Being productive is crucial for both your personal and professional life. It assists in completing tasks, meeting important deadlines, and attaining desired objectives. However, finding the motivation and energy necessary to be productive when feeling overwhelmed and stressed can be challenging. You might experience a never-ending stream of requests from work, family, and social commitments, and juggling all these tasks can be difficult and may make you feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. 

If you are struggling to stay productive at the moment, understand that it is perfectly fine. Times can be tough, and it is quite natural to become overwhelmed and weighed down by all of your responsibilities and tasks. When your body is experiencing increased stress or overstimulation, it is normal for your brain to struggle with focusing and maintaining productivity. 

However, if daily distractions or lack of motivation are affecting your quality of life, causing more stress or thwarting you from playing a proactive role, it becomes imperative to make changes. More and more individuals are seeking out cannabidiol (CBD) in the hope that it will improve their ability to concentrate and focus. And they’re right – CBD has indeed been proven to improve sleep quality and decrease stress levels. 

So, if you’re seeking out a natural remedy to boost your productivity levels, today’s article discusses how cannabidiol can reduce stress and anxiety, enhance motivation and productivity, and what makes it an effective and safe option. 

How Does Stress Reduce Productivity?

Everyone goes through a stressful period or experiences anxiety in their lives. It is a combination of physical and mental stress usually brought on by occurrences such as a shift in responsibilities, a traumatic event like the passing of a family member or loved one, or a prolonged sickness.

Whatever the cause, stress can greatly affect both your physical and mental well-being. Stress usually accompanies feelings of anxiousness, irritability, and sleeplessness, all of which can significantly decrease productivity levels. Moreover, stress can impact connections with coworkers, friends, and family, along with your overall health and quality of life. 

If you are feeling stressed, you might experience the following symptoms:

Low Energy Levels

Following the initial rush of adrenaline, stress quickly depletes both your mental and physical energy, preventing you from functioning at optimal levels and feeling ‘low’ or ‘pulled down’. This can make you feel impatient, easily annoyed, or even depressed.

Trouble Concentrating 

Stress can interfere with your ability to fully concentrate on tasks, whether it’s working on a project or engaging in a conversation. If your mind strays, you are more prone to making errors and may have to repeat tasks.

Difficulty Focusing

Productivity hinges on focus, yet it sometimes becomes difficult to concentrate on anything other than what’s causing stress. This makes it hard to begin tasks or to finish them on time.

Sleep Disturbances

Sleep disturbances are frequently experienced as a result of stress. When feeling stressed, it becomes more challenging to both initiate and maintain sleep, leading to extended periods of wakefulness at night. This lack of sufficient sleep significantly affects your level of productivity. It hinders one’s ability to concentrate, remain attentive, and make choices. 

Consequently, you’re more prone to errors and will have difficulty mustering the energy to finish tasks. This cognitive cloudiness and tiredness frequently hinder your ability to have a successful day.

Procrastination

You might delay tasks or activities that you find unenjoyable or feel unsure about. This could result in an accumulation of pressure, further exacerbating your situation.

Memory Issues

Stress can lead to difficulties with short-term memory and hinder the ability to remember recent information. This can lead to unproductiveness and adversely affect major aspects of your life, such as work performance.

CBD for Improving Productivity

CBD is commonly associated with relaxation and reduced anxiety, so it makes perfect sense to use it as a natural remedy for enhancing productivity. Using CBD for productivity can have numerous amazing advantages and understanding how it can assist you is the secret to unlocking your peak productivity.

What is CBD?

For those of you who aren’t quite familiar with the compound, here’s a quick introduction. 

CBD (cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid derived from the leaves and flowers of cannabis and hemp plants. CBD can affect both our physical and mental health by interacting with the body’s inherent endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The endocannabinoid system is a complex communication network that utilises chemical signals to initiate physiological reactions that regulate and maintain our internal balance. The endocannabinoid system utilises naturally occurring endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) to enhance the nervous system’s function in managing sleep, mood, pain signals, appetite, and other vital functions.

