Last updated on 25 May 2022
First, let us attempt to completely understand what focus is. Paying particular attention to a specific task at a given point in time, the center of interest or activity, or simply an engrossed state of mind in a given task, etc, are some of the general synonyms of the word focus. But why do we need focus and how much do we need, how do retain focus for longer duration are the key questions that would help us understand the importance of staying focused.
Focus is the arch of the entrance that leads to the train of thoughts, rationale, mindfulness, questioning and solving. Therefore the focus is most important to each one of us, as it gives us the ability to think. Focusing effectively leads to effective thinking.
But it is difficult to maintain a stable level of focus, which occurs due to several reasons, some of which could be health conditions, poor sleep patterns, unhealthy or wrong diet, emotional stress, hormonal changes, chronic pain, etc. This has an immediate and opposite effect on reduced focus levels or deteriorated thinking quality.
Why Can’t You focus?
From full-on conditions like ADD or ADHD, depression, or anxiety, to unavoidable daily distractions, there could be many reasons why you find yourself unable to focus. Whether it’s your job, school, or family, your ability to focus will have an impact on the quality of your life.
CBD and Focus
CBD is helping people around the world to improve their focus! It may seem a bit strange considering the stigma on cannabis and cannabis users, as they are usually depicted as very forgetful, clumsy, lazy and unmotivated. This may be what someone looks like after consuming too much THC, but this could not be further from the truth when it comes to CBD. The truth is that CBD has shown the ability to help people concentrate.
Just to be clear, CBD is different from the chemical most associated with cannabis, THC. It doesn’t give the psychotropic effects that THC does, it just has the valuable healing properties from the plant. CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and regulates the entire body functions.
It’s no wonder this plant has so many incredible benefits!
CBD, Learning, Attention, and Memory
CBD positively affects learning1. Previous research conducted to determine whether CBD affects memory concluded that THC and CBD have two opposing effects2. The test was done to clarify the effect of the two cannabis compounds on acute memory. CBD opposed the psychotropic effects of THC which gets someone high. Those placed on high THC showed signs of memory impairment while those on high CBD showed reversal effects of THC. Also, in another study related to animals, CBD was introduced to an Alzheimer mouse model with memory deficits. CBD used its therapeutic power to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s.
ADHD/ADD
Some people can try to sleep their best, eat as healthy as they can, exercise and everything on the list, but still, find themselves unable to focus. If you have a strong inability to concentrate no matter how hard you try, you may be suffering from ADD or ADHD. In the past, it was thought that ADHD affects only children or adolescents, but it’s not true. If not treated, ADHD can be found in adults and it can be very problematic for day to day life.
ADD and ADHD is disorders that make it more difficult for individuals to concentrate. The mind races and the sufferer may feel restless. Some examples are wiggling limbs all day, and it can be exhausting. Many people turn to prescription medications such as Adderall or Ritalin to help focus, but they may find themselves addicted or the pills start losing their effect. That is why many people are turning to cbd to treat ADHD.
How Can CBD Help With ADD/ADHD
One of the most iconic symptoms of ADHD is hyperactivity. Studies have shown that CBD can reduce hyperactivity. Since CBD regulates the endocannabinoid system, it also helps cognitive functions. Both ADD and ADHD are characterized by low levels of dopamine. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that controls the brain’s cognitive abilities such as memory, attention levels, and mood. Also, low levels of this chemical cause a manifestation of attention deficit disorder.
The properties of cbd to improve the brain’s cognitive processes have made it possible for finding a way for treating conditions other than Attention Deficit Disorder. It can relieve anxiety, pain, and depression among other neurological problems. For Instance, If you have a presentation you have to give in five minutes and you have anxiety about public speaking, you can try CBD e-liquids, they infuse into your blood in seconds. If you lack overall concentration throughout the day, CBD capsules will metabolize and spread in your system, giving you improved focus throughout the day. CBD can be consumed in various ways such as cbd oil, cbd capsules, cbd crystals, vapes, cbd e-liquid, cbd gum, etc that can help stop the distractions you can’t help.
Related article: CBD for ADD and ADHD
Coping in a World Full Of Distractions
If your phone is receiving 100 notifications while you are trying to write an email for work with the TV on in the background, a simple task can become a challenging one. Sometimes, we tend to overestimate our ability to multitask. In this modern age, with smartphones and social media, the world is pulling our attention into a hundred directions at the same time.
It’s no surprise that one of the best things to do when you can’t concentrate is to change your surroundings and your habits. Put your phone on mute or don’t have it around you at all when you have to write a big paper. You will check it every time it goes off, even if you don’t immediately respond. You don’t realize how that in a split second where you change your focus that can throw off the whole show. Once the focus is thrown off, you have to conquer your concentration all over again. CBD can do a lot for our health, but it cannot take distractions out of your day.
The most tried and tested, effective and eyes closed simple way to ingest cbd is through cbd oil. Take a few drops of oil using a dropper and place it under the tongue. In a few minutes, you will feel that the oil has given you a quick fix by balancing Cortisol levels and that the cbd in the oil has calmed the stress hormone.
Also, as mentioned earlier, the endocannabinoids in the plant work with the endocannabinoid system in the body by easing the flow of Serotonin to the brain. This, in turn, coordinates with those receptors by mildly sedating them, which have caused anxiety, sleep, or attention disorders.
Conclusion
To sum it all, do not get panicky when you come across certain medical terms that may be new to you, and unconsciously you tend to start matching and relating all symptoms with you. This is not the intention of this article. Please give it some time to understand yourself, observe your surroundings, the food that you eat, lifestyle, etc, and slowly begin to incorporate cbd oil into your daily diet as a supplement. Starting with small quantities would gradually improve your confidence with cbd and cbd could bring to your immense overall health benefits. There is a growing community of people who have become passionate cbd influencers by showing to the world their improved health and happier lifestyles with the help of CBD.
References
- Lawn, Will, et al. “Acute and chronic effects of cannabinoids on effort-related decision-making and reward learning: an evaluation of the cannabis ‘amotivational’hypotheses.” Psychopharmacology 233.19-20 (2016): 3537-3552. [↩]
- Schoeler, Tabea, and Sagnik Bhattacharyya. “The effect of cannabis use on memory function: an update.” Substance abuse and rehabilitation 4 (2013): 11 [↩]
Author
With close to two decades of successful stint in the Media industry, I felt I was surely missing a piece in my life puzzle. I took a break and set out to seek the purpose of my life. I travelled, lived out of a suitcase, let things flow into life without resisting, and after five challenging years, I found my rhythm. I love to write about Cannabis and Health and try my best to simplify esoteric concepts into simple ideas for life.
