If you struggle to concentrate on your studies, work or other important tasks, you’re not alone. We are always surrounded by things that are competing for our attention.
This can include external distractions such as social media notifications, to internal struggles, such as thoughts and emotions.
As distractions build, you fall further behind with your work or studies and it becomes harder to focus. Then the panic sets in, and you’re unable to focus on anything but the feeling that you are falling further and further behind.
Sound familiar?
Then we have some good news for you. While you can’t always avoid distractions, there are many ways to boost your focus and sharpen your memory.
One natural way that you may be able to improve your focus is with CBD. Due to CBD’s ability to promote well-being and enhance the balance of your mind, there may be potential benefits in using CBD for focus.
But what exactly is the relationship between CBD and focus?
And can CBD help with studying?
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into:
- How CBD affects focus
- The link between CBD and studying
- How to choose the best CBD for focus and concentration
In this guide:
How does CBD affect concentration?
CBD is a natural compound extracted from the hemp plant. It offers a wide range of benefits for enhancing your overall sense of well-being.
However, CBD should not be confused with THC, a completely different cannabinoid that is found in marijuana. While trace amounts of THC may be found in hemp plants, this is not the primary cannabinoid.
THC is the psychoactive compound that is responsible for the “high” people experience when they smoke marijuana. Because of this, people may think that cannabinoids will hinder their focus and concentration.
However, although CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, they have very different effects. So while THC can certainly disrupt your ability to concentrate, CBD does not have the same impact on the human body.
Read more: CBD vs THC
Now that we know this health supplement does not harm the psychoactive area of the brain, the question is, can it help to boost your focus?
How does CBD for focus work?
More research is needed to understand if and how CBD helps to improve focus, but this is what we know so far.
CBD interacts with the human body in many different ways. These include impacting some of the major underlying factors that can lead to poor focus and concentration.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which is involved with many processes that influence our ability to focus, including mood, appetite, sleep and memory.
By supporting the body to be able to function correctly, you may be able to enjoy additional benefits, including a boost in your ability to focus.
The ECS is also involved with hormone release and regulation. By regulating the release of hormones like cortisol, you should enjoy a more relaxed state that will enable you to focus.
Since CBD is generally considered safe for healthy adults to take daily, there is little risk or harm in using CBD for focus and concentration.
Remember that CBD is not a cure or a treatment, but should be treated as a supplement that can help to boost your general sense of wellness.
Can CBD help you study?
Many people turn to CBD for improved sleep, so it might make you nervous to take this supplement before you start to study.
However, you needn’t be concerned.
CBD is not going to get you high or make you drop off to sleep in the middle of studying for an exam.
Instead, it can support your body to be able to function more effectively, giving you more energy while you study.
In addition, if you are stressed or anxious about your upcoming test or assignment due date, CBD may help to instil a feeling of calm.
How to take CBD for focus
Now we’ve discussed how CBD can aid with underlying issues that may hinder concentration, you may be wondering how to take CBD oil for better concentration.
It’s important to remember that CBD isn’t a one-size-fits-all product.
What works for someone else may or may not work for you. Trying it out is the best way to find a suitable method and dosage for you.
CBD oil is a great choice in this situation as it is fast-acting and offers high bioavailability when compared with CBD capsules or edibles.
It is usually recommended to take it at least 30 to 40 minutes before you plan on studying. CBD may not improve your focus immediately after consumption – it takes time to reach your bloodstream and get transported through the body.
Read more: How long does CBD take to work?
In terms of dose, it is always a good idea to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it to find the dose that works for you.
We also recommend keeping a diary that tracks your dosages and how you feel, to help you find the perfect dosage.
It’s also important to be aware that CBD may interact with medication, so you should always consult your doctor before starting to take CBD.
4 benefits of using CBD for focus
There can be a number of factors that affect your focus and memory.
Poor diet, lack of sleep, life pressures, distractions, and medical conditions can detract from your focus and make it harder for you to study.
There are promising signs that taking CBD regularly can improve the underlying causes of reduced concentration, due to its balancing effects on the mind and the endocannabinoid system.
Let’s see how CBD can help address these factors and help to boost your focus.
1. Improved sleep
As discussed above, lack of adequate sleep can have a negative impact on your health. Not only does it make it hard for you to focus on your studies, but inadequate sleep can interfere with your memory, hindering exam performance.
Some students find it difficult to fall asleep due to exam stress, while others rely on caffeine to keep them feeling more alert so they can study for longer.
Your body finds it difficult to retain information and focus on the task at hand when you don’t get enough sleep, which is why sleep-deprived students have a hard time completing their assignments.
A regular dose of CBD, of around 25 milligrams, may improve well-being and sleep patterns. This can enhance your concentration and focus as a result.
Read more: CBD for sleep
2. Improves mood and energy
Another common cause of concentration issues is mood issues. A bad mood affects your motivation.
It is normal for people to not take interest in assignments or apply themselves to study for exams when they feel unmotivated.
Your mood is closely linked to a lack of productivity due to a lack of focus. Although CBD may not guarantee to improve your mood, it does interact with your endocannabinoid system, which plays a part in regulating hormones that impact your mood.
3. Pain reduction
If you are in pain for any reason, your focus will naturally be pulled away from the task at hand.
Think about any time you’ve had a toothache, headache, or muscle aches. It becomes very difficult to concentrate on any task as your mind will always wander back to the pain.
Since the ECS is involved with pain response and inflammation, it is hoped that a regular dose of CBD could help with pain, but there’s still a lot we don’t know about how this might work.
However, since CBD is generally safe for healthy adults, there is little harm in adding it to your daily routine to see how it impacts your pain and concentration.
Read more: CBD for pain relief
4. Reduced anxiety
An anxious mind cannot stay focused, so finding a way to manage your anxiety is one way to help boost concentration.
The plant terpenes and flavonoids found in full and broad-spectrum CBD oil may be able to help in this instance.
Read more: CBD for anxiety
How to choose the best CBD oil for focus and concentration
If you’ve decided to add CBD to your routine to help with focus and studying, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
When choosing your CBD provider, always choose one that values transparency and honesty about its products.
This means you should be able to access a certificate of analysis to help you to understand what you are taking. A certificate of analysis will also help to confirm that the product has been third-party tested – here is a handy guide on how to read CBD lab results.
You will also be able to see the cannabinoid contents and check that it contains safe and legal levels of THC.
And finally, you should also look for CBD derived from organic hemp plants. This helps to guarantee quality and minimises the risk that it will contain traces of pesticides or other contaminants.
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Final thoughts on CBD and focus
CBD oil may be a promising option for focus and memory, as it can help restore balance and promote a sense of calm.
That being said, we cannot guarantee that CBD can be helpful when it comes to some of the root causes of poor concentration, such as a lack of sleep and poor lifestyle choices.
However, this isn’t to say that CBD and focus have a direct link – nor is it a magical cure for people who lack concentration.
Cannabidiol must not be considered as an alternative to certified medicines for health disorders. You should seek your doctor’s advice before starting to take CBD, especially if you suffer from any condition or are taking medication.
