Feeling a bit down? Bad days happen, and let’s be honest– they’re normal. But if you’re feeling down in the dumps regularly, there are several things you can do to try to be happier and live a more satisfying life.
One happiness-boosting behavior to consider is adding cannabinoids to your daily routine. Cannabinoids are a type of hemp-derived compound that support balance in the body. By promoting healthier serotonin levels, sleep habits, and energy levels, they might just give your mood the little jump start it needs.
Below, discover how hemp cannabinoids like CBD can help your mood, and serve as a little pick-me-up when you’re dealing with disappointments and frustrations.
Serotonin receptors and cannabinoids
Whenever you’re feeling happy and in the groove, you can thank the effects of serotonin. Serotonin is one of our naturally-occurring feel-good hormones, and it impacts every part of our bodies. The scientific name for serotonin is 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Occurring throughout the body, it sends messages related to mood regulation and other functions by interacting with serotonin receptors, also known as 5-HT receptors. But serotonin isn’t the only substance that interacts with serotonin receptors. CBD and serotonin receptors communicate, and other cannabinoids bind to the receptors too. Research shows a connection between cannabinoids and serotonin. By attaching to serotonin receptors, cannabinoids can act as a type of serotonin antagonist, increasing serotonin levels building up in the brain. There’s also evidence that the endocannabinoid system, of which cannabinoids like CBD and delta-9 THC play a crucial role, is partly responsible for regulating the serotonin system. So while cannabinoids like CBD don’t directly influence serotonin levels, they promote the systems that do. With an efficient serotonin system and healthy serotonin levels, you’re much more likely to experience greater feelings of well-being and happiness.Efficacy of cannabinoids to increase energy levels
The more energetic you are, the better you feel. We’ve all experienced that mental lull that comes when we’re tired. Could hemp cannabinoids help? Some cannabinoids appear to help you get up and go, especially when used in the right amount and at the right times. CBD, for example, gives some people awakening effects shortly after taking the cannabinoid, which suggests it could potentially be a wakefulness-promoting agent. But people can and do react to CBD differently. Others have shared they feel more relaxed with CBD and prefer to take it in the evenings. It may all come down to how much you take. In 2017, scientists collected evidence suggesting that lower servings of CBD provide an energy boost, while higher servings produced more of a relaxing result. And CBD isn’t the only cannabinoid to consider for energy, either. If more noticeable energizing effects that encourage drive and motivation sound good to you, then you may want to turn to delta-10 THC, a fresh form of THC made from hemp. Delta-10 is known to give a useful jolt to keep you uplifted through the day. Further reading: Discover more about delta-10 THC by reading our educational article exploring ‘What is Delta-10?’CBD relief and its improvement in mood and mental well-being
Changes in our day-to-day can boost feelings of happiness, but they can also cause us to get down. Internal and external factors can swing our mood one way to another, but we feel better when we’re able to quickly adjust to these fluctuations. That’s where CBD and other cannabinoids come in. Cannabinoids offer this natural relief and promote overall balance, contributing to overall better mental well-being. Recent studies have underscored the ability of CBD to improve mental well-being. Delta-8 THC users constantly tout how good using the compound makes them feel. Hemp cannabinoids support this centering by keeping our endocannabinoid system functioning at an optimal level. This is why there is thought to be a connection between cannabinoids and stress relief. And it’s one of the many reasons CBD has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, as new research explores its potential health benefits. A well-running endocannabinoid system plays a key role in how we feel and our mental well-being. It responds anytime our cells become out of balance and ensures things return to balance or homeostasis. Mentally and physically, a well-operating endocannabinoid keeps us centered. And in turn, we feel better.Cannabinoids and sleep
You know you’re not yourself when you’re tired. You’ve experienced it first-hand – sleep and mood are closely regulated. Poor or inadequate sleep leads to negative moods, irritability, and anger. Regular good nights of sleep are key to making happy moods more stable and improving your mental health. Many factors play a role in how well you sleep. Sleep schedules, sleeping environment, caffeine or alcohol intake, stress, eating habits, and exercise routines are some of the external factors that affect your quality of sleep. Cannabinoids can have a positive impact on your sleep health as well. Better sleep is arguably the number one reason people incorporate cannabinoids into their routine. Many people have found CBD helps with sleep, and there is plenty of literature exploring cannabinoids and their positive influence on sleep.How cannabinoids help with better sleep
Cannabinoids promote healthier sleep habits by supporting the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, regulates sleep and many other functions. Once absorbed in the body, cannabinoids interact with the system’s cannabinoid receptors. How they interact with the receptors and their effects vary depending on the cannabinoid. By nourishing the endocannabinoid system, these cannabinoids contribute to healthy sleep behaviors. One of the signs of a well-running endocannabinoid system is regular nights of quality sleep. There are hemp cannabinoids that promote relaxation, which can ease you into a more restful night. The benefits of CBD encourage a sense of calm by promoting the endocannabinoid system. Other cannabinoids can have more powerful relaxing effects, such as delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, and THC-O. Some cannabinoids like CBD, delta-8, and THC-O can help you fall asleep faster. It doesn’t have to be one or the other, either. These cannabinoids can also be combined to boost sleep quality and duration.Which hemp cannabinoid is best for you?
If you’re interested in exploring cannabinoids to boost happiness and uplift mood, you have some exciting compounds to choose from. While perhaps the most well-known, CBD for mood isn’t the only opportunity out there. Today, there are more ways than ever to benefit from hemp. Some top cannabinoids that can help boost feelings of happiness include:- CBD: Promotes centering, better sleep habits, natural relief, and a sense of calm through its support of the body’s endocannabinoid system. Best CBD for relaxing? Our Complete Full Spectrum CBD Gummies are a top choice.
- Delta-8 THC: Has noticeable uplifting effects that can make you feel happier at the moment, as well as help you relax before bed.
- Delta-9 THC: Has powerful calming effects that can help with natural relief.
- Delta-10 THC: Has energizing effects that can help with drive and motivation.
- THC-O: Has intense and immersive relaxing effects that can help get you to sleep.
- THCV: Helps you to stay focused and energized during the day.
- CBG and CBC: Help calm the mind and lift your spirits so you can focus.
