Can CBD Oil Improve Your Energy and Focus?

If you start your morning with coffee, but still find you lose focus throughout the day, you’re not alone. Sixty-two percent of Americans drink coffee every day. Thirty-three percent drink energy drinks regularly.  And, 25 percent of Americans over age 50 take a dietary supplement to improve their brain health. If you’re one of the millions of Americans that use coffee, energy drinks, and supplements to boost your energy, you might be interested in learning more about CBD for energy and focus.

We know that CBD plays a role in sleep, appetite and mood, but can it also help with energy and focus?  As we learn more about the potential benefits of CBD oil, research into its uses has exploded. However, most of the studies have focused on CBD for pain, anxiety, and sleep.  There has not been a lot of research on CBD oil for energy and focus. 

​Disclaimer: This does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor for medical advice regarding CBD oil or any other medications.

How CBD improves energy and focus

CBD oil has a variety of uses. Although it’s primarily used for pain and anxiety, researchers are learning more about how the endocannabinoid system works and how it might help with energy.  Some researchers believe it can provide a natural boost in energy and alertness when taken in low dosages.

What people like about CBD is that it makes you feel energized in a different way than coffee or stimulants. It doesn’t create the same side effects as fueling up on caffeine.  You don’t feel jittery and it doesn’t create the withdrawal symptoms that you get from caffeine.  Instead it works naturally with the parts of your brain responsible for regulating alertness.

​Although we don’t have a huge amount of research on CBD oil’s effect on energy and focus, we do know a few things about how it helps.  A study published in the journal Current Neuropharmacology suggests that CBD oil has promising properties that may improve wakefulness and focus. Another study in rats found that CBD  improves alertness by activating  neurons in the hypothalamus and DRD (dorsal raphe nucleus). Both areas of the brain are involved in regulating serotonin and dopamine. The study found that CBD administered to rats increased their dopamine levels and increased alertness.

​But wait, I thought CBD helped with sleep

If you’re confused about how CBD can help with sleep and wakefulness, it’s because CBD has different effects depending on the dosage.  Research suggests that lower doses may improve alertness, while higher doses may be sedating. With this in mind, if you are considering using CBD oil to improve your focus, it’s best to use a low dosage. A 2014 study found that a dosage of around 15mg increased wakefulness.

​CBD may help improve your wake sleep cycles naturally

It’s interesting to see that CBD can help with both wakefulness and sleep. In order to see the full benefit of CBD, it’s helpful to understand how it helps with sleep. Getting quality sleep is necessary to feel more alert. Sleep is when your brain and body restores itself and heals. You can’t skip out on good sleep and expect to feel focused.  Adding CBD oil to your morning routine may help with focus, but getting a quality night’s sleep will help you wake up more refreshed.

CBD in general doesn’t have a sedating effect. However, we believe it helps with sleep because of its effect on cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is typically at its highest in the morning. People that struggle with sleep often have higher levels of cortisol and this may be why they have problems sleeping. Scientists have found that CBD can significantly decrease cortisol levels when taken at higher doses, around 300-600 mg.  By lowering cortisol levels, it’s easier to fall asleep.

​Another less talked about cannabinoid, CBN, may help with sleep even more, especially when taken with CBD. CBN, is a minor cannabinoid that is believed to have a sedating effect.  When taken in the evening, it may help you to get a better night’s sleep. 

​When taken at the right doses, CBD may be beneficial for focus and sleep

If you are interested in using CBD oil to improve your focus, consider adding CBD oil to your morning and evening routine.  At the right dosage, CBD oil may help you to improve your sleep wake cycles and make you  feel more energized and focused.  ​