Get A Spring In Your Step: Find Your Energy With CBD Mints
Reading time – 16 minutes
Many factors can cause energy levels to drop, and some people can go on for years feeling constantly tired. Persistent conditions, shortage of sleep, stress, and diet can all influence our energy levels. It can get to a stage when you get tired of feeling tired and want to try a new way to get your energy back.
There have been many reports of CBD supporting people with their overall wellness. It could be that when you invest in a healthy lifestyle, you are more likely to practice a healthier routine. Some have found CBD has been a practical addition to support them with areas that cause depleted energy levels.
If you are new to CBD (otherwise known as cannabidiol), it is a natural compound found in hemp plants. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the infamous compound known for causing the high associated with marijuana, CBD is extracted from hemp plants which are very low in THC and will not cause any intoxicating effects. CBD is also legal in the UK and is used to support a healthy lifestyle.
CBD mints are made by blending hemp extract with hard-mint confectionery ingredients to create a pre-dosed product. Many people enjoy CBD mints, as they can also freshen their breath and hide the natural hemp flavour, which is not always that enjoyable. CBD mints are great at masking the hempy taste of pure CBD for those who are more sensitive to it, allowing them to enjoy the potential benefits of CBD mints.
With so many people struggling with low energy levels, a healthy way to help give us a boost is much-needed. When the going gets tough, it is often common for us to turn to less than healthy energy sources, such as high-sugar drinks and caffeine. Although these do increase energy, it is typically short-lived and can come with some unfavourable side effects. CBD mints may just be what's needed to aid a healthy approach to manage energy balance.
CBD Mints May Support Energy
There are many ways CBD may impact energy levels, both directly and indirectly. The studies conducted so far have indicated a positive link between CBD and mood-related neurochemicals in the brain. An article published in 2017 by Frontiers in Pharmacology suggests that CBD increases metabolism activity. Metabolism may play a part in our energy levels, as a slow metabolism is often associated with low stamina.
The research is lacking to support CBD as being an active cause of improved energy. However, there is some research indicating that it could be a valuable addition to help promote wakefulness. A 2014 review found that, unlike its fellow cannabinoid, THC, which can cause sleepiness, CBD has opposing properties and has potential effects as a wake-promoting compound.
On the other hand, CBD may also help promote sleep. This potential sleep aid could indirectly impact energy throughout the day. If you are able to adopt a restful sleep pattern each night, you are more likely to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. It can be a little confusing when you hear people say CBD may be suitable for both energy and sleep, but they do go hand in hand. The CBD compound has the potential to support a balance (more scientifically known as homeostasis) that increases energy and promotes more restful sleep at night.
From regulating neurochemicals to promoting full-body balance, there is still a lot to learn about the impact of CBD on energy levels. Purported reports currently support the potential energy-enhancing properties of CBD. There is a theory that, unlike caffeine, which can give a boost in energy, CBD may play a part in regulating your sleep-wake cycle. If this is the case, CBD could potentially help promote a night of restful sleep and support balanced energy levels throughout the day.
For some people, the feelings of fatigue may be connected to a lack of mental and emotional clarity, rather than a lack of energy. In these cases, an improved mood and focus can eliminate feelings of fatigue. CBD could play a role in supporting a positive mood and improving focus.
The British Journal of Pharmacology published a paper in 2010 which found CBD may help our energy levels on a more chemical level. It was found CBD may be able to promote dopamine by possibly stimulating the adenosine receptor. Dopamine affects our natural processes such as motor control, reward, motivation, and cognition. CBD may also encourage glutamate, which affects memory and learning production.
CBD has the potential to enhance energy levels, and with so many types of CBD products available, it can be a positive addition to pretty much any lifestyle. Fast becoming one of the most popular ways to get a daily dose is via CBD mints. Some people prefer CBD mints over other options as they have excellent bioavailability and taste good.
Common Energy-Stealers
If you live a relatively healthy life, pretty cheerful, and manage a decent night's sleep, you may be wondering what is causing your fatigue. Here are some of the most common reported energy zappers reported by the UK National Health Service (NHS):
- Chilling out too much – If you enjoy a good chill out session, whether that be in front of the television, computer, or mobile phone, sitting in one position for long periods of time can drain your energy. Your body naturally connects this stillness with going to sleep.
Tip: It is crucial to have some relaxation time, and some people find it the perfect moment to enjoy a CBD mint. But when you next plan a long couch session, try to break it up with a bit of movement. Do some gentle stretches, get up and walk around away from your sofa or desk. Frequent little breaks will help keep you alert.
- Poor posture –This is not an obvious energy-sucker, but it takes a lot of effort to keep our bodies upright. When we practice lousy posture, the spine can be put out of alignment through hunching forwards, slumping in seats, and cradling over phones or laptops. The more out of balance the spine is, the more the muscles have to work to compensate.
