Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 1st June 2020

We all need a bit of a pick-me-up every so often. We reach for the strong coffee or, heaven forbid, one of a large variety of chemical heavy energy drinks. After a few sips, the energy boost kicks in: heart rates begin to beat a faster rhythm, and focus and motivation sharpen noticeably. It gets us through the day and keeps us productive. However, this is quite an untenable way to boost your energy. Most energy drinks rely on stimulants like caffeine or taurine. If nothing else, our bodies adapt to these over time, so we then need to take mega-doses just to remain at equilibrium, and adding to our energy levels takes even more on top of this. In addition, it’s unhealthy to put your heart through such a large amount of stimulant use. Dehydration occurs as a result of the diuretic nature of many stimulants, and we ultimately burn ourselves out.

So, what should you use instead of energy drinks? Well, luckily there are safer, more effective ways to boost your energy. These include cannabidiol (CBD oil). CBD oil is growing in popularity and good quality sources can be found both on the high street and online. The most popular products being CBD oils, capsules, cream and even CBD gummies such as the UK’s recently launched ZenBears. But do they really work?

CBD oil: what it does, and how it does it  

Past data and current research are solidly building a case for CBD oil and its therapeutic benefits, including its ability to deliver good quality, long-lasting energy. CBD oil is the non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. This means that the health benefits of taking it will not be accompanied by any nasty side effects such as being ‘stoned’, suffering psychosis and paranoia, changes in mood and perception etc. To emphasise, CBD oil contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC- the psychoactive element of cannabis), so it does not have any psychoactive properties. Many people are beginning to take CBD oil seriously. Even top athletes are beginning to incorporate it into the supplement regimes, alongside stalwarts like creatine and omega 3. Part of the reason for this is the guilt-free energy kick CBD oil delivers. Energy drinks and coffee inject caffeine into your system, among other stimulants. This alters nerves and receptors, giving you something of a false feeling of energy e.g. the ‘buzz’ we’ve all experienced. CBD oil, on the other hand, supports the cells that make you feel fatigued, via the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS allows CBD oil to elicit a range of processes. CBD oil interacts with endocannabinoid receptors by stimulating and supporting. Cannabidiol has such a positive range of effects that it can be considered a wake-promoting agent. Through this system, your body will be able to better regulate the affected bodily functions, including: appetite, sleep, mood and anxiety, metabolism and energy balance, production of hormones, immune and pain system response, stress, learning and memory.

In particular, CBD oil’s ability to improve the metabolism and energy balance, alongside its benefits to healthy sleep, reduction of stress and immune function, allow users to experience long-lasting energy without the spikes and falls so commonly associated with stimulants. Maintaining a healthy ECS system will keep all of these functions working in your favour, leaving you feeling healthier, less fatigued and far more mentally alert. Microinjections of CBD into the hypothalamus have been shown to activate neurons and elicit heightened levels of dopamine, a hormone intimately related to happiness, energy and alertness. Indeed, regular usage of CBD oil has been linked to improved dopamine levels. The antioxidant properties of CBD oil make up an additional benefit. Organic molecules (our constituent parts, essentially) become damaged and break down over time. They lose electrons and become free radicals, which have the ability to cause great harm (a heightening risk of cancer being chief among them). Antioxidants diminish the presence of free radicals, and are themselves a contributing factor to improved energy levels.

How to use CBD oil for maximised energy 

Of course, we will all react to CBD oil differently. For some of us, it may have no effect whatsoever, whilst others will find their lives being completely changed by it. Because of this, it’s a good idea to start out with lower doses, building over time. As you do this, take notes using a diary, keeping track of the following:  

1. The type of CBD supplement you take. 

2. The amount of CBD you use in a day (in milligrams). 

3. When you take your supplements. 

4. The changes in mood, outlook and energy levels when taking CBD oil. 

5. Any sensations you experience when taking the supplement. 

This way, you’ll be able to see reasonably objectively what CBD oil is doing for you, the best doses, and how you are perceiving your own energy levels. Generally, however, just relax and look forward to the benefits. CBD oil consumption should enable you to think more clearly, with greater focus and less lethargy, than ever before. You should find your energy levels heightened and stabilised, your mood improved, and your sleep patterns adjusted for you to make the most of your rest. You will have more energy, without having to rely on any stimulants.

In this blog post we take a look at what CBD does and how CBD oil can be used for maximised energy and improved metabolism.