You might be familiar with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is another compound found in the cannabis plant. THC causes the ‘euphoria’ associated with marijuana consumption since it binds directly with CB receptors in the brain, leading to psychoactive effects that make it difficult to focus. On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive and causes no intoxication.

5 Ways CBD Can Boost Productivity

Here’s how CBD can potentially help you increase your productivity and energy levels:

1. Reduces Stress

Seven separate clinical trials testing the effects of CBD on stress, involving 232 participants in total, were conducted under double-blind placebo conditions. Additionally, one partially controlled study was conducted with 120 participants. All demonstrated CBD’s effectiveness in significantly decreasing the stress response and it was just as effective as pharmaceutical comparators.

In times of stress, our body produces cortisol, also known as the fight-or-flight hormone. This hormone essentially prioritises immediate danger over all other biological functions as the body shifts its focus. However, despite its role in aiding quick reactions to immediate threats, the continual release of cortisol from chronic stress can have negative effects on cognitive health by impairing memory function and attention span.

Research shows that CBD can extend the calming benefits of the brain’s natural anandamide endocannabinoid, leading to a reduction in cortisol production. CBD can assist in decreasing feelings of tension throughout the body by reducing cortisol production within the brain, redirecting focus to neglected areas during times of stress.

CBD can also reduce stress by influencing how serotonin receptors interact with serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter in charge of creating feelings of pleasure. It was found to stimulate antidepressant-like effects, improving mood and reducing stress and hence boosting productivity. 

2. Improves Sleep

Lack of sleep can lead to reduced productivity levels. Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for staying focused and improving concentration, as well as maintaining good health and well-being. When we rest, cortisol levels decrease and enzymes start regenerating neurotransmitters in the brain. 

Using CBD before going to bed can assist in calming the mind and body, resulting in enhanced quality of sleep. CBD can aid in calming intrusive thoughts before bed, leading to quicker and uninterrupted sleep, resulting in feeling refreshed and prepared for the day ahead. 

A study conducted in 2019 with 72 participants found that CBD could reduce anxiety and enhance sleep quality. Furthermore, CBD was well received with minimal side effects. In a 2020 study, scientists found that endocannabinoids play a role in the sleep-wake cycle, indicating that CBD may help individuals with insomnia and other sleep problems. 

Moreover, a study from 2016 discovered that CBD helped enhance the sleep of a child diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The child saw improvements in her anxiety levels and sleep patterns after incorporating CBD into her routine. 

Establishing a regular schedule can boost efficiency. By establishing a routine of consuming CBD nightly and participating in a relaxing activity like reading and breathing exercises, you can develop a regular daily habit. You can enhance your productivity even more by selecting a positive activity for your morning to kickstart your day, like stretching, meditation, or journaling.

3. Alleviates Pain and Discomfort

A common reason often associated with a lack of proper sleep is chronic pain. Regardless of what type of job you have or physical activity you indulge in daily, prolonged hours can result in physical discomfort. Even engaging in enjoyable activities can result in physical strain in certain cases.

Experiencing chronic pain or discomfort can affect your productivity and motivation, physically and mentally. The feeling of pain can be disruptive and hinder concentration on tasks. Additionally, traditional pain relievers can lead to drowsiness and a decrease in alertness.

Studies show that the natural calming and anti-inflammatory qualities of CBD can provide relief for overall bodily discomfort by interacting with endocannabinoids and CB receptors where the problem originates. Hence, reduced pain and inflammation help alleviate discomfort, improve sleep, and provide the desired results for improvements in productivity.

4. Improves Mood

CBD boosts mood by regulating dopamine levels through its interaction with the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates many bodily functions, including mood, motivation, and memory. 

As previously stated, CBD also positively affects the serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to potential improvements in an individual’s mood. A positive and uplifted mood results in better performance and productivity.

