Yo, what’s good peeps? My name is Dan and today we’re gonna talk about a feeling that I’m sure we’ve all experienced at least once in our lives: frustration. Like, you know when you’re trying to achieve a goal or something and it just ain’t working out? Yeah, that’s frustration. It can happen at work, with your homies, or even when you’re stuck in traffic. It’s not a medical condition or anything, but it’s definitely a psychological and emotional response. And yo, let me tell you, that frustration response can cause some serious problems, like stress and tension. But don’t worry my homies, ‘cause CBD might just be able to help with that.
So, what exactly is frustration? Some people think it’s the same thing as anger, but they ain’t the same thing. Anger is way more intense than frustration, and it’s definitely a stronger emotion. Frustration is just a natural human response to things not going as planned or hoped for. Like if you were trying to catch the bus but you missed it, or if you lost to your opponent in a game, frustration is an expected response.
Experts say there are two types of forces that cause frustration: internal and external. Internal forces are emotions like disappointment and dismay that are within ourselves. External forces are conditions outside of our control, like being stuck in an elevator or having a work emergency.
There are lots of factors that could lead to frustration, such as differences in goals between people, miscommunication, unclear relationships, limited resources or personal backgrounds. And typical responses to frustration include anger, loss of confidence, stress, depression and addictive behaviors.
Now here’s where the science comes in: there’s this part of our brain called the amygdala that identifies threats to our safety and produces a neurochemical response to protect us from those threats. Sometimes that response ends up being emotional, like anger or frustration. Due to our genetic makeup, some people might release these neurochemical responses more easily than others.
Emotion is also something we learn from our environment and upbringing. That’s why some people get angry really easily while others just don’t care about what’s happening around them.
But don’t stress dawg! There are things we can do to manage our frustration better. We can’t eliminate it entirely (‘cause life happens), but we can minimize it and choose healthier responses instead. When we’re frustrated, we tend to have certain negative thoughts related to the situation.
So instead of getting pissed off if someone failed to do something or did it wrong (like your co-worker didn’t do their part of the project), use it as an opportunity to improve your problem-solving skills. You know what I’m saying?
If you’re on your way to the airport and there’s an accident causing traffic ahead of you which could make you miss your flight – don’t panic! Take deep breaths from the diaphragm and slowly repeat a calming word or phrase. If you stay calm instead of letting frustration take over, you might even think of an unexpected solution (like taking a different route).
One of the best ways to cope with frustration is physical activity – go for a run or hit the gym or something! Exercise releases endorphins which can temporarily relieve stress.
But if your frustration is really getting out of hand, maybe it’s time to talk to a therapist who can help you analyze your behavior and come up with better coping mechanisms.
And now for the good stuff: CBD might be able to help with frustration too! CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana and industrial hemp (which is legal in many parts of the US). Unlike THC though, CBD won’t make you high.
Research is ongoing but some studies have shown that CBD can help alleviate stress by inducing feelings of calmness and reducing anxiety levels. CBD could also affect receptors in our brains’ limbic system (like the amygdala) which could reduce stress levels.
Although no studies have been conducted on CBD’s effects on frustration specifically, there are plenty of studies that show its effectiveness in reducing symptoms associated with anxiety disorders like stress and anxiety.
So there you have it homies! Next time you’re feeling frustrated af, remember that there are healthier ways to cope with this emotion than just getting angry or upset about it. Try physical activity or breathing exercises first. And if all else fails – maybe give CBD a try! Stay cool my dudes!