Sharpening Our Focus and Premium CBD: Can Cannabidiol Help Concentration?

If you feel brain fog is holding you back from unlocking your true potential, you may be interested to hear the answer could lie in nature. Many CBD users support its use as a way of invigorating their energy levels and creating an internal environment that supports and nurtures focus.

But wait, didn’t we say CBD helps people sleep? How could this be true? Well, while CBD has been found to potentially support restful sleep, it’s also purported to help focus and concentration. Here lies the true power of CBD. This powerful, natural supplement may not only help to deliver your body with potential therapeutic benefits, but it might just also work with your body to decide which exact potential benefits it needs. Join us as we delve deeper into the mind of CBD.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound found in the hemp plant, which is purported to possess an array of therapeutic benefits. For this reason, CBD has been on the radar of health and well-being enthusiasts for many years, and has seen astronomical popularity in recent years as individuals strive to discover more conscious and natural products and solutions. 

Although it requires much more scientific research before we are able to make any definitive claims, CBD is currently believed to carry potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is, therefore, no wonder why many individuals choose to use CBD oil to possibly improve their holistic health and well-being, complemented by the fact that it has gained much anecdotal support for its purported ability to produce feelings of relaxation and overall well-being.

This naturally-occurring substance is also praised for its versatility, as there are many ways you can incorporate CBD oil into your daily routine to reap its potential benefits. These include supplementing our diet with CBD oil through sublingual methods (e.g. CBD tinctures and oils) and oral consumption (e.g. CBD capsules and edibles) or using the oil topically for its potential anti-inflammatory and calming effects.

This empowers you to use your CBD oil in ways that best suit and enrich your life, being a holistic supplement to possibly impact your overall well-being. No matter how you choose to consume your CBD, we implore you to invest in premium CBD to best look after your safety and well-being.

Aside from this powerful potential, CBD is also purported to help promote our inner well-being and happiness. Working as a natural balancer, CBD may help us to stabilise our feelings of well-being and combat the spiralling pressures of daily life. We believe premium full-spectrum CBD oil has the potential to insert feelings of calm back into your day.

For this reason, CBD oil is considered to be a highly-regarded botanical supplement, often used with the intent of combating symptoms of stress and anxiety, sleep loss, pain, and helping to improve focus and concentration. By finding ways of incorporating CBD into your daily routine, you will open the doors to discovering the best version of yourself, improving your life and rooting yourself back in nature.

In the early 1900s, one of the most critical physiological systems in our bodies was discovered, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This discovery resulted in uncovering the human body’s largest neurotransmitter (chemical-signalling) system, operating throughout a complex network of cannabinoid receptors found in the cells of our central and peripheral nervous system. 

Within the ECS, endocannabinoids (cannabinoids that are naturally produced by the body) are formed. Endocannabinoids communicate cell-to-cell with receptors throughout the ECS to trigger a physiological response. It is here that we can begin to understand the body’s purported compatibility with CBD, as the naturally-occurring cannabinoids found in the hemp plant work in much the same way as the body’s endocannabinoids.

Forming a bridge between our body and mind, endocannabinoids and CBD are believed to communicate cell-to-cell through the ECS’s receptors. These receptors are found in our immune cells, connective tissues, glands, organs, and brain.

When CBD binds with these receptors, this may trigger cellular responses throughout the body that modulate physiological functions with the common goal of maintaining homeostasis. This natural intelligence demonstrates how our body is able to utilise CBD to create unique and direct action to our individual needs, both physically and mentally.   

Did you know?

The ECS is not exclusive to humans. In fact, all vertebrates and invertebrates also have an ECS. Knowledge surrounding the history of the ECS demonstrates its essential role in the survival of living organisms. For example, the ECS can be dated back over 600 million years ago to sea-squirts during the Neoproterozoic period. This is believed to be the period in which the first multi-celled organisms lived, demonstrating the vast and crucial importance of the ECS for survival. 

What is Homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the body’s natural state of internal equilibrium, providing stability no matter what occurs in the external environment. Maintaining homeostasis is vital to physical health, as it affects many processes and functions, including our mood, memory, sleep, pain, inflammation, appetite, and reproduction.

