Breathing is crucial to life, but it’s not always easy if you ski or hike in the largest mountains around the world. Each year, many casual travelers are unprepared for the physical requirements of breathing air with less oxygen at higher altitudes. For every 1,000 feet of elevation over 5,000 feet (or 1 mile) above sea level, it becomes exponentially harder to breathe, and symptoms like headaches, nausea, vomiting, and breathlessness can occur for up to a week until you are acclimated to the elevation. When you permanently move to a location at high altitude, your brain chemistry actually shifts; less serotonin and more dopamine is produced at a mile high, and some people experience long-term symptoms like depressed mood. Many people are not aware of the reason why they feel lethargic and unmotivated, and do nothing about it. Others tell their doctor, and are prescribed antidepressants that have undesirable side effects like nausea, headaches, and sexual dysfunction.
The hundreds of plant compounds in CBD oil all synergize to help balance brain chemistry and accelerate adaptation to elevation. Phytocannabinoid CBD boosts serotonin release and directly activates serotonin receptors, fighting headaches, nausea, fatigue, and depression. Other cannabinoids present in trace amounts in full-spectrum CBD oil, including THC and CBN, can powerfully increase appetite, which can improve energy levels and get you moving. Terpenes in CBD oil can also improve sleep quality, which will help you feel more rested in the morning and fight the fatigue from breathing in less oxygen. To beat acute altitude sickness, start taking 25 milligrams of CBD oil the day before heading to a higher elevation and continue using daily for one week. To balance the brain for a permanent move to an elevation of 1 mile or higher, take 15 milligrams of CBD oil daily for as long as you live there.