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My zoom call is on mute as I wait for the sound of children screaming in the background to subside. The cup of coffee that I have microwaved for the 3rd time this morning but keep misplacing is getting cold again, somewhere. The stiffness in my neck from carrying my 30lb toddler around hasn’t dissipated thanks to another poor night of sleep. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Modern-day parents were already stretched thin before the pandemic, but the combination of working from home, homeschooling, and heightened anxiety about getting sick (along with many other challenges) have caused increasing numbers of parents to burnout, “a condition in which you’re so exhausted that you feel you have nothing left to give”.
Many of our self-care coping mechanisms were thrown out the window in 2020, from exercising at the gym to just getting a drink with friends. It’s no surprise that American families have experienced alarming rates of parental burnout thanks to the pandemic. And that burnout can lead to more significant health problems such as depression, hormonal imbalances, lower sex drive, and even heart disease or diabetes.
But the modern parent is nothing if not resourceful, and the pandemic has forced us to adapt in interesting ways. One surprising tool that is rapidly increasing in popularity is CBD. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past two years (to be honest, I wouldn’t blame you if you have!), you’ve probably heard of CBD. In fact, according to one survey, there’s a 1 in 3 chance you’ve tried CBD yourself. But there’s a lot of mystery and misconception around CBD, and just talking about it remains a big taboo for many parents. So what exactly is CBD? How can it help you as a parent? And are there any risks involved?
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring compound of the cannabis plant known as a cannabinoid. You might be more familiar with another cannabinoid found in cannabis: THC. THC is responsible for the psychotropic, or “high,” feeling people get when they smoke or otherwise consume cannabis products. Unfortunately, due to its association with recreational drug use, THC has stigmatized cannabis and given it a bad name, mainly that of a “drug.” CBD and many of the other cannabinoids found in cannabis (like CBC, CBG, and CBN) can be isolated from the cannabis plant and are not psychotropic. They won’t leave you feeling stoned. And while the research is still quite recent, there is already mounting scientific evidence linking these cannabinoids to a vast array of potential health benefits, from anti-depression to relief from chronic pain.
But why do cannabinoids seem to be so beneficial? Scientists don’t have all the answers yet, however, we do know that cannabinoids support the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a complex biological system that helps keep our bodies in balance. Many studies have shown that the ECS plays a role in supporting a variety of bodily functions and processes such as sleep, mood, appetite, memory, and reproduction, among others.
Our bodies can produce cannabinoids needed in the ECS, but if this system becomes out of balance it can impact bodily functions supported by the ECS. Think of cannabinoids as other supplements you put in your body: if your diet was deficient in vitamin D you wouldn’t hesitate to take a vitamin D supplement to provide it with the nutrients that it needs to operate at 100%. The same thing happens when our body is deficient in cannabinoids. As a parent, it’s not always possible to bring your A-game, but when your body is out of balance and lacking key resources, even your B- and C- game can feel out of reach.
Recent studies of CBD and other cannabinoids are showing promising therapeutic benefits for an ever-expanding list of diseases and disorders, but there are several factors that make cannabinoids particularly useful to parents. Remember that parental burnout? That feeling of having nothing left to give? While you might not be able to eliminate the stresses or control the other obstacles that come with parenting (during a pandemic no less), you can supply your body with the support it needs to be ready to tackle the day’s challenges.
Sleep Aid: When was the last time you truly had a great night’s sleep? If you’re the parent of a newborn, that might feel like a distant memory. But even seasoned veteran parents know that good sleep is hard to come by. There is always something to worry about, something that keeps you up all night. Add to that the fact that many of us parents are working late nights to make up for lost productivity during the day, and thus staring at screens into the wee hours; shutting off our brains is no easy task, even when we feel exhausted. But feeding the endocannabinoid system (ECS) can help our body maintain homeostasis, and better regulate our sleep.
Anti-Inflammatory & Pain Relief: My first child has always been on the skinny side, which I never really counted as a blessing until I had my second child who weighed 28+ pounds at one year old and wanted to be carried everywhere. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve pulled a muscle in my neck, and while the doctor’s recommendation of “take a couple of days off and relax” sounded great, it was hugely impractical. There’s no pause button when it comes to parenting, and parenting when in pain is exponentially more challenging. But many painkillers can impair judgment, interact with other prescriptions, or have moderate to serious side effects when used for too long or improperly. CBD on the other hand can be used as a safe and natural alternative to many prescription and OTC pain relievers.