When our body is not in a state of homeostasis, issues arise, which can include stress and anxiety, nausea, inflammation, arthritis, epilepsy, and cancer. The ECS works to modulate the body’s processes and functions, sending balancing and regulating signals cell-to-cell to keep homeostasis and generally maintain the health and survival of the body.

Achieving Internal Bliss

Many cells within the body have been found to contain both CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are ready to activate their own physiological roles. Anandamide, a cannabinoid-like chemical, is known to have some effects in the brain, where it has its most significant amount of related receptors.

Often cited as the “feel good” endocannabinoid, this chemical’s name actually derives from the meaning “internal bliss”. Being deficient in anandamide can be linked to neurological conditions such as depression, and certain syndromes, including schizophrenia.  

Research conducted to explore endocannabinoids in nervous system health, and disease found that anandamide had the potential to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors, which is involved with factors such as our memory, thought processes, and motivation. 

As your natural production of anandamide plays a determining role over the need and use of CBD oil, it makes CBD a potentially very desirable option for those lacking in the natural feel-good chemical.

Naturally, this botanical supplement has many possible connections to our brain. Already, we have discussed ways in which CBD may be linked to the brain’s receptors and its functions, such as memory, thought-process, motivation, mood, and more. Therefore, if you are looking for a natural and safe way to complement and improve your focus, whether for studies or work, you may be interested in reading on and discovering more amazing findings!

Many factors play a role in our ability to focus. One of these is the level of anxiety we are experiencing. Through periods where our stress levels are high, and anxiety is rife, we often experience fidgety behaviour as the body exerts this stress into distracting physical behaviour. By lowering our stress levels and easing feelings of anxiety, we will reduce the amount of fidgeting, allowing our body to enter a state of calm which is optimal for focusing. 

Furthermore, in the same way, CBD may interact with receptors in our ECS; it is also known to potentially stabilise our serotonin levels. Serotonin is a hormone responsible for our mood, including feelings of happiness and well-being.

For this reason, CBD’s ability to regulate serotonin levels through the interaction with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain means CBD may have potential antidepressant effects. This hormone is also known to have influence over functions such as digestion, appetite, and sleep. All these are physiological factors that may have a significant impact on our ability to focus.  

As well as influencing our serotonin levels, CBD is also believed to have the potential to lower cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone. When cortisol levels are too high, it can take a real toll on your body, and cause many unwanted symptoms that could adversely affect your ability to focus, including difficulty concentrating, severe fatigue, headaches, and more.

If you suffer from stress or anxiety, then you probably are no stranger to sleep issues. According to the NHS, adults should aim to sleep for 6 to 9 hours every night. For those who have insomnia, this may seem an impossible feat.

Whilst it is recommended that adults receive 8 hours of sleep, research by Aviva shows that adults in the UK sleep for an average of just 6.4 hours a night. This means adults in the UK are missing out on around 11 hours of recommended sleep each week. 

Unfortunately, anxiety and sleep is often part of a vicious cycle. The more anxious we feel, the less we sleep, and the less we sleep, the more anxious we feel. It is evident that the pressures of modern life have only made this more challenging, which is why we may aim to find solutions in nature. However, by helping to improve our emotional and mental well-being, it is also believed that we can help our physical health by improving our quality of sleep.

Awakening Results 

In 2019, a study was published which investigated the possible effect of CBD on anxiety and sleep. Researchers collected anxiety and sleep quality data from 103 adult participants who were monitored through monthly documentation. The focus was to find the impact CBD oil may have on sleep and anxiety, and the results were impressive. 

Researchers who evaluated participants’ sleep and anxiety after consuming CBD oil consisted of a final sample of 72 adults who suffered from anxiety and poor sleep. The study found 57 participants (79.2%) reported fewer anxiety attacks within the first month of consuming CBD oil, with reports remaining consistent throughout the study.     

