by Catherine Conelly
Any coffee lovers in the house? If you start every day with at least one cup you’re like 64% of Americans. But admit it: Sometimes you’re still running low on energy in the afternoons.
When you work hard, play hard, parent hard, and celebrate hard, it comes at the expense of your energy levels. We’ve all been there — when it feels like no matter how much coffee you drink, you’re still struggling to get through the day.
So, what if there was another way to increase energy and motivation? There is, but those CBD gummies you bought for pain or sleep, for example, are probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you're feeling exhausted.
But CBD energy itself should be!
Cannabidiol (CBD) products are trending due to their ability to help treat a range of issues, such as anxiety and pain. However, as researchers discover more of the benefits of CBD and how the endocannabinoid system works, some believe that it may also offer a boost in energy and be useful as a safe, natural stimulant.
You’ve likely heard a lot about how CBD promotes relaxation and can help you sleep soundly but less about taking CBD for energy. However, CBD’s link to increased energy and better focus is a benefit that’s too good to ignore. Several studies have found that it may be the natural boost you’ve been looking for — here we’ll break them down for you.
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Ask your doctor before starting new medications or treatments.
CBD energy boosts your brain in natural ways
Unlike coffee, CBD doesn’t make you feel energized by pumping you full of caffeine (potentially with the jitters as side effects). Instead, a dose of CBD is thought to support the areas of your brain that are responsible for keeping you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when you need it without caffeine's side effects.
In a study published in the Behavioral Neuroscience journal, researchers administered CBD to certain areas of the brain. They found that it activated receptors in the areas responsible for waking us up. Another study tested the same theory on rats with similar results; CBD activated neurons in the areas of the brain responsible for alertness.
And in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, researchers tested how both THC and CBD affected nocturnal sleep as well as early-morning performance. They found that at certain doses, CBD counteracted the sedative-like effects of THC during sleep, making the participants more alert during the night.
But isn’t CBD also touted as a sleep aid? It can be confusing to consider putting CBD in something like coffee or energy drinks, or even to think about using it for energy at all.
It works because CBD and other cannabinoids help the ECS (endocannabinoid system) achieve homeostasis, an overall balance, in the body. This goes for the nervous system and all of the major bodily systems.
Dr. Bonni Goldstein, medical director for Canna-Centers, explains further, telling Marie Claire that CBD in low doses can act as a stimulant while CBD in high doses can act as a sedative. Some people have even started experimenting with CBD-infused coffee, finding that it gives them more energy without the jitters and anxiousness.
According to Jane West, also interviewed for the Marie Claire piece, who says her team is “drawing on a wealth of anecdotal evidence,” CBD in your java can really take the edge off. “My colleagues, friends, and I have found that CBD-infused coffee largely does away with the anxiety and acid belly typically associated with coffee,” she says.
“That makes sense, because research suggests CBD has anti-anxiety and [anti-nausea] effects. We’ve also found that compared to the coffee we reach for regularly, testers experience a less jittery, elevated burst of energy after drinking CBD-infused coffee.”
And we've all had the experience of trying an especially uplifting cannabis strain. Much of this kind of mood-enhancing effect comes from terpenes, which are also present in hemp plants. High-quality, pesticide-free CBD products from hemp extract can offer the same natural boost.
Does CBD give you energy or make you tired?
Great question, actually.
The evidence on CBD for focus is really still developing, but here’s what we know so far. Although CBD does not typically promote feeling wide awake, it does improve other issues that can, left untreated, sap your energy and make you tired. In this way, CBD can genuinely help you focus and feel better-rested—if only indirectly.
CBD is a great solution for symptoms of stress and anxiety that keep you feeling tired. For example, anxiety disorders can cause difficulty concentrating and produce feelings of fatigue. And CBD may also help relieve social anxiety and PTSD symptoms, both of which can cause anyone to feel tired and lose focus.
CBD is well-known for its ability to help treat sleep issues for many people. But how does that help you if you’re already losing focus and feeling tired? Well, if you never get enough sleep to start with, you’re doomed to feel fatigued and struggle with focus. If CBD helps you get enough rest and regulate your sleep cycle, that problem is solved.
Similarly, CBD oil can help treat pain, including the kinds of chronic pain and inflammation that can cause so much fatigue and challenge your ability to focus. By helping to reduce pain, CBD may help you increase your energy levels and focus.
Another thing to consider regarding cannabidiol and focus is extra ingredients. Most products use some sort of carrier oils such as hempseed oil, MCT oil, cranberry oil, grapeseed oil, or EVOO. They may also use flavorings and terpenes, or even herbal supplements to boost energy and fight fatigue.