Focus: For me, one of the biggest impacts of having kids has been on my ability to focus. Even simple things like composing an intelligent sentence (I’m sure I was able to do that before having kids) or having a conversation from start to finish without getting distracted feel elusive now. Studies have shown that “mommy brain” isn’t just in our heads.”(OK, well technically it is), childbirth actually reduces the gray matter in our brains. Fantastic. “Now brain, you and I have a lot of work to do today: we need to finish the project proposal, write that blog post about parenting and CBD… did I take my CBD today? That reminds me I need to refill the dog’s prescription. Did I let the dog out already? Oh look, the grass needs to be mowed. Wait, what was I doing?” Luckily for us, preliminary trials are showing CBD might be an effective self-treatment option to help improve cognitive performance. Additionally, relieving pain and anxiety and helping our bodies get a better night’s sleep will all contribute to improved concentration. Now that’s a win-win!
Anxiety and Stress Relief: There’s no denying that having kids will add stress and anxiety to your life. It’s as inevitable as losing a sock every few loads of laundry. The challenges of parenting are innumerable and range from the simple “what am I going to pack my kids for lunch tomorrow?” to the unreasonable yet just as sleep-depriving “how can I prepare my child for potential societal collapse?” And it’s no wonder that loss of sleep and focus combined with increased aches and pains compound that anxiety and make it next to impossible to find relief from everyday stresses. But growing research points to CBD as a powerful tool that can support our mental health, not only reducing anxiety and stress but also improving autistic tendencies and even lessening symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Other Benefits of CBD: CBD is discrete, convenient, non-habit forming, and non-intoxicating. You don’t need a prescription to purchase the vast majority of CBD products out there and you can take CBD as easily as you would take any other dietary supplement. But best of all, CBD use doesn’t interfere with your ability to parent. Unlike alcohol or other recreational drugs (I’m not judging, I love a glass of wine at the end of the day!) CBD won’t make you drunk or high; it won’t impair your judgment or your ability to drive. You can feel confident that you’re giving your body what it needs to cope with the challenges of being a parent without compromising your ability to actually be a parent.
The stigma around cannabis (I’m looking at you THC!) has created a lot of misinformation over the years, and made even talking about cannabis and CBD a taboo. Thankfully, with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the sale of products containing less than .3% THC was largely legalized across the United States *The final decision on legalization comes down to individual states, so some states still have restrictions on CBD and cannabis; check here to learn more about each state’s current policy. The explosion of interest in the beneficial properties of this powerful plant has led to increasing research that is debunking the myths and misconceptions around CBD.
The overwhelming majority of studies have shown that CBD is safe for adult consumption. But just like prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements, it’s always good to do your research and talk with your healthcare provider.
Prescription Drug Interactions: Most importantly, because of the way our body processes CBD, there can be some interactions with certain prescription drugs. Drugs that warn against consuming grapefruit are most likely to be affected by CBD use. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot take CBD, it’s important to be aware of the possible interactions and always consult with your physician. For a list of drugs that interact with CBD, click here.
CBD and Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Unfortunately, there is not enough research around CBD use and pregnancy or breastfeeding. Currently, the FDA advises against taking CBD products while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Drug Testing: If you’re taking CBD products, there’s a chance you might fail a drug test if required to take one. Many Full-Spectrum CBD products do contain varying amounts of THC. Even products marketed as “zero THC” might still contain trace amounts that could show up on drug tests.
CBD is finding its way into mainstream America as more and more people discover the benefits regular CBD use can bring. But we have to remember that there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to supplemental cannabinoids. With so many products on the market these days, knowing how to choose the right one can feel overwhelming. It’s important to look at third-party lab-testing and the concentrations of cannabinoids in each product. Ultimately, finding what’s best for you might take some time and experimentation, so as you begin to explore your own CBD self-care, it’s a good idea to keep track of what, when, and how much you’re taking so you can find the ideal product and dose for your particular needs.
For me, as a mom trying to balance a full-time career and a life with two small kids, I have found CBD to be an indispensable tool in my modern parenting toolbox. I know that to take care of my family, I have to take care of myself first. When I give my body the right care and nutrients that it needs, that puts me in a better position to care for those around me. I am nowhere close to being the perfect parent, but regular CBD use has taken the edge off my anxiety, allows me to focus more, and gives me an added boost to make it through the day in one piece, both mentally and physically.
Sophie Lawson is a contributing content writer for UVAL Care.
FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.
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