Introduction
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a natural compound that has become popular in recent years, thanks in part to increasing research into its potential health benefits, which may include treating depression. Initial results from some studies on CBD and depression seem promising.
CBD is similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but the two compounds work differently in the body. THC is responsible for the euphoria, or "high," a person experiences when consuming cannabis.
CBD does not have these effects on the body - it does not cause intoxication or a feeling of euphoria.
CBD may not be right for everyone and there are other factors to consider before using CBD treatment for every condition.
Mental Health Uses for CBD
1. Anxiety
When you're anxious about something, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol that make you feel tense, irritable, and stressed out. CBD has been shown to reduce stress in mice by acting on the same receptors that are activated by the endocannabinoid system found in humans—and it doesn't cause any side effects like those caused by other drugs for anxiety.
2. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
People who experience trauma often suffer from chronic anxiety or depression because their brains don't know how to process what happened or why it happened. They also tend not to easily forget bad memories associated with those events, either emotionally or physically (for example, traumas involving sexual assault). But studies have shown that CBD can help relieve symptoms related specifically to PTSD; one study published last year showed that daily use helped reduce suicidal thoughts among people who had experienced military combat-related abuse while another looked at veterans' interest in using medical marijuana after retiring from active duty service (which they did not find statistically significant).
3. Depression
CBD is used to treat depression because it can increase the production of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in mood regulation, while serotonin is another mood-regulating neurotransmitter.
CBD use is effective at treating various types of depression when combined with traditional treatments such as psychotherapy and medication, according to research.
4. Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in memory loss, confusion, and other cognitive problems. It affects approximately 5.4 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The symptoms of AD can start as early as 30 years old but most typically occur after age 65.
CBD is an effective treatment for treating the symptoms of AD because it slows down cell damage caused by oxidative stress on brain cells and helps improve memory loss among patients who have experienced this condition.
5. Protect Against Neurological Disease
Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that CBD has some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have found that these substances can provide important neuroprotection or prevent various pathological diseases.
Several preliminary studies have shown that CBD can be effective in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Huntington's disease and cerebral ischemia were also tested, but no significant positive results were noted. More clinical studies are needed to confirm the benefits of CBD when used to treat these conditions.
6. Psychosis
CBD has been shown to be effective in treating cognitive impairment and side effects of psychosis, including anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
CBD may also improve memory function and attention deficits associated with schizophrenia. The research shows that patients who use CBD have less severe symptoms than those who don't use it at all or don't get enough sleep because of their condition.
7. Sleep
Sleep disorders are a serious health issue and can have a negative impact on your life. CBD helps with sleep disorder symptoms, such as insomnia, nightmares, and sleep apnea. It’s also been shown to help with REM sleep (the time in which you dream) and other parts of the night where you may not be asleep yet but still need restorative rest without feeling groggy or drowsy after waking up in the morning.
CBD use has been linked with an increase in REM time during sleep, which means that people who use it regularly tend to have more vivid dreams while they are sleeping! This is great news for those who suffer from intense nightmares or frequent night terrors due to their anxiety levels; however, it should be noted that this effect only occurs when cannabis is used regularly rather than sporadically as alcohol consumption does."
Types of CBD
CBD can be used in many different forms and products. Cannabidiol can be obtained from hemp and marijuana plants, which differ in how much CBD and THC can be obtained.
The CBD of hemp plants contains only a small amount of THC, which is not enough to cause subjective psychoactive effects. However, CBD made from marijuana plants can contain varying amounts of THC, which can cause unwanted side effects.
There are three types of CBD available:
· Isolate type only includes CBD.
· Full-spectrum consists of other compounds found in the cannabis plant, including THC.
· Broad-spectrum contains other compounds of the cannabis plant, but not THC.
People may choose to use a full-spectrum product because research has shown that when cannabinoids including THC and CBD are combined, the therapeutic effect increases, a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. Research has also suggested that CBD may prevent the negative effects caused by THC.
Many people choose to take CBD orally with various tinctures, capsules, and oils.
CBD is most effective if a person uses it regularly. There is no apparent risk of developing an addiction to CBD, so long-term use may be safe for most people.
The FDA does not approve over-the-counter CBD products. It is very important to buy from trusted sources. It's also a good idea to check the results of a third-party lab that identifies the level of CBD in each product.
Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal at the federal level, but legal under some state laws. Hemp-derived CBD products that do not contain 0.3% THC are legal at the federal level but are still illegal under some state laws.
One must check the laws of their state and everywhere they travel.
Possible Side Effects
Although CBD appears to be well tolerated, this does not mean that it has no side effects. They may vary depending on the individual, some side effects include:
· Anxiety
· Mood changes
· Appetite changes
· Nausea
· Dizziness
· Drowsiness
However, understanding the potential implications is difficult due to the lack of regulations and manufacturing guidelines, which means there is no uniformity in terms of purity and labeling. In other words, it is difficult to know whether the effects of different products, formulations, and dosages are the same because it is often difficult to know exactly what is in the products currently on the market.
Conclusion
CBD is a very promising treatment for many mental health conditions. It’s important to remember that CBD can’t be used as a replacement for traditional treatments, but rather as an adjunct or supplement. If your doctor has recommended using CBD as a treatment option, you should follow their recommendations closely and ask questions about the safety and effectiveness of each compound.
Mental health is a very serious matter that is often ignored. You do not have to suffer alone. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our hemp experts to discuss how we may be able to help.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org