In America, yoga isn’t just a workout routine; it’s a way of life. From improving flexibility and strength to promoting weight loss, and reducing stress, yoga is renowned for its many benefits. Undoubtedly, yoga is one practice that provides plenty of physical and mental boons.
But, you don’t have to stop at yoga. Far from it. You can take it up a notch. CBD gives you the means.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound of the Cannabis Sativa plant. Like yoga, it offers many physiological benefits, such as lowering anxiety and managing chronic pain.
While CBD is not as scientifically backed as yoga, it’s weaving its way steadily and gradually. Most of the studies on CBD are preclinical but paint a promising picture of the compound’s capacity to exhibit therapeutic effects on the human body.
Most experts believe that CBD and yoga go hand in glove. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence to support these claims. Public forums and communities are filled with positive experiences of people coupling yoga with cannabidiol.
Still, gossip isn’t enough to convince anyone.
You have to know for yourself what CBD is and how it complements yoga. Thankfully, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to nudge you in the right direction:
How Are Yoga and CBD Alike?
With the enormous rise in yoga’s popularity, the research on the practice’s medical benefits is also growing. One study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine revealed that yoga helped reduce the stress anxiety and, overall quality of life in individuals. Another study reported that yoga proved helpful in alleviating chronic pain.
Surprisingly, many people who have taken CBD have also reported similar effects. And while CBD science is still in its infancy due to legal stumbling blocks, there are preliminary studies that paint a promising picture.
In 2010, researchers administered an oral dose of CBD to patients living with a social anxiety disorder and tested their neurological activity through parametric mapping. The subjects experienced a marked decrease in overall anxiety levels and a significant improvement in brain activity associated with motivation, tolerance, and emotions.
One 2013 study demonstrated how CBD is effective in overcoming neuropathic pain in advanced cancer patients. Not only did CBD help patients manage cancer-associated chronic pain, but also did so without any adverse side effects, such as forgetfulness and nausea.
Some people ask the question: how can one compound accomplish this? Well, CBD isn’t your ordinary compound. It interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors in the human body — CB1 and CB2 — that regulate a whole host of functions, from mood and inflammation to appetite. Because of this mechanism, the compound also acts as an antioxidant. It can repair cells damaged by oxidative stress.
Like yoga, CBD calms the body down and relieves anxiety. But, we still need more conclusive results before we can say something concrete.
Benefits of Combining CBD with Yoga
So what happens if you mix the two — yoga and CBD? According to the founder of Mandal Yoga Center, Jolie Parcher, the question isn’t what happens, but what doesn’t.
According to Jolie, the core mission of yoga is to strengthen, invigorate, and stabilize our lives. In line with this objective, CBD is a perfect partner for yoga. It helps to silence that “drunken monkey mind” so that you can focus on things that deserve your attention.
Some experts also laud CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. The compound’s ability to relieve aches and pains powers your yoga sessions. You enjoy improved flexibility, meaning you’re able to move much more freely along the three planes of dimension. This keeps your mind more relaxed and rejuvenated throughout your yoga routine.
CBD is especially helpful for those living with pre-existing conditions who want to partake in yoga. For instance, if you want to do yoga, but arthritis aches and pains are holding you back, then CBD can help you with that.
Not only is it great for managing chronic pain, but some studies show that it is also more effective than traditional painkillers, such as morphine.
And the best part is that, with CBD, you don’t have to worry about substance abuse. You can get addicted to medications and opioid treatments, but cannabidiol has an excellent safety profile and exhibits no potential for substance abuse whatsoever.
CBD helps you keep control of your anxiety so that you can fully immerse in the yoga practice. That’s why yoga and CBD go hand in hand. You should try out their combo if you’re underperforming and think you can do a lot better.
A Typical CBD and Yoga Session
Many yoga classes are designed to couple CBD with yoga. The chief mission of CBD in these sessions is to awaken the mind and promote awareness to help individuals focused during yoga practice.
The students take CBD drops and practice meditation for a few minutes. Then, they are given essential oils to stimulate their sense of smell and mind activity. This follows a smooth transition into pranayama or breathwork, after which students ease into different yoga postures.
Unlike your traditional yoga workouts, this class is aimed at harnessing the human mind’s capacity to relax and focus. The experience of being in the moment — being one mind, spirit, body and senses — is vital to the process.
And once you master this, it imparts in you unprecedented empathy and regard for others and yourself. The normal threshold for self-care is replaced by something stronger, more transcendent.
Who Shouldn’t Use CBD During Yoga?
Unfortunately, there’s not enough evidence to suggest that CBD is 100% safe for everyone. Therefore, you must practice caution. You must know CBD’s side effects. While the compound isn’t thought to cause any serious side effects, high doses may result in dry mouth and appetite suppression.
Additionally, if you’re worried you’re going to fail a drug test, then there’s a concern, too. Your best bet is to buy CBD sourced from hemp. Hemp contains only trace amounts of the psychoactive THC, which most employers test for. Make sure the CBD product you’re buying has less than .3% of THC. This is the legal limit that you must abide by. It’s best advised to consult a holistic doctor before consuming or purchasing CBD.