5. Enhances Cognitive and Memory Function

Cannabidiol has been found to possess neuroprotective and antioxidant qualities, which assist in maintaining brain function and memory retention. In a study from 2016, it was demonstrated that CBD could assist in reducing or possibly reversing cognitive decline and memory loss in dementia patients by activating brain receptors. 

In a study conducted in 2020, 15 healthy volunteers were selected by researchers and given either 600 mg of oral CBD or a placebo. After three hours, the participants underwent brain scans during a memory test. In the CBD group, there was a rise in blood flow to the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory processing in the brain. The researchers determined that CBD might have the potential to aid in the treatment of symptoms related to memory processing issues in certain diseases. 

While still in the early stages, these studies indicate the potential for CBD to improve cognitive function – and when your brain is working at its best, you experience an increase in productivity. 

Benefits of Choosing CBD for Productivity & Focus

Now that you know the science-backed evidence, here’s what makes CBD a good choice for improving productivity and alleviating stress:

It is not Psychoactive

You don’t need to be concerned about CBD causing a ‘high’ as you experience its health and performance advantages. As we’ve mentioned, CBD and THC are distinct cannabinoids; while THC is psychoactive and induces a high sensation, CBD is not. So, you will maintain a sense of control while improving your health and increasing productivity.

It Does not Cause Jitters

Caffeine is very effective for boosting focus and increasing productivity. Nevertheless, there is a downside. If you have an excessive amount, you may experience unpleasant ‘jitters’. Moreover, caffeine can adversely affect your sleep. With CBD, there is no such feeling of unease, and instead of disturbing your sleep schedule, CBD can lead to a notable improvement. 

It is Available in Many Forms

Various types of CBD products are available to cater to different lifestyles, including discreet gummies and capsules, as well as premium-strength oils and vapes. Moreover, you are not restricted to only one kind of product either. For example, you could take sublingual CBD oil in the morning and have a CBD gummy later in the day to supplement your intake. 

CBD Products for Boosting Productivity 

Some CBD products used to boost productivity and reduce stress include:  

CBD Oil: This is the most common choice due to its ease of use and versatility. You can consume it either by placing a few drops under your tongue or mixing it into food or drinks. It comes in various potencies, making it simple to discover the ideal option. 

CBD Gummies: Tasty gummies flavoured with fruit and containing just the right amount of CBD offer a discreet and enjoyable way to boost productivity. They are also easy to carry while on the move. 

CBD Topicals: There are a variety of broad-spectrum CBD gels, wraps, and massage roll-ons available for reducing stress and enhancing energy levels. Topical treatments work specifically on the part of the body where they are applied, making them ideal for targeted relief. So, they’re ideal for relieving chronic pain that might be interfering with your daily routine. 

How Often Can You Use CBD For Productivity?

Consistency plays a crucial role in integrating CBD into your daily schedule. Attempt to consume your CBD dosage at a fixed time daily, whether it be right after waking up or before beginning your work day. While different CBD products provide benefits at varying times lasting for varying periods, consistent use over multiple weeks is key to experiencing its full effects. 

If you are just starting to use CBD, begin by taking a small dose once or twice daily, about 5mg. Afterwards, you can slowly raise your dosage until you discover the ideal amount for your needs. It’s best to consult a CBD expert or health practitioner about the exact dosage and time when you should take CBD.

Potential Side Effects of Using CBD for Productivity

While CBD is generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience mild side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, or changes in appetite. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

To minimise the risk of adverse effects from CBD, avoid consuming it in excessive amounts. Always start with a low dosage and gradually increase it until you find a dosage that provides the desired results.

Final Thoughts

CBD provides a natural method to boost concentration and productivity by lowering stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and promoting general brain health. By including reputable CBD products in your daily schedule and following the advice we’ve given, you can experience the cognitive advantages of CBD and attain improved mental clarity and enhanced productivity.