CBD Oil and Functional Mushrooms for Anxiety and Stress Relief - Cannabotech CBD Oils & Products Articles

CBD Oil and Functional Mushrooms for Anxiety and Stress Relief

Joel Taylor - writer and editor for Cannabotech
By Joel Taylor
Kelli Harris
Edited by Kelli Harris

Updated April 14, 2023.

Smiling woman sitting in front of laptop while pouring CBD oil into cup

The growing popularity of CBD oil and functional mushrooms is propagating its use in treating many different health conditions, from chronic pain to mood disorders. There is also increasing research with positive results being published on the efficacy of these treatments. It appears that CBD and functional mushrooms can be good for stress, anger, depression, sleep problems, and more.

This article looks specifically at using combinations of CBD oil and functional mushrooms to treat symptoms of anxiety and stress, how this is possible, the best products to do so, and some safety precautions.

How CBD and Functional Mushrooms Could Benefit Stress and Anxiety

CBD

The human body has built-in systems of receptors, protein structures that respond to specific substances and transmit certain signals. One of these receptor systems has evolved to respond directly to cannabinoids, the bioactive compounds found in the cannabis plant, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The structures of the endocannabinoid system (CB1 and CB2 receptors, different enzymes, and endocannabinoids) are located throughout the body. They are thought to be modulators of physiological functions in the following systems (as noted by scientific study):

  • Central nervous system
  • Autonomic nervous system
  • Endocrine system
  • Immune system
  • Gastrointestinal tract
  • Reproductive system

Research understands that a few of these systems, primarily the endocrine system, is where your mood and emotions are controlled. Poorly functioning systems can lead to negative emotions, panic attacks, and mood disorders like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Although researchers still don't fully understand how the mood-stabilising effects of CBD operate, it is thought to come from interactions between it and specific cannabinoid receptors. Studies have found links between CBD and reduced anxiety and stress hormones by altering serotonin (a neurotransmitter responsible for well-being and mood regulation) signals. Additional research has also shown that CBD seems to exhibit a calming effect that can benefit stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Functional Mushrooms

As for functional mushrooms, all of their benefits come from the various nutritional components (such as polysaccharides and polyphenols) abundantly found within them. Although the benefits of each mushroom vary slightly from others, many of them share differing degrees of the same benefits.

For example:

  • Research has shown that Reishi mushrooms are effective in improving the quality of life of cancer patients by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
  • Research has shown that Cordyceps militaris contains naturally occurring adenosine analogues, which can improve sleep quality by restricting the release of cortisol (the body's stress hormone).

Best CBD and Functional Mushroom Products for Anxiety and Stress Relief

CBD comes in many forms and ways of consumption. The simplest differentiation between CBD products is as follows:

  • Full-spectrum products have the most cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, including trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
  • Broad-spectrum products have fewer available cannabinoids.
  • Isolates have all the cannabinoids (except CBD) and non-cannabinoid components removed.

For more info on this topic, read our post about the differences between full-spectrum and other CBD products.

There are many different methods of consuming CBD and mushrooms, and we at Cannabotech have eliminated the difficulty of choice by combining natural CBD with extracts of various functional mushrooms and other ingredients in the form of tinctures, sprays, and creams. Our M2CBD products are carefully formulated with a decade of prior research conducted by expert pharmacologists and molecular biologists. As such, any of our following products should bring you some relief:

Best Time of Day to Take CBD and Functional Mushroom Products

Unfortunately, there is no strict guide for the best time of day to take CBD or functional mushrooms, and it largely comes down to a process of trial and error. If you are using products specifically formulated for relaxation and stress relief, consider taking them a few hours before bed or after a day of work as, although rare, one of the most common side effects of CBD is drowsiness. On the other hand, if you are using products to boost your mood and energy levels, you might benefit more from taking a lowered individual dose throughout the day.

Similar to how there is no best time to take CBD or functional mushrooms, there is also no way to know how much to take for anxiety and stress. Everyone reacts differently to these compounds, and so it will take some time to figure out how to calculate your personal dosage. Generally speaking, chronic symptoms of pain and severe anxiety will likely require a higher dose than less substantial conditions like acute stress.

The golden rule of CBD and functional mushroom usage is to start small and give yourself a week or so before deciding to increase it incrementally. Though, if you'd like a more personalised opinion, chat to your doctor.

Do CBD or Functional Mushrooms Interact With Anxiety Medication?

According to research, CBD interacts with and negatively affects many medications by inhibiting certain enzymes in the liver that metabolise them. The most common medications used to treat anxiety are benzodiazepines like DiazePam (Valium). Interactions between CBD oil and valium are likely to cause an increased risk of side effects relating to both substances.

Many functional mushrooms are also believed to reduce blood sugar and blood-platelet levels, and so should be avoided by diabetics currently taking hypoglycemic medications. However, it isn't known whether functional mushrooms interact with anxiety medications or not, and so you should err on the side of caution.

If you still wish to incorporate Cannabotech products into your life alongside other anxiety medications, consult with a doctor. They can give you a guide on lowering your medication dosage and spacing out your CBD and functional mushroom usage properly.

Can CBD or Functional Mushrooms Make Stress or Anxiety Worse?

A final word of caution on the topic is that, even though the side effects of CBD and functional mushrooms are incredibly low, some people are more at risk than others, and so caution should always be exercised. Additionally, THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, has been found to increase anxiety symptoms in certain situations. Although the concentration of THC in legal CBD products is likely not high enough to cause this effect, if you'd like to steer toward safety, stick to broad-spectrum products or isolates utilised by Cannabotech that contain no trace amounts of THC.

That being said, there is no reported evidence that suggests mushrooms have the potential to increase anxiety or stress.