Finally, don’t forget other ways to boost energy, focus, and wellness naturally, including getting plenty of exercise, supplementing vitamin B12, avoiding stress, and eating well. And if concentration and fatigue are a constant battle for you, talk to a healthcare provider. CBD is amazing for your over well-being, but it's not a cure-all.
How CBD gives your body more energy
CBD energy doesn't come in an instant burst like what you get from a Red Bull energy drink or cup of coffee, but the effects it has on your body create an all-natural, sustained boost of energy that lasts longer and is healthier for you.
CBD and the endocannabinoid system (ECS): Full spectrum CBD products work on humans because they're loaded with cannabinoids. Cannabinoids interact with the ECS to control appetite, mood, memory, and sleep. When these are all functioning at their top level, your baseline wellness level will be higher and allow you to put more energy into things that matter, not the things that aren't working.
(If the full spectrum moniker is worrying you, don't let it. Cannabis products naturally contain some level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but legal CBD products must be harvested from the right kind of hemp plants and contain less than 0.3% THC to comply with guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And if even that seems like too much, you can still use broad-spectrum CBD products that have lots of cannabinoids like CBG and CBN but are still THC-free.)
Improves focus: Many people report burnout from workouts and everyday stress as things that get in the way of their productivity and focus. CBD is a natural calmer that resets your body and mind, so everyday stress and workplace anxiety melt away. This allows your mind to focus on the task at hand, not the stress, which is an energy zapper.
Melts away pain: Some users of CBD tinctures, edibles, CBD capsules, and topical CBD products have great success with minor aches and pains. The exhaustion of dealing with chronic pain saps your energy, so CBD can help in this way, too!
CBD works double duty to make you more productive
Being the overachiever that it is, CBD doesn’t just support wakefulness. It can also increase motivation by quieting the chaotic, unproductive thoughts flying around in your head, putting you in a state of calm, and giving you more mental clarity.
The result? You’re more equipped to concentrate on your to-do list and less likely to distract yourself with funny memes on your Instagram feed.
Picking the right CBD products for energy
Want to try taking the best CBD for energy? You can actually maximize the effects of CBD with other ingredients. FOCL stacks its FOCL Day supplement with other helpful adaptogens to help you feel energized and focused throughout your day.
It contains Rhodiola Rosea, a flower linked to improved brain function and decreased stress, and Lion’s Mane, the king of mushrooms, which is thought to benefit cognitive health. Plus, green tea (L-theanine), Vitamin B6, and a plant called Bacopa Monnieri that is known to support concentration. All of these ingredients help protect you against that 2 PM crash.
So are there CBD gummies for energy? Yes! FOCL Premium CBD Gummies will help you chill out and stay focused. If you’re not constantly on edge with anxiety, you’re better able to take on each task one by one, and these CBD gummies are specially formulated to help you do it. With a perfectly sized 25mg amount of CBD, you'll stay calm and focused for hours.
Which strain of CBD is best for energy?
Just like with regular cannabis, when it comes to strains and CBD, there is plenty of misinformation out there. When it comes to CBD and energy levels, it's far more about the whole CBD product. What is the entire breakdown of cannabinoids and terpenes? What other herbal ingredients are in there?
That said, there are certain strains that many users like more than others for an energy boost. Lifter is a favorite, as are Harlequin and Hawaiian Haze. These are both high CBD hemp strains that can keep you feeling awake and refreshed. Or just look for one of your favorite uplifting cannabis strains in a high-CBD version.
How to start using CBD for energy
Ready to optimize your daily energy levels with CBD? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3...
- Find the right low-dose CBD product. Get what's right for you - like a CBD oil tincture or CBD capsule.
- Incorporate CBD into your morning routine. Take CBD with your coffee, morning glass of water, or in your smoothie. Or, keep it in your car, purse, or even on your desk for easy access throughout the day.
- Make it a habit. Take CBD every day for it to build up in your body and have the most optimal effect.
With its growing popularity, there’s no doubt that scientists will continue to study how CBD and the rest of the cannabis plant can help us all become better humans and live happier healthier lives. In the meantime, try using CBD during the day to help naturally stimulate your brain and give you the tools you need to be more productive and present.
Ready to start generating some all-natural CBD energy? Check out FOCL here.
Catherine Conelly is a former beauty and health editor turned freelance writer and content marketer. She’s written for Shape, Thrillist, PopSugar and StyleCaster. Her work has also appeared on Forbes, Entrepreneur, the Glassdoor Blog and Adidas Game Plan A.
