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A GLIMPSE INTO THE STRESSES OF COLLEGE
The college experience isn’t easy. For many students, it’s become common practice to juggle full-time studies and a full-time job. And that’s no easy thing—many students are looking at a constant cycle of school and work—which can keep them busy for up to 16 hours a day. That doesn’t even include the social aspects of the college experience, like extracurriculars, dinner with friends, or even some downtime...
With students constantly on the move, the college experience can be extremely stressful. That might be partly why nearly one in six college students has been diagnosed with or treated for anxiety—with up to 60% of college students suffering from poor sleep quality (or a total lack thereof) and nearly 7.7% meeting the criteria for a bona fide insomnia disorder.²⁻³
ENTER CBD
While CBD isn’t something that can just magically wipe away all of the stresses of college life, evidence does suggest it may be helpful in a handful of situations that affect a student’s overall quality of life.
But first thing’s first—what is it?
CBD is a non-intoxicating naturally occurring chemical compound found in hemp. CBD won’t cause you or your favorite college student to get high, but it does contain a host of potential benefits that could support a wellness-driven lifestyle.
By interacting with our endocannabinoid system (or ECS), CBD may cause a range of effects on the body and mind.⁴ The ECS is a network of receptors that helps with regulating a few natural processes in the body—like the sleep-wake cycles, stress levels, appetite, inflammation, body temperature, and so on. The ECS is responsible for telling your body what to do to help keep you balanced and operating at your best.
Evidence has demonstrated that CBD may work closely with your ECS to help with regulating your body.⁵ It could help keep your ECS balanced when taken daily like a supplement—which may, in turn, help you or your loved one feel more level as they go about their day to day.
A FEW POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CBD FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
While further research is still needed to solidify any findings on CBD, studies suggest it may be a beneficial part of daily life for college students in a few different ways—some of which we’ve broken down below.
Mood
If you experience anxiety or stress over a part-time job, grades, test scores, or back-to-school jitters, CBD may be able to help. Evidence suggests CBD may play a role in assisting students in feeling more level-headed throughout the day.⁶ It could work with the ECS to help in reducing feelings of stress, and aid with keeping your mind in check as you go about your business.
Pain & Inflammation
If you or your loved one play an active sport in college, CBD may be beneficial before, during, and after intense physical activity. It might help with motivation before a workout, for one thing. But on the other hand, evidence suggests CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory agent—meaning that it may also be helpful against soreness after an intense workout.⁷
Sleep & Energy
While CBD doesn’t directly affect sleep, some studies suggest it may balance out your natural sleep-wake cycle, allowing you to get more regular sleep and wake up feeling energized and refreshed. It also potentially alleviates some of the common ailments that lead to insomnia or sleep-related conditions—like pain that keeps you up at night or anxious thoughts about future deadlines and grades.⁸
Focus
A sound body is a sound mind. CBD’s potentially balancing effect on our ECS could make it easier for students to focus on their studies and feel their best. Research has indicated that improved sleep, less stress, and reduced pain can all make it easier to focus on the things in front of you.⁹ That said, CBD won’t make you immediately able to focus on something more effectively, but it could help get you on the right track.
Hangovers
Part of the college vibe is the occasional hangover. While CBD doesn’t cure hangovers, due to its interactions with the ECS it may restore appetite after a night out as well as help to recover from the previous night’s festivities.¹⁰ Evidence suggests that CBD may help with some of the inflammation that leads to nausea and upset stomachs, helping students get back on their feet in time for the school and work week.¹¹
CAN CBD HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS?
CBD affects everyone differently, so there’s no concrete evidence for or against it. It is essential to remember that CBD isn’t meant to be used as a cure for any and everything. Sleep disorders, sports injuries, anxiety, and/or depression are all things that should be managed on a personal level with a doctor. While the evidence does suggest that CBD may help regulate the ECS—which may lead to more restful sleep, less daily pain, and reduced stress/anxiety—you should always consult a doctor before taking any supplements, including CBD.
HOW TO INTEGRATE CBD INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE AS A STUDENT
CBD is considered to be safe and may fit well into active, on-the-go lifestyles.¹² College students may incorporate CBD into their daily routine in a number of ways. For those long night study sessions, Sleep Capsules may help them unwind and get the rest they need. For the daily management of stress, a flavored tincture might work well in your morning coffee or evening tea.
When you have an early class, CBD Energy Gummies may help give you the morning boost you need—without the caffeine jitters or consequential crashes. Finally, taking THC-free CBD could help some of the pre-game anxiety or the post-game soreness related to college sports without the penalties.
At the end of the day, CBD may be a valuable option for college students. If you’re exploring CBD for yourself or for a loved one in college, you can count on Lazarus Naturals for reliable and safe CBD that works.
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SOURCES:
¹https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210219190939.htm
⁴https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569
⁵https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6390812/
⁶https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
⁷https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8107012/
⁸https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
⁹https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-improve-concentration#sleep
¹⁰https://cfah.org/does-cbd-increase-appetite/