, your body is able to recover from the stress you experience throughout the day. You can wake up the next day more refreshed, meaning you will be able to concentrate on whatever tasks come your way.
Although more research is needed to say whether CBD can help with focus, the evidence supporting the potential is growing.
Ready To Try CBD For More Focus And Energy?
Cannabidiol is not a stimulant like caffeine, but it does interact with the body in many ways. Although research has yet to make a definitive statement about CBD being able to help with focus, there has been evidence that it may relieve some other issues that make it more difficult to concentrate throughout the day.
If you would like to try supplementing with CBD to help you focus, consider getting your CBD oil and edibles from Sugar Bottom Hemp. Our wide variety of products is made with high-quality, minimally processed CBD that has been tested in an independent, third-party lab. Check out our products today and see what makes us different!
Bibliography
1. Zou, S., & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(3), 833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030833
2. Pretzsch, C. M., Freyberg, J., Voinescu, B., Lythgoe, D., Horder, J., Mendez, M. A., Wichers, R., Ajram, L., Ivin, G., Heasman, M., Edden, R. A. E., Williams, S., Murphy, D. G. M., Daly, E., & McAlonan, G. M. (2019). Effects of cannabidiol on brain excitation and inhibition systems; a randomised placebo-controlled single dose trial during magnetic resonance spectroscopy in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology, 44(8), 1398–1405. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0333-8
3. Dusang, K. (2020, June 10). How stress can affect your sleep. Baylor College of Medicine. https://www.bcm.edu/news/how-stress-can-affect-your-sleep
4. Stewart, J. (2022, January 12). Cannabidiol and Focus Study (CBD-Focus). U.S. National Library of Medicine Clinical Trials. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05189275
5. Murillo-Rodriguez, E., Sarro-Ramirez, A., Sanchez, D., Mijangos-Moreno, S., Tejeda-Padron, A., Poot-Ake, A., Guzman, K., Pacheco-Pantoja, E., & Arias-Carrion, O. (2014). Potential Effects of Cannabidiol as a Wake-Promoting Agent. Current Neuropharmacology, 12(3), 269–272. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159×11666131204235805
6. Hindocha, C., Freeman, T. P., Schafer, G., Gardener, C., Das, R. K., Morgan, C. J., & Curran, H. V. (2015). Acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and their combination on facial emotion recognition: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in cannabis users. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 25(3), 325–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.11.014
7. Batalla, A., Bos, J., Postma, A., & Bossong, M. G. (2021b). The Impact of Cannabidiol on Human Brain Function: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.618184
8. Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019b). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/18-041
9. Dahlgren, M. K., Lambros, A. M., Smith, R. T., Sagar, K. A., El-Abboud, C., & Gruber, S. A. (2022b). Clinical and cognitive improvement following full-spectrum, high-cannabidiol treatment for anxiety: open-label data from a two-stage, phase 2 clinical trial. Communications Medicine, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-022-00202-8
