CBD For Focus
Focus is a skill which allows one to begin and complete a task without distractions and procrastination. Focus is something people wish to harness to complete work tasks, manage daily home life, and plan for the future. In other words, focus is essential, which has led some to look into CBD for focus.
CBD Refresher
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid in hemp and marijuana plants. CBD does not produce a high and after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill is legal on the federal level. Cannabidiol interacts with the body’s Endocannabinoid system which uses endocannabinoids to send messages through a network of its receptors in the body.
CBD cannabinoids are extremely similar to ECS’s endocannabinoids, so supplying them through CBD administration can help increase ECS’s function. A well maintained ECS supports homeostasis and balance throughout the body and keeps things like inflammation and the immune system functioning at a proper level.
CBD Research
CBD research is still in its infancy and there is much more that needs to be discovered. There have been, however, many CBD studies made that have made exciting discoveries.
How CBD influences the brain is still being examined, but the evidence seems to suggest that CBD can have positive interactions with the serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical with many important functions. One of its key responsibilities is the maintenance of happiness and well being. Proper serotonin levels are essential to maintaining overall balance and focus.
A 2014 study focused on rats found that while participating in a forced swimming test, depressed rats stayed in the water without moving or attempting to find a way out. Rats treated with 30mg of CBD exhibited much more determined behavior and were more proactive at searching for an exit. Additionally, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a biomarker used to detect depression, appeared to be lower in rats with depression. Administering of antidepressants increased BDNF markers in both rats and humans, as did administering of CBD. It would stand to reason that the administration of CBD could have a beneficial and productive mood lifting effect.1 Diminished feelings of depression can certainly allow and promote motivation and focus.
One study notes that CBD administration could regulate neurogenesis or the production of new neurons in the brain.2 This finding suggests that CBD could positively affect neuron generation and is thus beneficial for focus, motivation, and concentration. Most interestingly, CBD has been found to promote neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain associated with learnings. Thus, CBD’s influences on focus seem to be promising.3
Suggested CBD Administration
CBD comes in many forms and there is a great variety of products out in the marketplace. When choosing the right product it is helpful to weigh different options and determine which selection best suits your needs. There are various vapes, gummies, tinctures, lotions, and salves. CBD products applied directly to the skin, like lotions and balms, are great for pain relief and may not be best suited for mental wellness goals. For help with focus, one might look to products that have a quick delivery of CBD to the brain. For this purpose oral products like tinctures, sprays, oils, capsules, and vapes are preferable.
CBD vapes have the quickest travel time to the brain, providing the quickest results. However many people prefer to avoid smoke inhalation and choose edibles and ingestibles like sprays, tinctures, and capsules. Proper labeling and responsible sourcing are important aspects of CBD production. National Botanicals prides itself on using only the highest-grade organic hemp-derived CBD, so you can be sure you are getting a top-quality product every time.
To learn more about CBD, visit our FAQ page.
References
1 CNS & Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets, 2014, Vol. 13, No. 6; “Antidepressant-Like and Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Cannabidiol: A Chemical Compound of Cannabis sativa”
2 National Center for Biotechnology Information; “The role of cannabinoids in adult neurogenesis”
3 National Center for Biotechnology Information; “Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects”
