CBD and Yoga: Can CBD Improve Yoga Experience?

There are many similarities between CBD and yoga. The culture around cannabidiol promotes organic products and a healthier lifestyle. Beginner and seasoned practitioners of yoga alike know that these ideals are likewise pillars of the yoga community.

This article guides cannabidiol users who are interested in marrying their use of CBD with their yoga practice. Curious users can find out which of the best CBD products can lend a hand in creating a stronger attitude for yoga. 

What is CBD 

Cannabidiol is one of the many compounds in the cannabis plant. Many confuse cannabidiol with its cousin hemp compound THC, but these two are separate from one another.

Unlike THC, cannabidiol does not cause any psychoactive effects. No amount of CBD taken can mimic the effects of THC. Although some products contain trace amounts of THC, this small amount is not enough to trigger a high in users. 

The legal amount of THC brands are allowed to include in their products is 0.3% or less. Many companies choose to include THC in their product recipes because its addition activates the entourage effect.

The entourage effect occurs when the cannabinoids and terpenes in the hemp plant work together to bring out CBD’s potential health benefits. 

CBD products that contain THC are categorized as full-spectrum. Broad-spectrum products do not contain any THC but still activate the entourage effect. The presence of hemp elements allows for the effect to take place, even without THC’s addition. 

Recently, more and more people have begun turning to CBD and yoga for its various possible health benefits. Researchers have tested this hemp compound to try and find more than just anecdotal evidence to back up claims of its effectivity. 

How Can CBD Benefit Yoga?

One of the most famous uses for products like CBD oil is in combatting anxiety. Researchers have found that this hemp compound may modulate serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that directly affects a person’s moods. Low levels of serotonin can lead to depression or anxiety. 

This makes cannabidiol helpful to novice yoga practitioners who are nervous and subsequently find it difficult to keep still. Researchers have claimed CBD has a strong potential as an anxiolytic, capable of giving users a sense of calm. 

This is likewise especially helpful for users who have started a yoga practice to combat anxiety disorders.

Deepen Mind-Body Connection

For many people, yoga is more than exercise. Many therapists advise patients diagnosed with anxiety or depression to take up exercise to help create a healthier lifestyle. Yoga is a popular option as it not only builds physical strength but also actively cultivates a healthier mindset. 

The reminder to strengthen the mind-body connection is surely familiar to anyone who has taken up yoga. Instructors often recite this phrase, peppering in its use throughout the lesson. But what does it mean?

Simply put, deepening the mind-body connection means allowing one’s thoughts to positively influence their body. It is a kind of reminder that the mind is able to control the body by sheer force of will.

This is why instructors usually recite this mantra when yoga practitioners are attempting a particularly difficult pose. They are attempting to remind practitioners that positive thinking is immensely important throughout their practice. 

Cannabidiol’s possible anti-depression and anti-anxiety effects may help users also practicing yoga. The sense of calm that this compound may provide can support their mind-body connection. This is just one of the reasons why CBD and yoga may go well together.

Enhance Focus and Concentration

Another essential part of yoga is maintaining strong focus and concentration. This is crucial not only to deepen that famous mind-body connection but also for safety. Many of the poses in yoga require immense concentration so users don’t accidentally hurt themselves by pulling a muscle or falling over. 

CBD’s calming effects may also come in handy for this purpose. Even though the studies on cannabidiol’s effect on focus and concentration are in the preliminary stages, researchers universally agree that people perform better when they are comfortable after partaking in CBD and yoga. 

Reduce Inflammation

Many people new to yoga often suffer from sore muscles post-yoga session. Several poses strengthen muscles and can even serve detoxifying purposes, but if the body is not used to moving in this way, it can still hurt afterward.

Pain relief is perhaps the most common use for CBD. Studies have found that when the compound interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), the reaction can lead to anti-inflammatory effects. 

A survey also recorded 90% of participants reporting CBD as an effective treatment in decreasing pain. They described how their pain reduced both in frequency and duration after incorporating CBD into their lifestyle.

Who Shouldn’t Use CBD During Yoga?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared CBD to be generally safe to consume. Many of the negative effects users feel after taking CBD is because their chosen products do not use pure raw hemp material or have been contaminated. 

However, while both CBD and yoga may be beneficial to the body, users should take precautions before using hemp products to enhance the yoga experience. 

Some scientists recommend users exercise caution when taking CBD if they are already taking prescribed medication. This is especially the case if users are taking medication to address mental illnesses. Cannabidiol may cause a negative reaction if mixed with other medications.

As a rule of thumb, consumers should consult with their doctor before taking any kind of cannabidiol product. 

Is CBD Legal? Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level. Moreover, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and products that have not been FDA approved. Likewise, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase these products. Talk to your physician or medical doctor for additional information.