3 Compelling Reasons to Use CBD for Productivity

Life can be hectic. You may feel constantly bombarded with demands from work, family, and social obligations. It can be challenging to balance all your responsibilities, and it can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. It’s all too easy to get lost in the shuffle and feel bogged down by everything you have to do.

But you’re in no way alone. In fact, a UK-wide stress survey found that almost 8 in 10 people have felt stressed, overwhelmed, or unable to cope in the previous year. More and more people are feeling the pressures of modern life, and the knock-on effect is that productivity levels suffer.

Productivity is essential in both your personal and professional life. It helps you get things done, meet deadlines, and achieve your goals. But when you’re feeling stressed and inundated, it can be hard to muster up the energy and enthusiasm you need to be productive.

Fortunately, there are ways to combat stress, calm your mind, and increase your work output. One effective solution is using CBD for productivity.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a natural compound found in the hemp variety of the cannabis plant. It’s been shown to offer an impressive range of health benefits, and it’s growing in popularity as a natural remedy that supports wellbeing.

The cannabis plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. You may have heard of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), another cannabis compound. THC produces the cerebral ‘high’ associated with cannabis use, which generally isn’t the desired effect when trying to get to grips with a major project. In contrast, CBD is non-intoxicating and won’t produce any inebriation.

This disparity is because THC and CBD work differently within the endocannabinoid system (ECS) despite being chemically similar with only small variations in their molecular makeup.

The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex signaling system that helps to regulate various critical functions, including emotions, mood, sleep, pain, and inflammation. It consists of endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the body), receptors they bind to, and enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids once they’ve performed their function.

THC binds directly with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which explains its intoxicating effects, while CBD has a more indirect impact on the ECS.

CBD interacts with receptors throughout the body, and this is how it produces its many therapeutic benefits. Scientists think it works by helping prolong the benefits of endocannabinoids as they bind with receptors throughout the body while also engaging with neurotransmitters in the brain.

Research suggests that by interacting with the ECS, CBD can help reduce stress levels, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality. All of which are important for increasing productivity.

How Does Stress Impact Productivity?

Everyone experiences stress at some point. It’s a physical and mental pressure often triggered by life events like a change in responsibilities, loss of a loved one, or illness.

Stress can have a significant negative impact on your physical and mental health. It can make you feel anxious, irritable, and unable to sleep, and as a result, productivity levels plummet.

If you’re stressed, you may notice the following:

• Lack of energy: After the initial adrenaline boost, stress rapidly drains your emotional and physical energy, so you can no longer operate at full capacity.
• Difficulty concentrating: Stress can make it hard to engage fully in what you’re doing, whether working on a project or having a conversation. When your mind wanders, you’re more likely to make mistakes and need to re-do tasks.
• Lack of focus: Being productive requires focus, but when you’re stressed, it’s challenging to focus on anything other than the source of your stress. This makes it difficult to get started on tasks or to see them through to completion.
• Procrastination: You may put off tasks or activities you don’t enjoy or feel confident about. This can lead to a build-up of pressure, which only worsens the situation.
• Memory problems: Stress can cause short-term memory problems and make it hard to recall information. If you can’t remember what you need to do, it’s impossible to be productive.
• Moodiness: You may feel more impatient, easily irritated, or even depressed when you’re stressed.

Stress can affect relationships with work colleagues, friends, and family, as well as your health and wellbeing. So it’s no wonder that stress and overwhelm are silent productivity killers.

However, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that CBD may be effective in managing stress and anxiety.

How do sleeping problems impact productivity?

Poor sleep is one of the most common side-effects of stress. When you’re stressed, it’s harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, and you may find yourself lying awake at night, worrying about everything you must do.

Not getting enough sleep has a major impact on your productivity. It makes it difficult to focus, pay attention, and make decisions. As a result, you’re more likely to make mistakes, and you’ll struggle to find the energy to complete tasks.

There’s mounting evidence that a good night’s sleep is necessary for productivity. For example, one study of 4,188 workers in the United States found that insomnia and insufficient sleep contributed to lower productivity, performance, and safety outcomes.

Another 2018 study of 1,000 participants tracked productivity and sleep quantity and quality. The authors concluded that sleep duration, insomnia, sleepiness, and snoring negatively impacted productivity. They recommended that sleep was considered an important element in workplace health.

Sleep is a critical time that allows the body to reset and recharge. As you sleep, cortisol drops, and a dizzying array of chemicals and enzymes begin to repair and regenerate neurotransmitters in the brain. So, a lack of quality sleep impacts cognitive function.

This brain fog and fatigue often stand between you and a productive day.

The 3 effects of CBD on productivity

1. CBD reduces stress

Your body reacts to stress by releasing cortisol and other hormones, which prepare you for ‘fight or flight.’ This response is vital if you’re in danger. But when it’s constantly activated due to chronic stress, and you’re flooded with cortisol, it takes a toll on your health.

