Now that hemp-derived products have been made legal around the country, many people are starting to combine yoga, CBD and meditation for a powerful anti-anxiety, anti-stress solution. If that sounds good to you, read my guide to stopping anxiety with meditation.
In this guide, I will show you the benefits of Cannabidiol for yoga and meditation, and how to combine the three. Plus, I will give my opinion on whether it’s healthy and worthwhile.
I’m massively passionate about yoga and meditation. And I also am a firm believer in natural health. We are what we put into the body and mind. So, is it right for us to be mixing CBD into our health practices? And what benefits are there anyway?
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The Connection Between Yoga, CBD And Meditation
CBD is a cannabinoid compound derived from hemp. It is similar to THC [Tetrahydrocannabinol—one of the 11+3 cannabinoids identified in cannabis] [1]. The main difference is that cannabidiol is non-intoxicating. That’s right; it won’t get you high. It is, however, one of the best plant extracts for relaxation.
Cannabinoids affect the cannabinoid receptors in the body, which are located in the endocannabinoid system [2]. This system triggers the brain when we are hungry, sleepy or in pain. By taking CBD we increase the number of cannabinoids, which balances the system, making us relax. It also slows the mind, which is one of the main benefits of CBD for meditation and yoga.
Is it a drug?
In an article for Harvard [3], Peter Grinspoon states, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public-health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
Okay, so is it legal?
That depends where you live, and it changes quite often. Most countries and states have varying laws regulating use. So be sure to check whether it is legal in your part of the world.
So, it is not a drug, and it may or may not be legal in your area. But why should you care anyway? What are the benefits?
Benefits of CBD
40% of people struggle with anxiety. 77% of people frequently experience stress.
While there are tons of medications for stress and anxiety, most yogis and meditators, like you and I, prefer to find natural solutions for stress and anxiety.
The good news is this: evidence suggests that one of the most significant benefits of CBD is when you combine it with both yoga and meditation, in which case they form a powerful stress reliever.
Interestingly, these three things share similar benefits:
- Reduce blood pressure
- Calm the body and mind
- Elevate mood
One thing cannabidiols have over yoga and meditation, however, is that it is effortless.
Cannabidiols make life easier
Many people struggle to meditate. Many people struggle to relax in yoga, too.
And it just so happens that one of the best benefits of cannabidiol for yoga and meditation is that it helps you relax and thereby helps you focus.
Do you struggle to sit to meditate? Do you find it hard to relax when doing yoga? If so, you might benefit from using CBD before you get onto the mat. Evidence suggests it will relax you physically so you can sit more comfortably, which could improve your meditation practice.
General Health
In particular, cbd could help with:
- Focus
- Relaxation
- Acne
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Bacterial infections
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Inflammation
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nausea
- Parkinson’s disease
- Psoriasis
- Substance Abuse
- Schizophrenia
Side Effects
Side effects range from irritability to nausea. And some people may be more affected than others. [5]
Plus, there are certainly people who should not take it, including pregnant women. [6]
Bear those side effects in mind if you do decide to try it.
Best Types Of CBD
Choosing the right type of Cannabidiol for yoga practice / meditation practice is a matter of personal preference.
Different types:
CBD Oil: absorbed under the tongue for quick effect. If you combine this type of CBD with yoga, you will feel the difference before you even step on the mat.
CBD Gummies: A slower effect. If you want to combine the gummy type of CBD and yoga / meditation leave some time between taking it and doing your practice.
CBD Terpenes: Similar to CBD oil but combined with natural terpenes to create various flavours.
So, which is the best type of CBD should you use?
If you just want quick relaxation, go with CBD oil. Unless you don’t like the taste, that is. In which case you might like to take a gummy or terpene alternative.
Be aware that CBD products do have slightly different effects on the body. Tinctures act faster than capsules, for instance. You’ll feel effects 15 minutes after using a tincture (gels take about twice as long). And if you don’t like taking it orally, you can try a cream instead.
Either way, you will get the same potential benefits (and the same possible side effects).
There is one crucial thing to look out for: C02 extraction.
The best types of Cannabidiol for yoga and meditation are ones that use C02 extraction, which is a process that uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull the desired phytochemicals from a plant. [7] This process helps to ensure that CBD is free of metals, solvents and artificial substances.
Those are the types of CBD used in yoga studios and meditation studios.
Classes
Today there are actually proper Cannabidiol meditation classes and Cannabidiol yoga classes, so to some degree, we have to acknowledged the legitimacy of CBD.
Yoga studios and meditation studios that offer CBD classes do so because it helps students to relax before they start. Evidence also suggests that it is anti-inflammatory [8], so one benefit is that it eases pain.
As for meditation; CBD relaxes the mind to a degree that many people cannot normally achieve, so by taking it, some people can improve their meditation practice. For people with arthritis or joint pain, it also helps them to relax physically when they practice.
However, opinions are polarised. You’re probably either very much for-it or against it. It should be remembered, however, that studios have used various plants for a long time, such as in aromatherapy, so the use of CBD is not too outlandish.
Yes or no?
If you ask a bunch of yogis whether you should combine yoga and CBD, you will get very different answers.
On the one hand, there are specific Yoga And CBD classes and Meditation And CBD classes that are entirely about combining those two things. Teachers of those classes will tell you all about the health benefits.
On the other hand, it is psychoactive and displays some properties similar to drugs, which most yoga teachers and meditation teachers are against.
So, whether or not you want to mix CBD into your practice of meditation and yoga is very much a personal decision (so long as it is legal where you live).
One good alternative is to use meditation herbs.
Paul Harrison BSc is a qualified meditation teacher who believes in genuine, authentic meditation. He has more than 15 years experience in teaching meditation and mindfulness both to individuals and to corporations and is the author of four books on meditation. He has been featured in Psychology Today, Breathe Magazine, Healthline, Psych Central and Lion’s Roar.
Paul studied meditation in beautiful Oxford, UK, and Hamilton Ontario Canada, and earned his degree at Staffordshire University.
Paul’s biggest inspirations include Thich Nhat Hanh, Jon Kabat Zinn, and Jack Kornfield.
“My goal is to provide the most authentic meditation sessions so you can harness the power of your own mind for personal transformation” – Paul Harrison