Feeling stressed out? You’re not alone. Rising stress levels has led the American Psychological Association to call stress a national health crisis. Cannabis has been suggested as a way to lower stress, but for some people THC can actually worsen disquietude instead of making it better.

CBD, however, is known for its calming effects. In fact, clinical and anecdotal evidence indicates that CBD may help people to better manage stress. Here’s what you need to know about CBD for stress.

CBD For Stress: Does It Work?

cbd for stress relief

When CBD and THC are ingested, they produce their effects through their interactions with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS works to keep the body in balance by regulating many crucial functions including sleep, appetite, discomfort, and stress.

THC works by binding directly to cell receptors in this system. However, CBD works through complex and indirect mechanisms which can make it hard to narrow down exactly how CBD for stress relief may work.

But one thing is for sure. More and more people are turning to CBD for stress management, and many report that it works for them. One recent survey found that 37% used CBD for managing stress.