How CBD Could Help Elevate and Enhance Your Mood

Emotions tend to be short-lived, have a known catalyst, and are often felt quite intensely. Moods, on the other hand, are more vague. Your unsettling feelings could linger for hours, days, or weeks at a time. You may not even be consciously aware that you're in a good mood or bad until reflecting on your response to a particular situation. However, moods and emotions are interconnected. You're far more likely to draw on negative emotions when you're in a bad mood and view the world far more optimistically when your mood is light (Thagard, 2018). Are you looking for a natural solution to help support a positive, balanced mental state? 

You could try chocolate; several studies suggest indulging in the sweet confection may help offset certain dietary deficiencies or low levels of mood-modifying neurotransmitters (Rhijn, 2000). Then again, you could get the same effect by spending more time in the sun (Sarfaraz et al., 2018) or boosting your activity levels (Basso & Suzuki, 2017). But can these solutions provide anything other than a short-term boost? If your doldrums are defiantly turning your sunny skies to gray, maybe it's time to consider investing in the health and wellness potential of hemp-derived CBD. Based on what we know about CBD's impact on numerous molecular targets, the cannabinoid has some serious potential as a natural mood enhancer.   

What Are Mood Enhancers?  

Mood enhancers, not to be confused with mood stabilizers, are substances that interact with the area of your brain responsible for feelings of positivity and overall well-being. While there are many natural mood enhancers, most work by either calming the impact of stress or increasing the levels of "feel good" chemicals in your brain; dopamine, serotonin, GABA, or anandamide, a substance produced in your body also known as the "bliss molecule." What does CBD have to do with the neurotransmitters targeted by so many natural mood enhancers? A lot more than you might expect. 

How Could CBD Help Enhance My Moods?  

When you add hemp-derived CBD to your daily routine, the cannabinoid interacts with more than 65 molecular targets, including the receptors of your serotonin, dopamine, and GABA systems (Elsaid & Foll, 2020). Maybe even more impressively, the cannabinoid also interacts with the receptors of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). As the largest regulatory system in your body, ECS signaling is responsible for nearly every critical function, from your stress responses, memory, moods, and emotional regulation to digestive processes and muscle movement (Mouslech & Valla, 2009). 

Based on what the research shows so far, CBD's interaction with ECS receptors inhibits the function of FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), the metabolic enzyme responsible for the breakdown of anandamide (Devitt-Lee, 2019). Although most of the research is based on lab reports, animal studies, clinical trials, and the testimony of CBD users claiming favorable results, researchers believe CBD and other hemp-derive cannabinoids help support ECS function in a way that promotes internal balance (homeostasis) (Sallaberry & Astern, 2018). 

What Does the Research Show? Is There Scientific Evidence?  

Based on the feedback of nearly 2000 survey respondents, most CBD users report positive results using hemp-derived products for better sleep, relaxation, and discomfort after physical activity, all potential mood enhancers. But maybe even more impressively, 89% report that CBD helps calm their minds, and 88% claim the cannabinoid helps with mild or temporary anxiety. An impressive 73% prefer CBD to wine and 76% to alcohol for relaxation. 

You'll also find a significant number of preliminary studies detailing positive results in the lab. For example, in a 2017 investigation of the effects of CBD for mental health and emotional distress, researchers report favorable results in animal models (Iffland & Grotenhermen, 2017). In a similar study published in Behavioural Brain Research, investigators also noted favorable effects and credited test subject improvements to the cannabinoid's ability to bind with PPARy receptors and the impact of those receptors on brain-derived neurotrophic factors (Sales et al., 2020).   

CBD Products Aimed at Elevating Your Mood  

CBD is the most abundant of more than 140 active plant elements in hemp-derived extract that researchers classify as a cannabinoid. These active plant elements function as neurotransmitters. Although just about any high-quality hemp-derived CBD product could help elevate your mood, we're not just any company. 

At CBDistillery®, you'll find an impressive selection of products made with enhanced concentrations of some of the plant's most compelling minor cannabinoids. Some also feature a range of botanical ingredients selected to complement specific attributes of our third-party tested hemp extract. If you're wondering which might be best suited to your needs, consider browsing the following descriptions. 

