Is CBD a Depressant or Stimulant?
While it’s commonly known for its sedating effect, CBD can have a stimulating effect when administered at the right dose and with the right combination of ingredients. Read on to discover how CBD can meet both your sleep and energy needs.
CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, is an increasingly popular solution to many common health issues, including anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. It is an active component of the Cannabis sativa plant, but it does not produce the ‘high’ associated with its close relative, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD is now legal at the federal level if it is derived from hemp, a version of the cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC.
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Supplement makers have taken notice, and numerous CBD formulations have entered the market, promising both relaxing and stimulating effects. But is CBD a depressant or stimulant? We’ll answer this question, and then recommend the best CBD products on the market for your sleep and energy needs.
Is CBD a Depressant or Stimulant? is an original (CBDupdateNews) article.
Is CBD a depressant or stimulant:
The answer to your question
Depressants are substances that slow down neurotransmission in the brain, reducing stimulation, arousal, and excitement. Common depressants include alcohol and many sleep medications. In contrast, stimulants increase activity in the central nervous system (CNS), boosting alertness and energy. Caffeine is a very common stimulant.
CBD produces its effects by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of neurotransmitters and cannabinoid receptors thought to be involved in a range of bodily processes, from energy metabolism to learning and memory. CBD is considered to be neither a depressant nor a stimulant; instead, it is thought to have a biphasic effect, meaning that it has different effects depending on the dosage administered. While low doses of CBD have a stimulating effect, higher doses have a sedating effect.
Is CBD a depressant or stimulant:
How CBD can sedate
A reported 68% of people struggle with sleep issues. Poor sleep can lead to problems with concentration, and it can also increase the risk of chronic health conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Similarly, chronic stress is an increasingly common issue, with one in five people reporting regular symptoms of extreme stress, like shaking, heart palpitations, and depression. Some experts estimate that chronic stress is the cause of up to 60% of illnesses.
Higher doses of CBD have been shown to support sleep, help manage stress, and reduce inflammation through an interaction with the body’s ECS. CBD can promote relaxation and quality sleep through its capacity to regulate the sleep cycle, reduce anxiety and pain, and support natural recovery processes in the body.
Some sleep and relaxation-promoting CBD formulations contain CBN (Cannabinol), a natural and non-intoxicating metabolite of THC known to induce drowsiness. CBN works by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain, but it does so with one-tenth the strength of THC. Thought to be more potent than other cannabinoids, CBN is administered in smaller doses, with about 5 mg of CBN producing similar effects to 20-50 mg of CBD.
Is CBD a depressant or stimulant:
How CBD can stimulate
Studies have shown that as much as 38% of workers feel fatigued. Fatigue can be caused by underlying medical conditions, poor sleep, chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies, or caffeine intake. In lower doses, CBD may have the capacity to energize and produce a feeling of alertness, partly due to its activating effect on neurons in the hypothalamus. CBD can also promote energy and wakefulness more indirectly through its capacity to relieve fatigue-inducing conditions like pain, stress, and insomnia. It achieves these effects through its support of the ECS, which works to promote homeostasis, or a sense of balance in the body. CBD can also help restore balance by boosting serotonin levels in the brain, enhancing mood and concentration.
Some stimulating CBD products are enhanced with Cannabigerol (CBG), a lesser-known, non-psychoactive cannabinoid thought to have anxiolytic, antidepressant, and neuroprotective effects. CBG is referred to as ‘the mother of all cannabinoids,’ as other cannabinoids are derived from cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), an acidic form of CBG. Typically derived from young cannabis plants, CBG is more expensive than many other cannabinoids; however, it is rapidly gaining an appreciation for its many positive health effects. It is thought to work partly by boosting anandamide, a neurotransmitter that may regulate appetite and sleep as it promotes motivation and pleasure.
Is CBD a depressant or stimulant:
How terpenes can help
Terpenes are compounds found in the cannabis plant that give it flavor and aroma while enhancing the effects of cannabinoids like CBD. While CBD isolate products do not contain terpenes, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD products do contain terpenes, as well as other cannabinoids like CBN and CBG. Full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC, thought to significantly enhance the ‘entourage effect,’ whereby multiple elements of the formulation combine synergistically to produce more potent health benefits.
There are various terpenes that produce beneficial effects when ingested as part of a CBD formulation. Humulene has anti-inflammatory properties, a sedating effect, and may suppress appetite and promote weight loss. Myrcene is known to produce a sedative effect as it reduces pain. Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) is thought to have potent pain-relieving properties, as well as positive effects on diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and the immune system. Used for centuries as a sleep aid, Linalool boosts brain levels of adenosine, a central nervous system depressant.
Is CBD a depressant or stimulant:
Choosing the right CBD products for your needs
If you are an experienced CBD user, or you are just considering it as a remedy for your sleep or energy needs, it’s critical that you choose a brand that implements strict, third-party testing for all its products. A recent study showed that 60% of CBD sleep products had quantities of active ingredients that differed significantly from those listed on their labels. In a largely unregulated industry, it’s essential to choose top-quality CBD brands that rise to the challenge of ensuring pure products with accurate labels.
Partnered Process is a standout producer of high-quality CBD products that promises product purity and full transparency. With an emphasis on third-party testing, each Partnered Process product comes with a QR code providing its lab results as well as information about the Wisconsin farm where its hemp was sourced. Partnered Process offers a full-spectrum Coconut Sleep tincture with 66 mg CBD, 10 mg CBN, and 2 mg melatonin per one ml serving. This brand also offers a full-spectrum Cherry Limeade Energy tincture with 50 mg CBD and 16 mg CBG per one ml serving.
The Partnered Process website also provides information regarding the dominant terpenes in each of these formulations. The benefit of tincture CBD products is that you can always adjust your dose according to your individual responsiveness and experience with the product.
Wherever you are on your CBD journey, you may find support for relaxation, quality rest, and your energy needs. As more research emerges to support the many health benefits of cannabinoids like CBD and the terpenes that come as part of broad- and full-spectrum CBD products, supplement makers are responding with tailored CBD offerings. With the right CBD brand, you might find yourself sleeping better at night and more energetic during the day.
Further Reading:
Forbes: CBD For Sleep: Benefits, Risks And More
The New York Times: Does CBD Help With Insomnia?
The Guardian: CBD: a marijuana miracle or just another health fad?
Important Note: The information contained in this article (Is CBD a Depressant or Stimulant?) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