Tip: Whatever you are doing, whether you are moving around, sitting, or standing still, it is best to try and make sure that your head is in line with your body. It is common for people who are not aware of their posture practice to stick their heads out. The aim should be for your ears to be directly over your shoulders.
- Crash diets –Many of us are familiar with the energy drain during a change in diet. Losing excess weight will increase overall energy in the long term, but going on a crash diet is not the best way to go about getting to a healthy weight. Adopting a very low-calorie diet, especially ones that give you 850 calories (or less) per day, will most likely end up with you feeling even more tired than you were before, and can cause nutritional deficiencies.
Tip: Lose weight the healthy way. Eat balanced meals, cut out junk and sugary foods, and reduce your portion size. If you are losing 1lb to 2lb a week, this is a good indication of a safe weight loss journey. CBD has been anecdotally observed to support a healthy lifestyle, so adding CBD mints to your routine could give you a little push in adopting good eating habits, as well as being a sweet treat.
- Sugary breakfast cereals – Many of us inadvertently eat cereals that are high in sugar content. Just because the packaging states "whole grain" or "fortified with vitamins and minerals" does not mean there is no or reduced sugar in there. Many of these sugary breakfast cereals will give you a quick surge of energy as your blood sugar levels peak, but a couple of hours later, your sugar levels will slump just as quickly. This results in an unpleasant lethargic feeling as you crash and run out of energy.
Tip:Start your day by eating a breakfast that is based on unrefined starch, such as homemade porridge with semi-skimmed milk and chopped banana, or wholemeal cereal topped with sliced fresh or dried fruit. This kind of meal will provide a steady release of energy all morning long, with all the sweetness you need coming from the fruit of your choice. Opt for a breakfast that is based on unrefined starch and low in salt and sugar.
- Constant worrying and stress - If you're fretting about something all day long, it results in your heart rate and blood pressure rising. Your muscles can also tighten, leading to fatigue and aches. Constant stress and worrying can be very damaging to your body, both physically and psychologically, so finding coping mechanisms is essential before it leads to complete exhaustion.
Tip: Try to set some time aside to focus on yourself and concentrate on your personal worries. Think about some positive solutions, then put the worries out of your mind. This is a skill that takes a lot of practice, but a healthy mindset can be achieved with time. CBD can come into use when wanting to focus. For convenience and time saving, try taking a CBD mint and focus on what is causing stress in your life, and make a practical plan to help reduce the worry.
- Exercising too much –This is not something everyone needs to consider, as often it is a struggle to put time aside for exercise. Still, for those who exercise excessively, it can lead to a drop in healthy energy levels. Regular exercise is good for you, and should be included in all ways of life, but working out intensively every day can also cause harm if you do it excessively or improperly. This is particularly relevant if you are a beginner or are trying to get back in shape. Doing too much too quickly can drain your energy, putting you off regular exercise.
Tip:Take a day off between strenuous exercise sessions. However, it is best not to leave it more than 2 or 3 days between sessions, as you might fall out of the regular exercise habit. Some professional athletes incorporate CBD into their training routine as it has been found to support post-exercise recovery.
- Energy drinks – Many people regularly turn to energy drinks for a quick boost, especially if they have skipped breakfast. The majority of these energy drinks are not good for our health. They contain high amounts of caffeine and tend to have a lot of sugar in them. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has noted that a small 250ml can have around 80mg of caffeine in it, which is similar to 3 cans of cola, or a whole cup of instant coffee. Some of the smaller "energy shots" on the market can contain up to 160mg of caffeine in a 60ml bottle.
These energy drinks will undoubtedly give you a temporary energy boost when you feel you most need them, but this will be short-lived and potentially lead to other problems. If you consume too much caffeine, it can affect your mood, making you irritable, feeling wound up, disrupting your sleep, and increasing blood pressure.
Tip: When you're feeling a dip in energy, opt for drinking plain water instead. It is a much better choice, particularly if you are a bit dehydrated. Making sure you stay hydrated can help maintain your energy levels by keeping your muscles energised. Dehydration can actually manifest as fatigue or low energy, so staying hydrated will help prevent that. Even slight dehydration can affect your energy level, mood, and ability to think clearly.
- Winter days –If you live in warmer climates, consider yourself lucky. The rest of us can start to feel tired and sluggish during the cold winter months. As the days draw in, your sleep and waking cycles can become disrupted. Less sunlight exposure means your brain produces more of the hormone known as melatonin, which makes you sleepy.
Tip: As appealing as it may be to stay cosy and warm indoors, getting outdoors and into natural daylight as much as possible during the winter is essential for energy levels and positive mental health. Doing daily exercises, such as a brisk walk or park run, will do wonders for your energy levels. Eating the right foods can bring along certain energy benefits too. Include starchy foods, like wholegrain bread, pasta, and potatoes, to your diet. These types of starchy foods provide you with a slow and steady release of energy throughout the day.
