What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in hemp. Hemp is a variant of the cannabis sativa plant that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. 

CBD has gained widespread attention and use because it has potential therapeutic benefits for many different things, including anxiety, pain, and sleep support.  

Why Shop CBD for Stress at Natural Ways CBD?

At Natural Ways CBD, we only carry products that contain less than 0.3% THC and have been tested by a 3rd-party lab to verify their safety and potency. 

But legal, safe, and effective products are table stakes for any CBD brand — what truly sets us apart is our:

• Selection & prices: But we aren’t limited to carrying our own products; we also curate the best of what other companies have to offer. This means you get more options to choose from without needing to spend more time vetting products: you can confidently select an option and know that it will be safe and effective. Our selection comprises 100+ products from more than 10 brands, including well-known brands like 3Chi and 8th Wonder Cannabis. Enjoy competitive prices on your favorite items while accessing our array of CBD, CBG, CBN, delta 8, and delta 9 products.
• Shipping & returns: We offer free next-day shipping on all orders over $49 dollars so you can get your essential therapeutic items (and favorite recreational items) for less.All of our products come with a 14-day return guarantee if unopened. If your product(s) arrive and you discover they’re not what you need, you can return them with no hassle.
• Values:  We put people over profit. Our company was started after the owners experienced a medical scare with a family member and witnessed how CBD products helped. We’re dedicated to making natural wellness available to all; we do that by offering the highest-quality products at fair prices.

Does CBD Help With Stress?

Yes, CBD may promote a calm, relaxed mental state. CBD has been researched for stress and anxiety, and many of the studies are positive. 

While CBD isn’t a proven stress reducer and isn’t a treatment for conditions that cause stress, scientific and anecdotal evidence suggests CBD products have therapeutic potential for supporting mental balance.

What are the Benefits of CBD for Stress?

Several scientific studies suggest CBD may have therapeutic potential for stress.

A 2021 review by researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia found that CBD supported a healthy stress response in 232 participants across several studies.

In a 2023 study, researchers from Wayne State University administered broad spectrum CBD and CBD isolate to a total of 374 participants. Across the board, participants reported that CBD promoted a healthy stress response, with broad spectrum CBD being more effective than CBD isolate. 

How Does CBD Work in the Body?

CBD works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a receptor system responsible for maintaining mental and physical homeostasis, or balance. 

Your ECS regulates all of your vital functions, including the sleep-wake cycle, stress and anxiety response, immune response, inflammatory response, and mood. 

By regulating your vital functions, the ECS works to maintain normal states of health for the mind and body. CBD may promote balance by interacting with the ECS and helping it to better perform its function. 

However, CBD doesn’t bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS as most cannabinoids do. Instead, research suggests CBD promotes wellness by preventing the breakdown of your endocannabinoids, or internal cannabinoids. 

Research also suggests CBD may affect how neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) work in your brain, thereby promoting mental balance.

Side Effects of CBD

CBD is generally considered safe and well-tolerated. However, there are some potential adverse effects associated with CBD products.

Potential side effects of CBD may include:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Fatigue

To minimize or avoid these side effects, start by taking low doses of CBD. 

How Much CBD Should You Take for Stress?

For stress, it’s best to start by taking a low-strength dosage of CBD, then slowly increasing it.

For a low-strength dosage, you can use the following formula:

(0.1) x (your body weight in lbs.) = your daily CBD dosage in mg. for anxiety or stress

Since stress will feel different for you than it will for anyone else, finding the right CBD dosage will require some experimentation. You’ll need to closely observe how you respond and adjust accordingly.

How to Choose CBD Products for Stress

When it comes to choosing the right CBD product for stress, there are a few things you’ll want to do:

• Check lab reports: Only buy CBD products that have a certificate of analysis (COA) from a 3rd-party lab. Reputable companies have their products tested to verify potency, safety, and authenticity.

• Read ingredients: Make sure the ingredients list for the product you’re interested in specifically says cannabidiol. If it says hempseed oil or cannabis sativa oil, it doesn’t contain any CBD. Additionally, ensure the product contains a cannabinoid blend that’s appropriate for your situation (e.g. products with THC may not be preferable if you have drug testing concerns).

• Check the source: Buy products that are made by reputable companies from organic hemp grown in the US. Because US hemp is subject to regulation, it won’t contain more than 0.3% THC by law, so you can assume with high confidence that you’re getting a safe, legal product. 

• Read reviews: The only surefire way to tell how effective a product is to read real people’s reviews of it. Read reviews on the brand’s site and 3rd-party sites to learn more about the product.
• Keep dosage in mind: Based on your estimate of how much CBD you need to take, buy a product that enables you to get this dose without much hassle (e.g. for gummies, ensure each gummy contains roughly the amount of CBD you want to take each time).