Although the stigma around mental health disorders has significantly decreased, we still need more awareness around the topic in the general population.
Mental health disorders are on the rise and CBD has the potential to open doors in the field of mental health that were previously not known.
CBD is cannabidiol – a plant-based derivative. It’s derived from the hemp plant and know for its beneficial effects on the human body. It is a non-psychoactive compound, which means it won’t make you high.
CBD has been used for centuries owing to its healing properties and only in recent years have scientists researched and studied this compound more thoroughly.
Keep reading to find out more about the impact of CBD on your mental health!
CBD for Depression
CBD may be effective in managing depressive symptoms in those suffering from major depressive disorder. According to Canada’s statistics from 2012, it is estimated that about 11.3% of adults in Canada met the criteria for the diagnosis of clinical depression at some point in their lives! This makes about 1 in 9 people!
Moreover, about half of these never sought the treatment they need/needed.
How does CBD come into play?
CBD could improve the symptoms of depressive disorders. It may improve mood, regulate appetite and increase your quality of sleep. Studies also show that CBD may cause both, a long-term and short-term relief of depressive symptoms.
Traditional pharmaceutical drugs used to treat depression like SSRIs take a few weeks to show their effects, which greatly reduces compliance to medications. Moreover, SSRIs like escitalopram and fluoxetine have major side effects like sexual dysfunction, mood disruptions, weight changes and many others.
On the other hand, CBD doesn’t have such major side effects!
CBD for Anxiety
Anxiety is a chronic mental health condition that affects a large portion of the population. There are many forms of anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and performance anxiety. Only about half of those suffering from anxiety actually seek treatment!
Traditional drugs used for anxiety have many side effects. CBD, on the other hand, may provide immediate relief from anxiety without any major side effects.
The most common form of CBD used to provide relief from anxiety include CBD inhalers like vape pens because these give CBD instant access to your bloodstream, allowing it to show rapid effects.
CBD may be used to reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders. It could significantly reduce the palpitations and sleep disturbances faced by patients suffering from anxiety.
CBD may improve your quality of sleep by influencing the serotonin pathway in your brain.
CBD for PTSD
PTSD, also called post-traumatic stress disorder, is a chronic disorder that can significantly affect a person’s life.
When we talk about PTSD, a lot of individuals hold the misconception that they’re immune to this mental health disorder because they haven’t served in wars. However, anyone can suffer from PTSD. Even second-hand exposure to a traumatic event can result in PTSD.
Symptoms of this disorder include recalling the traumatic events, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and frequent anxiety attacks.
Studies show that CBD may significantly reduce a lot of these symptoms. It could give relief to those suffering from nightmares, allowing a good night’s sleep.
Studies also show that CBD could reduce the conversion of traumatic short-term memories into long-term memory.
How it Works
CBD is a cannabinoid, which means it is similar to the endocannabinoids found naturally inside the human body. These endocannabinoids work on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex system consisting of a network of receptors and chemicals.
The ECS influences many functional aspects of your body like mood, inflammation, pain, appetite and others. It contains two receptors that are distributed throughout your body, CB1 and CB2 receptors. It also contains endocannabinoids inside the human body and enzymes that break down these endocannabinoids after their use.
Studies have shown that CBD influences the ECS in two ways:
It exerts effects on the CB1 and CB2 receptors, thus regulating mood, appetite and inflammation. Although it doesn’t directly activate these receptors, it alters their sensitivity to the natural endocannabinoids found in the human body.
It inhibits enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids. Thus, endocannabinoids remain in your system for longer and improve mood, appetite and sleep.
CBD also exerts its effects on many other receptors in the body including the serotonergic receptors. Serotonin is a neurochemical that transmits many signals involved in mood, appetite, pain and others.
Studies have also shown that CBD may increase the activity of the serotonin pathway. This, in turn, improves mood, appetite and behavior.
In addition, CBD may also influence other receptors in the brain like glutamate receptors, which could produce anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects.
Dosage
Every human body works in a different way and has a different quantity of receptors and chemicals. Thus, the optimum dosage of CBD for your body may be different from the optimum dosage for another person.
If you’ve just started taking CBD, it’s best to start with the lowest dosage possible and then slowly but steadily make your way up until you experience its potential therapeutic effects. This way makes it easier for you to find the dosage that works best for your body.
It’s best not to start with a large dose of CBD so that you can give your body some time to adjust to it.
Bottomline
So, what are you waiting for? Try out the various CBD products available in the market and see the difference it can make for yourself! After all, your mental health is important and worth caring for. It can significantly affect your quality of life and if you’re facing any mental health issues, they should be addressed immediately!