Sleep indicators were also found to improve, with 48 participants (66.7%) showing improvement in their sleep within just the first month of the study. However, many participants found sleep quality to fluctuate slightly during the study. 

Overall, the study produced successful findings showing promising positive preliminary evidence that CBD oil may be beneficial to those dealing with symptoms of anxiety and sleep issues.

CBD and Brain Function

As well as helping to supplement our physical health, CBD has also been found to contain potential neurogenesis-related properties. Such properties involve the formation of new brain cells, which is believed to influence our interactions with the external environment.

For example, such properties are purported to impact our mood and well-being, as well as influence our creativity and open-mindedness. These are critical factors in our ability to focus and work to the best of our ability. For this reason, CBD could be seen as a natural way to unlock the true potential of our minds, helping to reform self-limiting behaviour and thoughts into feelings of energy, positivity, and well-being.

CBD has the Potential to Improve Blood Flow to the brain

Adding more food for thought, researchers from the University of College London have carried out a study on CBD use, stating it may improve blood flow to the brain’s hippocampus. Published in August 2020, this report shows significant evidence for the use of CBD to potentially enhance brain function.

Researchers findings included that CBD may have caused a significant blood flow increase to the orbitofrontal cortex, which is a part of the prefrontal cortex where the brain operates its planning and decision-making. Therefore, just as CBD is purported to potentially help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and other neurological disorders, there is also strong evidence to suggest its use to improve memory function.

Finding your unique dosage of CBD is a personal journey, and so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to discovering what is right for you. There are many individual variables that will significantly impact your dosage size. 

CBD dosage depends on factors, including your:

• Age
• Height
• Weight
• BMI
• Metabolism
• Health  

As well as these personal factors, there are other points to take into consideration, such as your purpose for consumption and the form of CBD you wish to take. Both of these will have a significant impact on your dosage, as some forms of CBD have higher bioavailability rates than others, and your chosen form may depend on your reason for taking it.

The reason behind our unique response to CBD is that we each have various amounts and densities of cannabinoid receptors throughout our bodies. These variants trigger different reactions in individuals, leading to unique CBD experiences. 

For this reason, when starting your CBD journey, we highly recommend that you begin with a small dose and increase gradually. This will allow you to monitor your body’s reaction to CBD and help you avoid any unwanted side effects, as well as allow your body time to interact with the cannabinoids present to build their response. 

To help you go about your journey the right way, we have developed three strengths of premium CBD oil: 

1. 100 mg oil (1%): Suitable for those trying CBD for the first time, easing your body into interacting with CBD.
2. 200 mg oil (2%): Increase your CBD dosage to our medium-strength oil to build up your tolerance.
3. 500 mg oil (5%): Experienced users can enjoy our most potent CBD oil for the possibility of more significant effects.  

Through gradually incorporating CBD into your life, you will discover your unique optimal dosage that may benefit your overall well-being in pursuit of holistic health.

Feeling No Effects?  

Small doses of CBD have also been found to potentially encourage the natural production of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in the ECS. For this reason, some new users of CBD may report experiencing no effects from consuming CBD for the first time, as they may be deficient in cannabinoid receptors.

With regular use, CBD may promote the production of cannabinoid receptors to result in the capability to interact with CBD by the second or third administration. 

One question that often arises when discussing CBD consumption is, “can CBD get you high?” The simple answer to this question is no. Whilst full-spectrum CBD contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it is legally required that CBD products only contain this intoxicating chemical in trace amounts. For this reason, CBD is non-toxic, and possesses no ability to intoxicate its users. 

The legalisation of CBD in many areas of the world has allowed the supplement to gain mainstream acceptance in the health and wellness industry. In fact, it is now commonplace in many health food stores and pharmacies. 

What is THC?  

The legalisation of CBD in 2018 has meant there is lots of catching up to do with general knowledge surrounding the supplement. Common misconceptions often arise from the fact that CBD is a hemp-derived product, leading to questions over its safety. However, thanks to strict laws surrounding CBD extraction, these products are lawfully obliged to contain trace amounts of THC.   

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, which is infamous for its inclusion in recreational cannabis (which enables users to experience the sensation of being “high”.)

