Should We Take CBD Before Going to Work to Increase Our Concentration?  

Concentration is essential in productivity. Distractions, muscle pains, stress, and anxiety are some factors that hinder sleep. CBD is beneficial and can help combat this on top of helping improve focus.

People are finding it more difficult to remain focused in this time and age. It is usual to find yourself struggling to concentrate on your work, studies, and other important tasks. There are so many things that hinder focus, and these factors may be external or internal. There are several ways to improve your concentration at work, and CBD is one remedy. CBD has been widely available for a while and is making strides after its legalization. This is attributed to the health and wellness benefits linked to it. One of the potential benefits of CBD is helping to improve focus. Therefore, should one take CBD before work to increase concentration? This article explains further. 

Why Can't You Focus on Your Work?

Concentrating for a few hours, whether at work or while performing a task, can sometimes be quite demanding. The lack of focus is the main reason you cannot finish a task or perform at your workplace. It may seem normal, but consistently being absent-minded can seriously derail you. You must understand that a lack of focus is not all about a lack of motivation, as other factors can cause it.

As mentioned earlier, a lack of focus can be external internally orientated. Concentration is all in mind, and any sign of distress in your mind can reduce your concentration. Stress, anxiety, poor sleep quality, increased blood pressure, distractions, and poor dieting may adversely affect your level of focus and concentration.

Distractions 

This is one of the main reasons why people find it hard to focus. Distractions are external factors such as loud background music, traffic noise, and ongoing construction activities around your work area, which can make it strenuous to work. However, these are just detailed distractions; another major distraction is the smartphone; since you spend so much time on your phone. It is often believed that staying in a serene environment, and getting rid of all these distractions, is the key to improving focus. This has proven to work efficiently, apart from unique cases where you have underlying issues that need attention first. Learn more about why is cbd expensive?

Lack of Sleep

Many people still don't understand the importance of sleep; during sleep, the body restores itself and energizes for the next day. Poor sleep quality and irregular sleeping patterns may undermine your concentration at work. Inadequate sleep may also adversely affect your focus and memory. Additionally, lack of sleep interferes with your cognitive functioning, making it harder to think clearly. Also, poor sleeping habits bring about imbalance in the body and mind.

Stress and Anxiety 

Concentration is all in mind, and psychological conditions are major hindrances to your focus. In life, you are always faced with pressure from various ends, especially the pressure to perform. Therefore, you will likely lose focus at work even if you sleep and have a good diet but still remain stressed. Anxiety is another hindrance that makes it difficult to make it through the day. Feelings of nervousness, panic, and rapid heartbeat are symptoms of anxiety.

How Cannabinoids Affect Concentration 

There is only limited information on CBD; with this, people often have their share of misconceptions about it. Cannabidiol is a natural hemp plant extract that was recently legalized after it was found to have several medicinal values. The fact that CBD is closely associated with cannabis may concern many. However, CBD does not contain any psychoactive effects. THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the cannabinoid responsible for causing a "high" in marijuana users. Additionally, CBD influences the brain differently compared to THC.

How CBD Improves Focus

CBD has various effects on the body, and its therapeutic properties can help combat underlying conditions that hinder concentration. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system when consumed, a complex system of neurotransmitters and receptors found within and around the body. The ECS, commonly referred to, is important in maintaining homeostasis or balance, which helps properly function the body and mind.

The endocannabinoid system is made up of endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptors (cannabinoid 1 (CB1) & cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors), and enzymes. Atalay et al. (2020) suggested that CBD binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors to boost the endocannabinoid system.   

The Benefits of CBD for Focus 

According to Nelabhotla et al. (2021), inadequate sleep interferes with focus and memory. If one suffers from insomnia or sleeping disorders, one can benefit from CBD. Spinella et al. (2021) noted that CBD's anxiolytic properties help reduce anxiety and combat stress. Furthermore, CBD has relaxing properties that help improve sleep, further improving your focus.

Concentration can also be a result of mood issues. A negative mood impacts motivation which in turn interferes with concentration. Von Wrede et al. (2021) noted that CBD might come in handy in improving mood; CBD boosts the endocannabinoid system, which is essential in regulating mood. Furthermore, it can improve health and wellness. Various health conditions may also interfere with concentration. According to Watt et al. (2017), CBD alleviates muscle and skin inflammation thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

How To Consume CBD To Improve Focus

There are many ways of taking CBD; they include:

Foods and drinks – CBD can be added to foods and drinks, especially for those who don't like CBD oil's earthy, natural taste. Additionally, it takes longer for CBD to be absorbed into the bloodstream. It can also be used in baking or cooking as CBD edibles.  

Vaping involves using a special composition of CBD oil known as vape juice, which is heated up by an electric device known as a vape pen into a vapor that can be inhaled into the lungs.

Sublingual intake – This involves the use of tinctures or CBD drops that are placed under the tongue and then let to absorb. This is the fastest and most efficient way of CBD intake as CBD is directly absorbed into the bloodstream and avoids digestion.

Topicals – Topical application involves applying creams and balms on your skin to alleviate pain and inflammation in the target areas.

CBD capsules – These are pill-like substances with a precise amount of CBD oil. They have a gelatin outer casing and are consumed orally.

Conclusion   

CBD is a good option to help improve concentration, whether directly (if you want to focus more) or indirectly (alleviating stress and anxiety). However, most of the factors of poor concentration are linked to lifestyle choices; that is why you need to assess what is leading to the poor concentration before working to combat it.

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce muscle pains and inflammation. Additionally, it has anti-depressive properties that reduce high stress and anxiety levels.

CBD can be consumed in the form of gummies, tinctures, vapes, and capsules. You must consult a doctor before using CBD to treat a medical condition. 

References          

Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2020). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21.

Nelabhotla, S., & Shanmugam, S. (2021). Effects of Acute Sleep Deprivation on Working Memory Capacity in Undergraduate Students. The Journal of Science and Medicine, 1-11.  

Spinella, T. C., Stewart, S. H., Naugler, J., Yakovenko, I., & Barrett, S. P. (2021). We are evaluating cannabidiol (CBD) expectancy effects on acute stress and anxiety in healthy adults: a randomized crossover study. Psychopharmacology, 238(7), 1965-1977.    

von Wrede, R., Helmstaedter, C., & Surges, R. (2021). Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy. Clinical Drug Investigation, 41(3), 211-220.

Watt, G., & Karl, T. (2017). In vivo evidence for therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 20.