Poor self-esteem is something many people experience at some point in life. There are many stressful life situations in which our confidence levels are triggered to go south, delivering speeches in front of either a huge crowd or just a few strangers or having your very first date with someone you might think is out of your league, to name a few.
All too often, we generally know how it feels like to have poor self-esteem, but what’s the real cause behind it? Several factors can influence your self-esteem. It can be a result of certain anxious thoughts like you’re not good enough, you don’t fit in, and nobody wants to be with you. Negative self-talk like this can severely damage your ego and confidence. Moreover, some experts found that a person’s childhood can have a detrimental impact on their developing self-esteem. Physical or emotional abuse, sexual violence, long-term bullying, and difficulty in class are some common examples of childhood trauma, which can wreak havoc on a child’s sense of self-worth upon growing up.
Sometimes, our insecurities can be pinned on the pervasive impact of social comparison through social media. Social media has created a modern-ish bubble where people get to flaunt a perfect version of themselves. We don’t see their flaws, personal issues, or family affairs. All that we could see is the shiny, glamourous side of things. And sometimes, it’s hard not to fall into the trap of unconsciously comparing ourselves to others. When we start to look for something that’s missing in ourselves, it raises doubts about our own value, causing our self-esteem to hit rock bottom.
Whatever the case might be, the result is often hating oneself for being in such a position of having poor self-esteem. You start to feel insecure most of the time, and it might give you the impression that something could be wrong with you. The fear of being different can take a toll not only on your personality but also on your overall health and well-being. It’s normal to feel self-conscious from time to time, but it can develop into something more severe if not appropriately addressed. For instance, if you don’t take any measures to help manage your confidence levels, low self-esteem might contribute to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
So, what can CBD do to help? Is it a magic potion that, when you take, can help boost your self-esteem immediately? Unfortunately, CBD is not a magic potion or cure-all medicine that can change the way a person perceives themselves. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that CBD has nothing else to offer. Incorporating CBD gummies, capsules, tinctures or other infused products into your daily life, alongside a healthy lifestyle routine, might just bring about a big difference.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD as we like to call it, is a naturally occurring substance found within many cannabis varieties like hemp. Does it ring a bell? Of course, cannabis is the controversial plant that your parents have most probably told you to stay away from, at least before this time when researchers are yet to shed some light on its potential benefits. The plant is composed of more than 100 different compounds, and one of them that has garnered a lot of attention is CBD. While cannabis is generally known for the infamous “high” effects it offers, CBD has a different story to tell.
Contrary to several misconceptions about CBD, this compound is non-intoxicating and safe for human consumption, according to a critical review report released by WHO. This means you can rest assured that it won’t make you feel stoned or jumpy when consumed in the right amount. Instead of promoting mind-altering effects, CBD makes a name for itself as a natural compound that may help some people to calm down and take it easy, all thanks to its natural relaxing properties. In fact, one recent survey shows that roughly 49% of CBD users take CBD to help manage common physical and emotional signs of stress.
The promising therapeutic profile of CBD may have something to do with its amazing correlation with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Scientists refer to it as the universal regulator that oversees different bodily processes to maintain equilibrium, also known as homeostasis. CBD is thought to help sustain the ECS by working closely with the body’s natural endocannabinoids. These signalling molecules are responsible for stabilising various processes, including mood, memory, immunity, growth and stress. As a complementary cannabinoid, CBD helps to stimulate endocannabinoids to make sure that everything runs smoothly, inspiring a sense of balance.
The Bottom Line
For some people with lower self-esteem, stress and anxiety are major crippling issues. Even simple choices like what to wear to work or what to eat for lunch can send some of us into an endless loop of self-doubt and criticism. The potential ability of CBD to offer a sense of comfort may possibly provide a much-needed break from the tiny negative voices inside our heads.
While it does not directly impact our overall opinions towards our own abilities and limitations, CBD may act in a way that potentially benefits not just the mind but also the body. Nonetheless, adding CBD to your daily ratio should not be the only step you take in order to help bring back your self-confidence. If you feel too anxious to stay in any social situations that your body becomes literally tense, breathing exercises may help. Otherwise, it’s best to seek professional guidance to ensure your safety. Leading a healthy lifestyle and being kind to yourself are small changes that can make a big difference. Remember, a lot of things can help to improve the way you think and feel about yourself, but it just needs to start with you.
