Meditation and CBD

Meditation is an ancient practice that has been around seemingly since the dawn of man. Developed in India between 5,000 and 3,500 BCE, meditation is a method of quieting the mind and relaxing the body. Modern science has validated through measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) that meditation is beneficial to the nervous system.

Because of this, it has become a tool in therapy through programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an eight-week course offering intensive mindfulness and meditation training. Many others have adopted a practice at home as a way to unwind and embrace serenity.

Still, not many people meditate daily. At Leanna Organics, we believe that CBD can help change this fact. The exciting thing about implementing meditation and CBD together is that CBD is a mild and natural relaxant that can help you experience the peace that meditation promises.

Demystifying Meditation

Meditation is a simple process of quieting the mind and relaxing the body.

Even though meditation has been around for centuries and is backed by evidence-based science, it has still yet to achieve mainstream habit. I think the reason for this is that people make meditation more complex than it should be. They worry about their wandering mind and question if they are wasting their time. They give up before they even have a chance to gain the benefits of sitting in silence.

I think one of the primary reasons for this is because they haven't been guided through a meditation session, therefore they don't know if they are doing it right.

Also, many people's minds race so much that they can't maintain steadiness and stillness. This is where meditation and CBD can converge. CBD can aid you so that you can relax and achieve the accepting attitude of awareness that meditation is known for.

CBD Will Help You Relax for Meditation

What makes CBD different from traditional solutions for nervousness is that it puts you more in tune with your body as opposed to blocking the messages with intoxication. Users of CBD still feel what bothers them, but it makes it more manageable.

This is important for meditation because, unlike psychoactive alternatives like Valium and Xanax that make the mind wander and feel numb, CBD allows us to still hear the signals that come from our bodies.

Although meditation normally requires no thought, it is very much about self-reflection. A clear and relaxed mind, which CBD fosters, can help you achieve deeper levels of meditation.

Another benefit is that CBD topicals such as Leanna Organics CBD salve can be applied directly to problem areas such as hips and lower back to make meditation less uncomfortable.

Meditation Basics

Keep a straight, erect spine when meditating.

A straight spine is one of the necessities of a beneficial meditative session. While it is true that one can meditate lying down, to reap the true benefits of silencing the mind the spine must be erect. A straight back can be accomplished by sitting on the edge of your bed with your feet planted firmly on the ground. For people who are fresh to meditation, or have issues sitting in a more traditional meditative posture, this will be an easy entry point. But for those who can get into a cross-legged position, the addition of a meditation pillow or zafu will help keep the spine from rounding. The general idea is that you want to raise your hips above your knees. You can use a yoga bolster or even a blanket for support. The firmer the better, so if you don't go for the zafu right away, it is better to use a folded-up blanket than a regular pillow.

A Quick and Easy Meditation

Consistency is the key with both meditation and CBD oil.

One of my favorite forms of meditation is trying to achieve stillness. Stillness implies a steadiness of both mind and body. It has a concrete goal (non-movement) which is great for beginners who wonder if they are doing it right. One of the primary goals of meditation (that isn't often spoken about) is concentration.

As you sit, the goal is to focus your mind on a single point that is not thought. The subject of your focal point doesn't matter as much as your ability to focus on that single point. As you do this, your awareness is pulled away from thoughts.

Many focus on the breath; others focus on their third eye, or Ajna (the spot between your eyebrows). In some Zen Buddhist traditions, they focus below the belly button.

For this practice, let's focus on the idea of stillness. You have more control of your muscles than you do your thoughts, which are often automatic. Therefore, focus first on trying not to move your body. Start with 5 minutes a day and work your way up to 15. As your routine matures with integrated practice every day, this will naturally extend stillness to your thoughts as well.

The other benefit of starting with trying not to move your body first is that it is more measurable than thought. Because thought slips in and out of consciousness so quickly, it is more challenging to be aware of when it is not motionless. But physical movement is more apparent, and if one notices 2 small movements during practice, they could make a goal of moving only once or not at all on the next sitting. Implement 5–15 minutes of stillness with little to no physical movement, and you will find yourself well on your way to developing the concentration required to still the mind.

The Meditation

• Take CBD oil sublingually at a measurement of 5–30 mg at least 15–20 minutes before you meditate. There is a cumulative effect that happens by taking CBD internally for a month or more.
• Sit on your meditation cushion or the edge of your bed. You can place your hands on your knees or fold them in your lap.
• After the initial minute or so of adjusting your posture to assure your spine is erect, try not to move your body.
• It is easier at first to focus on not moving the body. Make that the goal of your meditation practice for the first few weeks.
• As your practice ripens, extend the idea of stillness to your mind as well. You will find it is actually easier to keep your body steady when your mind is still, so don't be hesitant about shooting for both right away.
• Don't be hard on yourself. Meditation practice is about developing an accepting attitude towards the moment. If you can't find stillness (and there will be those days), be present with the disturbance until it recedes without moving or getting up. You are developing concentration by sticking with the practice even if that particular day was rough.
• Consistency is key. Keep at the practice for a few months or more to reap the benefits of a calmer and more serene mind that isn't easily disturbed.

Meditation is the decoupling of thought from awareness.

The Verdict on Meditation and CBD

CBD mimics compounds that our bodies make naturally that are known for their calming effects. But it does so in a very moderate way—it is not intoxicating and psychoactive like THC.

CBD just takes the edge off. It makes things less uncomfortable. Therefore, meditation and CBD mix well together. It is not going to put your meditation on steroids or any type of hyperbole like that, but it can provide a gentle boost in calmness, and topicals can be rubbed directly onto problem areas to alleviate discomfort while sitting.

Leanna Organics always recommends a holistic approach to wellness. CBD is a tool to relax your mind and make your body feel less uncomfortable as you meditate. Try one of our samples today of CBD oil or CBD salve for your meditation practice!

Check out the Leanna Organics line of self-care products infused with CBD.

Scott Mollenkopf

Scott co-founded Leanna Organics and now guides its content, SEO, and marketing. He started in technology in 1996 and later partnered with his wife, Tracy, to grow a hemp-based wellness brand.

Read more about Scott

Scott handles technology, sales, and marketing at Leanna Organics while raising three children and looking after a busy household of dogs. He moves between behind-the-scenes systems and conversations with customers, and he often writes about natural wellness and self-care on the company blog. When he can, he heads out on Colorado trails with his dogs, staying close to the outdoor life that first inspired Leanna Organics.