Holiday stress is a special kind of stress, because not only does it bring joy, but for others the burn out of the holidays can make depression and anxiety worse. But why do you feel such a strong burn out after the Holiday’s?
Holiday stress can be caused from high expectations of delivering the perfect gift, visiting family and friends, all the social commitments, the chaos in traffic and shopping centres. It’s enough to trigger your body’s internal regulation systems, specifically your endocrine system.
During high stress periods your body triggers what we call “the fight or flight stress response”. Your body automatically sends signals to your adrenal glands, these glands sit on top of your kidneys. When these are triggered your body releases chemicals like adrenaline and noradrenaline, and in turn can cause increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.
What happens when we are exposed to that “fight or flight” feeling for too long?
What if it is happening during everyday interactions? Such as, during loud noises, rush hour, or simply just people or places who trigger it.
What happens if you cannot control it, and what can you do to help?
What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is the stress hormone released in the later part of the body’s stress response. This happens when something suddenly triggers our adrenal glands to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. When these hormones begin to deplete, and the stress is needed longer, your body will begin to release cortisol. It can hinder functions that are not as useful in a fight-or-flight situation – this is why people say they feel sick when they are stressed or have “stress poops”.
Cortisol levels, if not well controlled can play a major contributing factor in burn out and can disrupt many processes in both mental and physical health. Generally, higher cortisol levels can link to chronic psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and sometimes even psychosis. Chronic cortisol levels can present itself as unexplained weight gain in the abdominal area, sensitivity to noises and light, frequent headaches, sleeping disruptions, memory issues, irritability, sudden changes in emotions (uncontrollable crying, laughing, anger, etc.). These are not the things we want to experience during the “most wonderful time of the year”.
How does my Endocannabinoid System fit into this?
Endocannabinoid receptors have been found in all major glands of the endocrine system, and is a strong modulator of the Stress Response and the Relaxation Response. It is important it works properly and is provided with adequate endocannabinoids, so the body can return to a non-stress level. Your endocannabinoid system directly inhibits stress-associated processes such as fear, anxiety, depression, inflammation, insomnia, and appetite.
Certain cannabinoids can inhibit the release of adrenaline. Various studies show THC and CBD produce a variety of different, and even opposing effects on the central functions related to stress coping. THC can be helpful, but chemically speaking within your body, is only a partial agonist compared to CBD. In some cases THC can increase the corticosteroids (norepinephrine/epinephrine) this can potentially worsen symptoms. Research surrounding control of the cortisone levels and cannabinoids have strong demonstration it is heavily linked to CBD (cannabidiol) intake.
How can CBD help me?
CBD is easily accessible both medically and recreationally, although you can find access to higher potencies with a cannabis prescription. Stress untreated is a high risk for psychosis, controlling your stress levels this holiday season are important for your mental and physical health. CBD has been heavily researched for its anxiolytic effects, and in recent years for stress. In a 2021 study, 120 participants who experienced emotional exhaustion and burn out symptoms were provided 300mgs of CBD isolate for 28 days. 14 days into the study participants began demonstrating a 95% improvement in symptoms and started undergoing significantly lower Cortisol levels.
When CBD is applied topically or consumed it interacts with the already occurring cannabinoid receptors throughout your body, including the ones in your adrenal glands, which is secreting the cortisol. CBD may be able to influence the secretion level of these glands. There have been several controlled research trials of CBD and its links as a stress preventative.
Give yourself the gift of self-care. There is a wide variety of CBD products availiable on the Canadian market, but as anything we ingest can come with interactions both with medication and medical conditions. It is recommended you speak with your medical team prior to ingesting CBD to ensure you experience no adverse effects.
Keep calm this Holiday season and have yourself a Merry CBD Christmas!