CAN CBD GIVE YOUR MEDITATION A BOOST?
Some people might often define meditation as the process of emptying your thoughts to have a clearer sense of perspective. However, according to Headspace, “Meditation isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. It’s about training in awareness and getting a healthy sense of perspective. You’re not trying to turn off your thoughts or feelings. You’re learning to observe them without judgment. And eventually, you may start to better understand them as well.”
With this in mind, some meditation practitioners still find it hard to make way for acceptance due to high-stress levels. And this where CBD comes in. In this article, we’re going to enumerate the benefits of using CBD in your meditation practices.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Its counterpart, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the cannabinoid that is responsible for making you high and groggy.
CBD does none of that. In fact, it’s mainly used for medical marijuana. Small- and medium-sized clinics are now even embracing the power of cannabis healing. Since the legalization of marijuana in Canada last October 2018, medical clinics and online dispensaries have enabled accessibility of CBD products to eligible Canadians.
The History of Cannabis and Religion
To some believers, meditation and cannabis go hand in hand. This stems from the interesting history between the relation of cannabis and religion.
Ancient history even recalls how some parts of the Indian subcontinent used cannabis as an entheogen to call for a spiritual experience. The practitioners do this so they can achieve overall spiritual development.
In the 1930s, a religion called Rastafari emerged believing cannabis to be a sacred plant. Their “groundations,” or otherwise called as communal meetings are accompanied by discussions, music, chanting, and of course, smoking cannabis. And the smoking part is known as a religious rite with mental benefits.
And the assimilation of cannabis into meditation all went uphill from there.
Benefits of CBD for Meditation
The human body has various receptors that contribute to our bodily functions. And since CBD has natural cannabinoids that work hand in hand with the body’s receptors, it’s a good meditation enhancement.
The 5-HT1A receptors, for example, are most prominent in the central nervous system. These receptors are serotonin receptor subtypes that cause vagus nerve stimulation and peripheral vasodilation induction.
In turn, these processes can help decrease a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. And this is one of the reasons why CBD can boost meditation sessions. Practitioners can feel even more relaxed as their veins open up more, allowing more blood flow and oxygen to major organs.
When there’s a serotonin boost, we instantly feel happier. This also reduces stress levels and gives us more energy. As a matter of fact, a study that involved 72 adults with anxiety issues showed how their anxiety scores have lessened during the initial month.
Another reason why CBD also gives your meditation a boost is that you instantly feel that “relaxing” feeling in your muscles, without the “high” from THC, of course. Overall, taking a drop of CBD oil or eating CBD-infused edibles will surely make your meditation practices worthwhile.
Author Bio:
Eliza Brooks, an avid blogger and advocate of the legalization of cannabis, loves to write about health, fitness and travel. She is currently working with Apollo Clinic offers medical marijuana prescriptions, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to medical cannabis.
