As is often the case, burnout seriously undermines your productivity and saps your energy levels. People who have been burned out typically report increased feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and complete exhaustion. Unfortunately, burnout syndrome can adversely affect your body, making you vulnerable to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

As research continues to investigate CBD’s medical benefits, scientific studies have found a link between the use of the cannabinoid and a reduction in the symptoms of burnout, such as stress, depression, lack of sleep, and exhaustion. In this article, we delve deep into how CBD works and look at how CBD can alleviate burnout syndrome.

What Is Burnout Syndrome Anyway?

By definition, burnout is a state of physical and mental/emotional exhaustion resulting from chronic and prolonged work-related stress. It occurs when you’re mentally and/or physically exhausted to the point you’re unable to meet constant demands. People who do not exercise, drink heavily, or take more than they can handle at work/school are more susceptible to burnout.

Burnout syndrome is a serious condition that begins with subtle signs and symptoms such as frequent headaches, changes in appetite, and feeling drained most of the time. If these symptoms are not addressed, they can lead to a major physical or mental breakdown. Currently, there is no specific drug for the treatment of burnout syndrome. Hence, scientists are exploring medical cannabis as a natural approach to recovering from burnout without the risk of addiction or adverse effects.

What Is CBD and How Does It Work?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid produced naturally by Cannabis sativa plants. The human body possesses an endocannabinoid system (ECS) which plays a major role in regulating our most vital bodily functions, such as mood, sleep, appetite, and immune response. The ECS is composed of endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), which bind to endocannabinoid receptors signaling that the ECS needs to take action.

Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC are similar to your body’s endocannabinoids, except they are produced by cannabis plants. That is why when you consume CBD, it is able to interact with the endocannabinoid receptors in the same way as endocannabinoids. This interaction results in a range of beneficial effects on the mind and body, such as reducing pain, stress, anxiety, and inflammation.

How CBD Can Alleviate the Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome

CBD has long been used in traditional medicine to reduce symptoms such as chronic pain and insomnia, and recent studies have backed up some of these health claims. One 2021 study found promising results on the use of CBD to alleviate burnout syndrome. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 120 medical practitioners who experienced burnout syndrome due to work exhaustion.

While 61 participants received a daily dose of 300mg CBD oil alongside standard therapy, 59 received standard care alone. The researchers found that those who received both CBD and standard care had a significant reduction of 50% depression symptoms, 60% anxiety symptoms, and 25% general burnout than those who received standard therapy alone.

CBD oil can also help improve sleep quality in people with burnout syndrome. Research has found that its soothing properties can help calm down and ease a racing mind, relaxing your body into a deeper and more restful sleep.

There is also evidence that CBD can relieve both chronic and acute pain. Chronic pain can cause stress, which negatively affects every aspect of your life, ultimately leading to burnout. According to some experts, CBD can be a highly effective analgesic for chronic pain. Multiple studies have also found that specific compounds in CBD oil may be particularly helpful in reducing chronic pain.

Additionally, CBD can help promote calm and improve your mood by targeting the receptors expressed in your nervous system. Research supports this benefit, with multiple studies reinforcing that CBD’s natural calming properties can be helpful for depression and anxiety disorders. The effects of long-term work-related stress can lead to depression and anxiety, making you feel sad and uninterested in the things you used to enjoy. You can turn to CBD oil to calm your mind when burnout out makes you feel depressed or anxious.

Final Thoughts

If you notice early signs of impending burnout or the condition has already crept on you, it’s vital that you pause and take positive steps to overcome the exhaustion and feel positive again. CBD produces its effects by interacting with the ECS, which plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis in your body. The therapeutic properties of CBD in reducing the symptoms of burnout syndrome have been studied, and the results are very promising.

However, it’s important to note that CBD studies are still in their early stages, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about the cannabinoid. Therefore, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor to recommend the best way to use CBD for burnout.