CBD Mints and the Endocannabinoid System
To be able to understand how CBD mints may help support your energy levels, it is worth having a basic understanding of how CBD may interact with the human body. For that, we need to look at the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It is a very complex system that scientists are still wrapping their heads around, but don't skip this section! The basics are all you need when it comes to grasping the fundamentals of CBD.
The endocannabinoid system was discovered relatively recently, and is understood to play a vital role in our bodies. It is tasked with maintaining homeostasis, the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical regulations that keep your body functioning. Homeostasis is the optimal functioning condition for our bodies, and includes many variables. For example, our energy levels are kept within certain pre-set limits (known as a homeostatic range).
The endocannabinoid system's goal is to maintain homeostasis, resulting in retaining a stable internal environment, irrespective of the external factors. Try to think of the ECS as a signalling system of the body. It comprises enzymes, endocannabinoids, and receptors, all working in tandem with our various physiological systems.
There is a theory that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system resulting in supporting a healthy body. The human body does, in fact, already have its own naturally-produced cannabinoids known as endocannabinoids. Still, CBD could potentially give them a much-needed push, especially when our energy levels are low.
Our endocannabinoids are often having to work overtime to keep up with our busy modern lifestyles, and may need a little help when our energy levels are depleted. When cannabidiol enters the body, it may interact with the endocannabinoid system. It does this by the compound theoretically activating any of the two cannabinoid receptors found throughout the endocannabinoid system: CB1 and CB2.
Cannabidiol has the potential to help sustain an ideal level of natural balance or homeostasis, which the endocannabinoid system works so hard in keeping. Without the proper balance, many of the biological processes connected to the endocannabinoid system become unbalanced. This can lead to low energy levels, and other health problems. With this in mind, it may be worth giving CBD mints a try, as they may help you maintain homeostasis and, thus, attain a balance of bodily processes and energy flow.
How To You May Use CBD Mints For Energy
CBD mints can be a fantastic addition to a healthy lifestyle. They have many advantages over other forms of CBD, as they are easy to use and have excellent bioavailability. As CBD mints are chewable and dissolve quickly in your mouth, they only take around 10 to 15 minutes to enter your system. This is much quicker than other edible CBD products, such as gummies or capsules. These types of CBD edibles need to travel through your digestive system, so it takes longer for the CBD to be absorbed into your bloodstream and potentially take effect.
Besides the advantage of CBD mints reaching your bloodstream at a fast rate, managing your dose with mints is also much more straightforward than using CBD tinctures and CBD oil droppers. As with all CBD products, it is best to start with a low amount and work your way up until you achieve the desired results. Whilst you are working out your personal CBD dosage, record the amount and effects in your Wellness Journal each time you take a CBD mint so you can track the outcomes.
If you are out and about a lot, opting for CBD mints is a bonus as they are very discrete. Unlike CBD oil in a dropper, you do not have to hold the substance under your tongue for a minute. CBD mints are tiny, easily absorbed, and the containers are easy to carry around with you. You can simply pop one in your mouth at any time of the day without obviously taking a dose of CBD.
Shopping For CBD Mints
When shopping for CBD mints, make sure you are buying from a reputable seller. If the CBD product makes claims that have no backing in research, they are most likely to be untrue. Also, look out for third party lab test results. A compliant independent laboratory should test all CBD products. The lab results (also known as a certificate of analysis, or COA) are usually available on the CBD seller's website.
The lab test results are particularly significant, as they will confirm the contents of the product. The COA should clearly state the amount of CBD in the product, and any other cannabinoids, terpenes, and harmful toxins, such as pesticides and moulds. You really don't want to be sucking on a CBD mint containing any nasty surprises. Amphora only uses the highest quality ingredients, and all our products are tested thoroughly, so you know you in safe hands when using our products.
CBD is legal in the UK, but as it is a compound extracted from a controlled plant, there are specific criteria worth knowing. The CBD infused product must not contain more than 0.2% of THC in any container. This means that, whether you are buying a tin of 60 mints or 120 mints, it must not have more than 0.2% THC content. If you have any concerns about THC, it may be best to source CBD mints with zero THC content.
The Takeaway
CBD infused mints are not the magic source of infinite energy, but they could help support your goal of having a healthier energy balance. We may not always feel positive and able to jump out the door to tackle the day's challenges. However, adopting smart lifestyle choices will help build a solid foundation to improve energy levels and an upbeat mindset.
If CBD mints are included with a balanced diet, daily exercise, and plenty of time outdoors, it could do its part in supporting our delicate state of internal balance. Take some time to analyse why you may be feeling more tired than usual, and consider making some lifestyle changes. It will take some time and effort to potentially take effect, but get out there and discover your lost energy with CBD mints.
Written by | Infused Amphora Team
The Infused Amphora Team is dedicated to creating resources to educate and engage consumers on the growing evidence of CBD benefits and the extensive health and wellness properties of CBD Oil.
Contributor | Angus Taylor CEO
Infused Amphora “Learn” is intended for informational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.