As THC is present only in minimal amounts in full-spectrum CBD oil, it is uncommon that consuming CBD would cause you to fail a drug test. However, for those subject to regular drug testing, you may wish to explore pure, isolated CBD options which exclude all THC.

However, CBD isolate is also known to eradicate beneficial compounds of the hemp plant, including various cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Therefore, its use is not accompanied by the entourage effect, which is closely connected with CBD’s potential therapeutic benefits.

How Much Is Too Much?  

In the UK and most of Europe, laws stipulate that CBD must be extracted from approved strains of the hemp plant containing below 0.2%-0.3% THC. This is to result in CBD products that have THC levels less than 1 mg.

Due to its non-intoxicating status, legal CBD, which contains below 0.3% THC is considered a food supplement, with no evidence to suggest its use could lead to abuse or dependency; instead, working as a natural way to enhance your overall well-being.  

As of today, CBD is legal in many countries across the world. However, it is highly recommended to research the legality of CBD where you live before making any purchases, to avoid disappointment.

Full-spectrum CBD refers to the inclusion of all the natural compounds found in the hemp plant. When all these compounds are maintained, they work synergistically to create the entourage effect. The benefit of the entourage effect is that these compounds, including cannabidiol, work to more significant effect when used together than when used in isolation.

This is why full-spectrum CBD has been considered to be more effective than purer forms of CBD, such as CBD isolate, which contains 99.9% CBD. For CBD isolate to be produced, it undergoes an intense purification process, where many of the hemp plant’s other beneficial compounds are eradicated. Due to this, consumers often opt for full-spectrum CBD, which may deliver the plant’s natural compounds as nature intended, to optimise its potential effects through the entourage effect whilst still remaining non-intoxicating.    

With so many CBD products hitting the market in a short space of time, it is more important than ever to ensure you purchase CBD from trusted websites, stores, and pharmacies. The critical thing to look for when searching for CBD is that the product carries a Certificate of Analysis (COA). A COA ensures that the product’s content is lab-tested and accurately reported and is confirmed by a third party. 

Why You Should Never Buy Low-Quality CBD 

Aside from being known to carry lower bioavailability levels, concern over low-quality CBD is primarily due to the inclusion and misreporting of unsafe content. This is caused by the industry’s lack of regulation which has allowed brands to not be forthcoming about their CBD or THC content through mislabelling. Not only does this overcharge customers for CBD, which may contain minimal amounts of cannabinoids, but the THC content may also be dangerously high and above the legal limit.  

The unreliability of products in the market has led to investigations into the mislabelling of CBD items. One of the most startling studies was carried out in 2017 by Marcel Bonn-Miller, which discovered that nearly 70% of CBD products purchased online for the study were incorrectly labelled.

Of these, 43% contained less than reported levels of CBD, and 26% were found to have higher levels of CBD than reported. This displayed great uncertainty and misuse of trust in the CBD consumer market. However, unfortunately, this was not the worst of Bonn-Miller’s findings. The study found that 1 in 5 of these products contained significant THC levels, which could pose a serious danger to consumers. 

Bonn-Miller stated that aside from its unwanted intoxicating nature, THC also had the potential to increase anxiety levels, despite the common purchase intent of consumers looking to potentially reduce anxiety through the use of CBD. This massive oversight has raised numerous concerns within the industry and highlights the importance of purchasing premium CBD oil which carries a COA to verify its content.

Providing You With Quality You Can Trust 

Raising the bar for quality and transparency standards in the industry, our premium full-spectrum CBD oil also carries a COA, where you will find information such as the product’s cannabinoid content and terpene profile. Our premium full-spectrum CBD oil is produced to the highest quality by following stringent quality guidelines alongside industry experts.

This includes gentle and pure extraction methods to preserve the comprehensive cannabinoid profile of the hemp plant as nature intended. The result is premium full-spectrum CBD oil which contains all the natural phytocannabinoids and minimal THC levels (that have no power to intoxicate), delivering you with unmatched quality to support your holistic health and well-being, naturally.