CBD and Cortisol Regulation: What Happens in Your Body

Stress has a way of sneaking into daily living. And when it sticks around too long, cortisol usually takes the hit! Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone, and it helps us power through challenges and to stay alert. But when stress becomes chronic, cortisol can fall out of rhythm, leading to anxiety, fatigue, and that wired-but-tired feeling. In this post, Baked Goods briefly explains what cortisol does and how taking CBD may be beneficial.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is your body’s alarm and energy partner. When something stressful happens, your brain tells your body to release the hormone. Cortisol helps the body wake up and feel energized, encouraging you to react to emergencies. But when stress is continuous, the body pumps out cortisol over and over again! Excessive amounts can make you feel grumpy, tired, and worn out. The key is to support a cortisol balance – when your body feels safe and calm, cortisol can do its job properly and lower back down when needed.

How CBD affects cortisol

CBD may help balance the cortisol response over time. CBD does not directly suppress cortisol production. Instead, it appears to influence cortisol indirectly by fostering the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS helps maintain internal balance and assists with regulating mood, nervous system activity, and the stress response. So, when it comes to taking CBD for stress, you can take in at these times:

• In the morning, before you enter a stressful environment (i.e. workplace);
• When you feel a bout of anxiety kicking in (try inserting CBD drops under your tongue to support speedy results);
• Or at night, if you find that you can’t settle down for sleep.

Understanding how CBD influences cortisol helps explain why it can be beneficial for emotional balance – especially in a fast-paced society.

We make shopping for CBD easy

Are you ready to shop for CBD? Prior to making a purchase, it would be valuable to get clearance from your healthcare provider (i.e. naturopathic doctor, pharmacist, family doctor, etc.) – this is to help avoid medication interactions and to examine underlying concerns. If you want CBD recommendations based on your situation, you can contact Baked Goods directly – send us a message and we’ll respond shortly. We love meeting new customers and we look forward to knowing you! Note: you must be 19+ to purchase CBD from Baked Goods.

Did you know that adding meditation to your daily routine can help lower cortisol? Click here to learn how to combine our Baked Goods CBD products with your meditation practice.

NOTE: This article is not an alternative to formal medical advice and should not be relied on for diagnosing or treating your health condition or concerns. This post is published solely for the purpose of education. Please see your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your wellness or visit a nearby hospital if you require emergency help. 

Sources

Henson, Jeremy D., et al. “Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control of Stress with Cannabidiol.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 10, no. 24, 2021, p. 5852, https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10245852. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Spinella TC, Burdeyny V, Oprea A, Perrot TS, Barrett SP. The Impact of Cannabidiol Expectancy on Cortisol Responsivity in the Context of Acute Stress: Associations with Biological Sex. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2024 Aug;9(4):1006-1014. doi: 10.1089/can.2022.0326. Epub 2023 Aug 7. PMID: 37552817.