High cortisol levels can cause chronic anxiety, high blood pressure, headaches, and weight gain.

CBD appears to work by reducing cortisol in people dealing with chronic stress and improves your ability to be calm, centred, and relaxed.

CBD may also lower stress by changing how serotonin receptors interact with serotonin — the neurotransmitter and natural feel good chemical. It may also increase levels of anandamide — the neurotransmitter referred to as the ‘bliss molecule’ because it’s associated with feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

There’s robust science to support CBD’s anti-stress effects. There have been multiple placebo-controlled clinical trials of using CBD to manage stress, all showing that it was effective. Not only does it significantly reduce the stress response, but it also eases the associated anxiety, fear, depression, and burnout.

Furthermore, in two clinical trials comparing CBD to medications, both showed that CBD’s effect wasn’t inferior to that of the pharmaceutical comparators.

There’s also extensive real-world evidence of the effectiveness of CBD for treating stress.

In the UK, over 10% of adults have tried CBD, and up to 65% of people use it for stress. But, impressively, over 90% reported feeling less stressed with CBD use.

Many people trying CBD find that it promotes relaxation, relieves stress, and helps them to feel more focused and calm.

2. CBD may improve sleep

If you’re struggling to sleep, CBD may help. CBD has been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. It may also reduce daytime sleepiness so you can be more productive during the day.

A 2019 study with 72 participants determined that CBD may decrease anxiety and improve sleep. Additionally, CBD was well tolerated, and there were few side effects.

In a later 2020 review, researchers noted that endocannabinoids affected the sleep-wake cycle, suggesting that CBD could support those experiencing insomnia and other sleep issues.

Furthermore, a 2016 case study found that CBD improved sleep in a child with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The child’s sleep patterns normalised, and her anxiety decreased after using CBD.

Millions of people use some form of sleep aid to get their desperately needed sleep. However, many of these products come with a long list of side effects like morning grogginess, dependence, and long-term side effects.

But CBD offers a natural alternative that may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Enjoying restful and restorative sleep allows you to be more productive during the day.

3. CBD may also boost cognitive performance

A growing area of research is exploring how CBD may help to improve cognitive function. It seems that consuming CBD may have certain neurological benefits.

A 2014 animal study assessed the effects of CBD on a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The results suggested that CBD may help with social recognition. People with Alzheimer’s disease often lose the ability to recognise people’s faces because of memory problems and specific deficits in high-level visual processing. CBD seemed to help the mice in the study with this issue, paving the way for further human research.

What’s more, CBD may help boost memory, according to a recent 2020 study. Researchers recruited 15 healthy volunteers and administered either 600 mg of oral CBD or a placebo. Three hours later, the participants had brain scans while performing a memory test.

In the CBD group, there was an increase in cerebral blood flow to the hippocampus, the area of the brain involved in memory processing. Therefore, the researchers concluded that CBD could potentially help manage symptoms of diseases associated with memory processing problems.

Although these studies are preliminary, they suggest that CBD may benefit cognitive function. And when your brain is functioning optimally, you can be more productive.

How can I use CBD for productivity?

Consistency is key when you’re building new habits into your daily routine. Try to take your CBD at the same time each day, whether first thing in the morning or before you start work.

Although CBD brings about its beneficial effects within around an hour, you’ll feel optimal effects on your sleep and daily activities when you use it regularly for several weeks.

If you’re new to CBD, start with a low dose once or twice a day. Then, you can increase your dose gradually until you find the amount that works best for you.

Yet another great thing about CBD is that there are multiple forms and products. So there’s sure to be one that suits your lifestyle. At Purity Hemp, we have an impressive range of the best CBD products sourced from organic and sustainably grown hemp.

Our products include:

• CBD oil: CBD oil is a popular option because it’s easy to use and versatile. You take it by placing a few drops under your tongue or by adding it to food or drinks. It’s available in different strengths, so it’s easy to find the perfect one.
• CBD jelly domes: Delicious fruit-flavored jelly domes with the perfect dose of CBD. They’re fun, convenient, and easy to take with you on the go.
• CBD coffee and tea: Imagine the productivity-boosting start to your day with a cup of CBD-infused coffee or tea! It’s a great way to get your daily dose while enjoying your favourite beverage.
• CBD topicals: Choose from broad spectrum CBD infused gels and wraps and self-heating and cooling massage roll-ons for easy application. Topicals act directly on the area you apply them to, making them perfect for localised relief.

At Purity Hemp, you’re assured of the best quality CBD products. We value transparency and traceability of all our products from seed to shelf, so you know that you’re investing in pure, safe, and effective CBD. And we have certificates from extensive third-party testing to prove it.

If you’re looking for a natural way to take your productivity to the next level, why not try CBD. You can look forward to better sleep, less stress, and cognitive boosting effects.

Shop our range of CBD products today and start enjoying the benefits of CBD for productivity.