Nothing good comes from chronic tension in the muscles, and yet, many people suffering from tense muscles don’t even realize they do. Tension in the body can result from several things, but the most common culprits are poor posture, overusing specific muscles, and stress. Working out excessively can also cause tension in the muscles.
The signs of tense muscles are clear once you notice your body. The most common symptoms include:
- A stiff neck and tight shoulders.
- Headaches (especially migraines).
- An overall ache in the body.
You may also notice that you grind your teeth or keep your jaw clenched regularly, and your legs hold tension even when you are sitting down.
Going for a regular massage, stretching exercises, and warm baths or showers can help you release tension. However, when the pain is too much to bear, consider a natural compound making waves in the health industry. Here’s what you should know about how CBD can help with migraine headaches and how it can relax tense muscles.
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The remarkable CBD
CBD is a natural compound originating from the Cannabis Sativa plant species. What makes CBD stand out from other cannabinoids is its lack of THC. The latter is another cannabinoid found in high quantities in marijuana. Unlike the latter, hemp-derived CBD has less than 0.3 percent THC in it, so when you take this natural compound, there is no risk of becoming high, overdosing, or becoming more anxious.
Preliminary studies on CBD show the various health benefits of taking this natural compound. From alleviating anxiety to helping people with diabetes, decreasing the risk of heart disease, and helping to prevent the onset of cancer, early data show favorable signs of taking CBD. It is no wonder that the CBD industry is now a billion-dollar trade, and brands are striving to find new ways of infusing CBD into different products.
From CBD gumies online oil to tinctures, CBD-infused serums, and edibles, the cannabis industry has come a long way from the days of people purchasing shady weed in back alleys. These days, users can buy CBD products safely to address their physical and mental health issues, including muscle tension.
How can CBD help tense muscles?
Researchers have yet to understand CBD’s effects on the body entirely, but to date, they know that this natural compound works on the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a molecular system that manages critical functions in the body, such as temperature, mood, appetite, and pain. It uses chemical messengers in the body known as receptors to implement change and keep the body in a constant state of homeostasis—optimal balance.
Chemical messengers coming from the central nervous system and heading for the muscle cause it to contract. When this happens, the muscle needs a fresh supply of endocannabinoids originating from the ECS to counteract the invasion of the chemicals in the muscle. CBD can help offset the work of the chemical messengers by encouraging the release of certain cannabinoids produced naturally by the body, such as anandamide and 2-AG. These two can send messages in the body to inform the presynaptic cells when the body has had enough of a chemical messenger.
Besides its effects on chemical messengers, CBD plays a role in the neurotransmitter known as the ‘happy chemical.’ Researchers have noted how this cannabinoid has similar properties to those of antidepressants. CBD can encourage the release of serotonin—the neurotransmitter that acts as a natural mood stabilizer. CBD’s effect on the GABA levels in the brain also helps in urging users to react to situations with a calmer demeanour. An inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA blocks specific brain signals and slows down activity in the nervous system, resulting in a calming effect.
Addressing the pain caused by the tension is essential to promote relaxation as tension causes pain, leading to more tension. Breaking this cyclical pattern with CBD is one way you can go about it. This natural compound has anti-inflammatory properties, and it is known as being effective in managing pain, even the chronic kind caused by disorders such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
How to use CBD safely
CBD can provide life-changing effects, but it should not be the only solution to your problem. If you suffer from chronic tension and your body is constantly stiff, you must take a minute to understand what is causing such tension. You might need to move more or visit your local massage parlor more often. You can head to a yoga class, walk or meditate to ease your muscles.
Sometimes, tension can be caused by something more profound, and you may need to take a deeper look at your life to understand what’s happening. Past trauma, chronic stress and anxiety, work, and toxic relationships can cause you to suffer from tense muscles. You must find a solution, but when you can’t, seek the help of a trusted professional who can guide you into a serener inner state and a more relaxed demeanor.
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