Can CBD Help Energy and Focus?

Cannabidiol (CBD) use is on the rise, with many people trying it for a variety of reasons.

Some people take CBD for energy and focus, but can it really help? Here’s what you need to know about using CBD for concentration and energy.

Many factors can affect our energy and concentration, including:

• chronic conditions
• lack of sleep
• stress
• diet

At present, there’s very little evidence that suggests CBD could improve energy and focus.

Research from 2014 did note that CBD might promote wakefulness for some people, although the researchers add that further research should be conducted.

However, there’s promising research that suggests CBD can improve other issues that may affect your energy levels and ability to concentrate.

CBD for anxiety and stress symptoms

Anxiety disorders might cause you to feel fatigued and have difficulty concentrating.

CBD might reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a small 2019 study. Other research indicates it may also help with social anxiety disorders. So, if PTSD symptoms, social anxiety, or both cause you to lose focus and feel fatigued, CBD might help.

CBD for sleep issues

Another example is sleep. If you’re experiencing sleep issues, you might feel tired and lack focus the next day.

CBD might be able to help with certain sleep disorders and help you get a good night’s sleep. This can help you feel energetic and focused more often.

CBD for pain

CBD might also help with pain, which can affect your concentration and cause fatigue.

It’s important to note that CBD hasn’t been definitively proven to “cure” any of the above conditions. More research is needed.

For this article, we chose a range of CBD products that might be able to help with sleep issues, pain, and anxiety, all of which might hinder your ability to feel energized and focused.

We chose CBD products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Each product in this article:

• is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
• is made by a company that discloses the source of their hemp
• contains no more than 0.3% THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
• passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA

We also considered:

• company certifications and manufacturing processes
• product potency
• overall ingredients
• indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
  • customer reviews
  • whether the company has been subject to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter
  • whether the company makes any unsupported health claims

While shopping for CBD products, you might notice some of the following terms. Here’s what they mean:

• Terpenes are compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants that give them a flavor and aroma. It’s believed that terpenes might be able to enhance the benefits of CBD.
• CBD isolate is pure CBD, with no other cannabinoids or terpenes included in the product.
• Broad-spectrum CBD contains most cannabinoids, but some are purposefully removed (usually tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — the cannabinoid that produces the “high” effect). It often contains terpenes and other cannabinoids, like cannabigerol (CBG) or cannabinol (CBN).
• Full-spectrum CBD contains all cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including THC. It usually contains terpenes, too. If the product is made from hemp and is federally legal, it should contain less than 0.3% THC.

Shopping for CBD products can be overwhelming, but it’s important to read a CBD product label before making a purchase. This will help you figure out whether you’re buying high quality CBD.

The FDA doesn’t test CBD products for quality, which means there are many low quality products out there.

Check the packaging

The packaging must specify that it contains CBD (or it might use the full word cannabidiol). If the ingredients list only includes hemp or hempseed oil, it probably doesn’t contain CBD at all. CBD is only found in the stalks, stems, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant. It isn’t found in the seeds.

Look for lab-tested

CBD products must be tested by an independent and compliant lab. The lab results — also known as a certificate of analysis, or COA — are usually available on the company’s website.

Some companies provide a QR code on the packaging that leads to a COA. The COA should ideally be recent and dated within the past year.

COAs are important because they confirm the contents of the product. A COA should specify the amount of CBD in the product. COAs often test for other cannabinoids and terpenes as well as harmful toxins like molds and traces of pesticide.

Consider the extra ingredients

CBD oils use carrier oils like:

• MCT oil
• hempseed oil
• grapeseed oil

They sometimes use flavorings too.

CBD edibles and topicals can contain numerous ingredients. Pay attention to these ingredients in case of allergies.

Marketing claims

CBD companies might also make other claims about their products. However, it’s difficult to verify these claims.

For example, some companies claim that their products are created from organic and U.S.-grown hemp. However, just because the product was grown using organic farming methods doesn’t mean it’s certified organic. Check the USDA’s Organic Integrity Database to figure out if a product is truly certified organic.

Some companies might label their items as vegan. CBD items seldom contain animal products, although some gummies contain gelatin, and edibles may contain eggs and dairy.

However, if you’re vegan, it’s a good idea to look for the “vegan” label for peace of mind.

When it comes to CBD dosage, it’s a good idea to start with a small amount every day. After a while, reassess how you feel. If you think you need a higher dosage, increase it gradually.

It might be a good idea to track your dosage and your symptoms. You can do so in a paper journal or a notes app on your phone.

When in doubt, speak with a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about CBD. They might be able to advise you on how much CBD to take.

Research suggests that CBD is safe for human consumption. There are a handful of potential side effects, though, including:

• fatigue
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite
• changes in weight

Some research suggests that consuming CBD with high fat meals could drastically increase CBD blood concentrations. This can increase your chances of experiencing side effects.

CBD might interact with certain medications. If you’re using a medication that carries a grapefruit warning, avoid taking CBD without a healthcare professional’s approval. This is because CBD and grapefruit change the way the liver metabolizes certain substances.

To be on the safe side, it’s always best to talk with a healthcare professional before using CBD, regardless of whether you’re taking any medications or supplements.

There are many other ways to build stamina, boost energy, and increase focus.

Some natural ways to increase your energy include:

• ensuring you get plenty of quality sleep
• eating a nutritious, balanced diet
• exercising regularly
• avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use
• drinking enough water
• reducing stress where possible
• taking supplements as directed by a doctor

If you’re constantly dealing with fatigue and concentration, it might be a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional. They could help pinpoint the cause and talk about remedies.

Can CBD help with energy?

Probably not. However, if your energy levels are low because of something like chronic pain or sleep issues, CBD may be able to help.

How does CBD affect mood?

CBD may help with certain mental health conditions like social anxiety. It may also help with depression.

Can CBD improve focus?

Probably not — unless CBD already helps alleviate symptoms you experience from a chronic condition that also often affects your focus.

Should you take CBD in the morning or at night?

This depends on why you’re taking it. Do you need help relaxing and falling asleep? Then it’s best to take it at night. Need help managing pain levels throughout your day? You might find it more useful to use it in the daytime.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.