Daytime Synergy CBG + CBD 1:1 Tinctures - Regular & Extra Strength  

Tinctures are a blend of cannabinoid-rich hemp extracts and a carrier oil. Our regular strength CBDistillery® Daytime Synergy Tincture combines the mood and energy-boosting potential of 500mg CBG and 500mg CBD. Our extra-strength CBDistillery® Daytime Synergy Tincture gives you the same 1:1 CBG to CBD ratio, but you'll get double the cannabinoids in each 30ml bottle. For a quick pick-me-up any time of day, hold the tincture under your tongue for 45-60 seconds before swallowing. 

Calm Synergy Kava Root Capsules 

CBDistillery® Calm Synergy Kava Root Capsules are specifically formulated to help promote a sense of calm relaxation. As the CBD helps support ECS function, the kava root could help give you a feeling of next-level serenity, an impact shown to contribute to an overall sense of well-being. Each capsule gives you 30mg of CBD and 400mg of kava root extract (120mg of kavalactones). We generally recommend 1-2 Calm Synergy Capsules per day, but you can always alternate products according to your needs.  

Raw Synergy CBDA & CBD Oil Tincture  

CBDistillery® Raw Synergy CBDA & CBD Oil Tincture gives you a blend of full spectrum hemp extract and just enough CBDA to achieve a 1:1 CBDA to CBD ratio. We think you'll also appreciate the robust terpene profile unique to raw hemp extract. Each bottle gives you 500mg of CBDA and 500mg of CBD. Rather than binding with ECS receptors, CBDA helps support your mood by enhancing the function of serotonin-producing receptors. 

Unwind Synergy+ THC & CBD Gummies   

CBDistillery® Unwind Synergy+ THC & CBD Gummies could be just what you need at the end of a stressful day. Each delicious berry-flavored gummy gives you everything our full spectrum hemp extract has to offer, plus just enough naturally occurring delta 9 THC for relaxation, an enhanced entourage effect, and a mellow uplifting buzz. Each gummy gives you 25mg of CBD and 5mg of THC, a 1:5 THC to CBD ratio selected by our expert botanists to help calm your mind and ease your tension. 

Could CBD Help Elevate Your Mood?  

Your moods and emotions are strongly intertwined with numerous aspects of your overall health and well-being. If you've been feeling disconnected or out of sorts, maybe it's time to consider investing in the mood-enhancing potential of a high-quality hemp-derived product from CBDistillery®. 

At CBDistillery®, you'll find an impressive selection of CBD oil tinctures, topicals, softgels, gummies, and CBD pet products. To learn more about some of the many potential benefits of supporting ECS function with our hemp-derived CBD, CBDA, CBG, CBN, and delta 9-infused THC products, visit CBDistillery® to review industry studies, find answers to frequently asked questions, or schedule a personal consultation with an expert.   

References:  

Basso J, Suzuki W. (2017) The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. 2(2) Brain Plasticity 127-52. https://doi.org/10.3233/BPL-160040 

Devitt-Lee A. (2019) Natural High: CBD Augments Anandamide. Project CBD. 

Elsaid S, Foll B. (2020) The Complexity of Pharmacology of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Its Implications in the Treatment of Brain Disorders. 45 Neuropsychopharmacol 229-30 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0518-1 

Iffland K, Grotenhermen F. (2017) An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. 2(1) Can and Cannabin Res 139-54. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034 

Mouslech Z, Valla V. (2009) Endocannabinoid System: An Overview of Its Potential in Current Medical Practice. 30(2) Neuro Endocrinol Lett 153-79. PDF 

Rhijn V. (2000) Mood and Chocolate. PDF. 

Sales A, Guimaraes F, et al. (2020) CBD Modulates DNA Methylation in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus of Mice Exposed to Forded Swim. 388 Behav Brain Res. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112627 

Sallaberry C, Astern L. (2018) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator. 34(6) JYI 48-55. https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator 

Sarfaraz S, Ahmed N, et al. (2018) Anti-Depressant Effects of Sunlight and Awareness Regarding Light Therapy. 5(7) WJPPS https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328600746 

Thagart, P (2018) What Are Moods? Psychology Today.