CBD and Yoga: How They Can Improve Your Body

The life we live in today is full of stress and anxiety that can arise from everyday activities, such as jam-packed schedules, finances, relationships, chronic illness, you name them. Finding a way to ease such stressors is essential not only to your mind but to your overall well-being. While there are various ways to improve your mind and body, CBD yoga and meditation are two of them.

But, what exactly is CBD?

Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is an active cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. Unlike its counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not have psychoactive effects, meaning you won’t get high.

CBD has found its way in the healthcare industry due to potential health benefits, including easing stress, reducing inflammation, alleviating chronic pain, among others. People are shifting to natural ways to combat the symptoms, and CBD has proven effective.

Experts suggest that incorporating CBD oil into yoga may offer tremendous benefits, including:

Reduces stress & calms your mind

Stress and anxiety are common mental health conditions that can arise from just about anything in life — tight deadlines, family, financial constraints, and much more. If not treated, stress can lower your productivity and overall health. However, CBD yoga class has shown promise — it can reduce stress and calm your mind.

The human body has a complex cell signaling network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that maintains homeostasis. CBD oil interacts with receptors in the ECS to alleviate mental and physical stress that could affect your yoga practice.

CBD also lowers cortisol, a stress hormone that causes you to feel anxious and stressed. By boosting your body’s ability to reduce stress, you’ll experience overall body relaxation and a calmer state of mind.

A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that CBD reduced anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. CBD did reduce not only stress but also discomfort in their speech.

Heightens your focus

Yoga isn’t just about keeping your body fit. Getting the most out of your yoga practice requires a high level of concentration and focus. With all the many distractions in your surroundings, it’s hard to focus.

CBD is known to boost attention levels so that you are not distracted by events happening around you. It is directly involved with neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which play a crucial role in remaining focused.

Researchers in a 2014 study published in the Current Neuropharmacology found that CBD is a wake-promoting agent, meaning it is responsible for wakefulness, increasing focus. When your focus is heightened, your CBD yoga class will improve.

If you find dealing with daily distractions a challenge, consider CBD yoga, which can take your practice to another level.

Relieves soreness, inflammation, and muscular aches

If you engage in a vigorous yoga routine, you’re likely to experience muscle soreness, pain, and inflammation, which can hinder your practice. Incorporating CBD oil into your yoga routine can boost your exercise.

CBD has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that work to reduce inflammation and offer pain relief. When you take CBD, it interacts with receptors responsible for pain and inflammation, providing the needed comfort.

A study conducted in 2018 examined the effectiveness of CBD in reducing pain and inflammation. Researchers concluded that CBD is an effective and safe treatment for pain dealing with neuropathy.

Therefore, using CBD after a yoga practice will help you recover faster by relieving pain, fighting inflammation, and soothing sore muscles.

It helps regulate sleep patterns.

Many people who experience a lack of sleep tend to practice yoga daily to improve their sleep patterns. However, CBD yoga is thought to offer a healthy sleep pattern while providing many other benefits.

When CBD enters the body, it binds with receptors in the brain that regulate sleep. When you use CBD alongside yoga, your body will feel calm and relaxed, helping you sleep much faster.

A 2019 study investigated the effects of CBD on anxiety and sleep. Out of 72 adults examined, 47 had anxiety, while 25 experienced poor sleep patterns. After using a daily administration for one month of CBD, 66.7% reported improved sleep. Therefore, CBD can offer a good night’s sleep.

If you’re having difficulties catching some sleep, consider using CBD alongside your yoga routine.

Relieves anxiety and depression

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 40 million adults in the United States suffer anxiety disorders. That’s 18.1% of the population every year.

People are in constant search of ways to combat anxiety and depression. Many have introduced a daily yoga routine to lower the symptoms. While it works for some people, for others, it’s just a normal fitness routine. Others have even tried yoga and meditation, which seems to reduce the symptoms.

CBD yoga, however, holds benefits for anxiety and depression. CBD inhibits neurotransmitters responsible for stress and anxiety. It also lowers stress hormones (cortisol), thus relieving the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Researchers who conducted a 2015 study found that CBD is a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, including:

• generalized anxiety disorder
• social anxiety disorder
• panic disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder

May Get rid of menstrual pain

Many women practice yoga during their monthly period to ease the pain that comes with their menses. While exercise might work for some, it may not work for others.

CBD yoga has shown promise to get rid of menstrual pain. While no one knows how CBD works to alleviate menstrual pain, experts believe that the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce cramps and abdominal pains.

A 2017 study examined the benefits of endocannabinoids in endometriosis pain management. Researchers concluded there’s a link between the ECS and pain associated with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition that causes severe pain during menstrual periods.

A daily CBD yoga regimen might be helpful to women who often experience pain during their menstrual period.

It helps regulate appetite and weight

Yoga is not just about losing weight and getting fit. CBD is known to regulate appetite, which might help with weight loss.

According to research, CBD yoga can help people lose weight by lowering their food intake and increasing their metabolism. CBD, for example, influences weight by inhibiting CB1 receptors, according to a 2017 animal report. Obese individuals have an excess of these receptors in their fatty tissues.

A more recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences investigated the role of cannabinoids in obesity. Researchers concluded that CBD inhibits CB1 receptors suppressing hunger, which could lead to weight loss. Also, the stimulation of CB2 receptors promotes anti-obesity effects by lowering food intake and weight gain.

The link between CB1 and CB2 receptors and obesity holds benefits in regulating appetite and weight.

Regulates mood

An unhappy mood is often caused by stress, anxiety, and depression. But since CBD has shown promise to alleviate the symptoms, the result is an improved mood. Experts believe that CBD improves mood with the usual euphoria associated with marijuana.

A 2018 review investigated the therapeutic potential of CBD on different health conditions, including anxiety, the primary cause of a sad mood. Researchers found that CBD has anxiolytic properties.

CBD works by impacting the way the brain responds to mood and stabilizes. Besides, yoga releases endorphins ‘feel good’ hormones resulting in a happy mood. Combined with a solid yoga routine, CBD can help you feel satisfied and rejuvenated throughout the day. Nothing beats a day when you’re healthy and have a cheerful mood.

Final thoughts

CBD is a natural supplement that has shown promise in treating several ailments. CBD yoga will improve not only your body but also your overall health and wellness. However, it is crucial to talk to a doctor before using any form of CBD products. Since CBD is highly unregulated, it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

Updated March 8, 2021.