Feeling fatigued or lacking energy is something that many people experience. In some cases, this problem can be dealt with by making simple lifestyle changes, or it may be a result of an underlying condition that can be diagnosed and treated. However, if you can’t address the reason for it and feel like it’s having a negative impact on your day-to-day life, it’s important to look for alternative solutions.
Some experts are now suggesting that CBD products could be used to improve energy levels. Here, we look at what could be causing your lack of energy and whether CBD could be the treatment you’ve been looking for.
Can CBD oil give you energy?
Research into CBD and how it can impact different conditions is continuing at pace, with more uses being suggested as further tests are carried out, and scientists looking at how energy could be affected by the use of CBD products. For example, Dr Michael Moskowitz MD MPH is a specialist in pain management, and he has conducted his own research into the potential benefits of CBD. He experimented on himself before offering it to patients who were open to the concept, and the results were presented in his book, Medical Cannabis: A guide for Patients, Practitioner, and Caregivers.
During tests with a total of 161 patients over the course of 19.5 months, Dr Moskowitz primarily focused on how CBD affected pain, energy, sleep, quality of life and focus. Although the strongest results were for the reduction of pain, stress, improved sleep and quality of life, 53 per cent of patients claimed to feel like they had more energy, with only seven per cent claiming to have worse energy levels.
What could cause a lack of energy?
Whether it’s due to being unable to sleep or feeling overworked during the day, everyone will experience a feeling of tiredness at times, and it’s perfectly natural to feel this way. However, more serious and long-lasting fatigue can have a profound impact on your quality of life.
Possible causes of a lack of energy include:
- your diet
- anxiety
- insomnia
- your exercise pattern
- depression
- diabetes
- glandular fever
- testosterone level imbalances
- thyroid disorders
- sleep apnoea
- anaemia
- coeliac disease
- heart disease.
How to boost energy levels
As discussed previously, you may want to see if CBD oil can help increase your energy levels, but there are also possible lifestyle changes you could make to help you feel more energetic.
For example, you could:
Remove stress from your life –
Feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed can lead to depleted energy levels, and if you don’t take steps to remove the stress, it’s unlikely to change. Although you can’t completely stop feeling stressed, you could cut down your stress levels to feel more energised by taking time out of your day to relax by reading a book, taking a warm bath or having a long walk.
Remain hydrated –
You may not realise how much being dehydrated can affect you, but it can actually lead to feeling tired, dizzy, lightheaded and lacking energy. Dehydration happens when the amount of fluid coming out of the body exceeds the amount going in, so the best way to counteract this is to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Socialise –
If you’re working a lot or live in an isolated area, you may not find time to see friends and family. However, spending too much time by yourself can lead to a feeling of tiredness and low mood. By arranging to see friends, joining a club or getting involved in a hobby with other people, you could boost your energy levels.
Exercise –
Aside from the other physical health benefits, exercise can also help to improve your energy levels. An article published in the November 2006 edition of the Psychological Bulletin detailed a test on fatigue and energy levels. The results suggested that regular exercise increased feelings of energy and decreased feelings of fatigue.
Evaluate your diet –
A feeling of sluggishness can be caused by your diet, so it could be worthwhile evaluating what you typically eat and drink each day. Consider cutting down on processed food, sugar and alcohol, and increasing your intake of nutritious foods as part of a more balanced diet.
Sleep –
Not resting enough is bound to affect how much energy you have, and if you’re unable to sleep properly, you could end up feeling lethargic. Even by simply setting a regimented bedtime, winding down before you plan on going to sleep and avoiding distractions such as your phone or tablet, you could improve your sleeping pattern and increase your energy levels.
However, if you continue to feel drained, constantly worn out and like you’re experiencing symptoms of fatigue, you should consider seeking medical advice.
