Are you suffering from anxiety? Don’t feel embarrassed as you are not alone. The mental and physical stress due to daily challenges has caused more than 4% of the population worldwide to suffer from anxiety. People going through such mental challenges are looking for holistic options to stay calm. Why? Because medications to ease such mental issues can have long-lasting side effects. It is the reason why many turn to CBD as people swear it relieves their mental issues and boosts overall health. Due to its potential benefits, many countries have given legal status to CBD. With more studies on how to get conclusive evidence linked to the benefits of using CBD for mental health, it seems like a good option. Should you use CBD for mental well-being? Let’s see how it works and the potential benefits.
How CBD Works?
Why do people claim they feel relaxed and calm when they use CBD? Your body has an ECS (Endocannabinoid system) that has control over several functions of the body. It keeps your body in equilibrium. It contains different receptors that can control the various functions. How? Receptors are attached to cells of the body. They receive signals from the diverse stimuli experienced by the body. CBD can interact with these receptors, primarily the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS. CBD contains phytocannabinoids that facilitate this interaction. CB1 and CB2 receptors are found predominantly in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system. CBD may interact with these receptors and alter serotonin signals.
Why is serotonin important? It is an important neurotransmitter linked to your mental health. People with depression have low serotonin levels. Also, people suffering from anxiety have an insufficient amount of serotonin. CBD from reputed brands like CBDfx may help manage anxiety and other mental problems by altering serotonin levels in the body. However, you must consult a doctor before making any changes to your treatment.
Reasons Why You Need To Think About Using CBD For Mental Health
CBD may aid in managing different symptoms triggered due to mental health conditions. Here are some of the mental conditions that CBD may assist in managing.
● CBD Can Help Manage Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is the mental condition causing the affected person to interpret their reality abnormally. The disease makes you feel crippled as extremely disoriented thinking along with hallucinations and delusion starts affecting your personal and professional life. According to studies, CBD may decrease the uncertainty caused by schizophrenia. It may ease the symptoms and help you improve the quality of life.
● CBD May Aid With Addiction
Do you know addiction comes under the category of mental illness? It disturbs your normal hierarchy of needs due to the changes in the brain. It results in the addicted person changing their needs to substitute with the priorities linked to obtaining and using drugs. CBD may help in reducing addiction and the symptoms related to it.
● CBD May Ease Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental problem affecting people. Around 2% to 7% of people worldwide suffer from some form of anxiety. According to some studies, CBD may ease symptoms linked to anxiety. A study published in the Neurotherapeutics journal in 2015 indicated the potential benefits of CBD in dealing with different types of anxiety disorders. The study found CBD may offer effective results for the conditions such as:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
● CBD Can Help With Symptoms Of ADHD
ADHD or Attention Deficit Disorder causes impulsiveness and hyper activeness. The treatment for ADHD includes the use of stimulants and non-stimulants. These medications may trigger side effects in people. While you cannot substitute CBD with the medications prescribed for ADHD, this holistic option may help manage specific symptoms linked to the mental health condition. It can ease anxiety most people with ADHD suffer from. You can make CBD a part of the ADHD treatment as it may alleviate restlessness and hyperactivity. It may offer a slight improvement in brain function and may slightly reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity markers.
● CBD May Ease Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorders
Have you ever experienced an extreme change of moods? The shift from feeling giddy due to happiness to feeling extreme sadness may impact your life. Such mood swings occur when you have bipolar disorders. Due to the mood swings, you may feel depressed. If your doctor has diagnosed the condition, you need to take medication to deal with it. How can CBD help you? Taking CBD products may help you ease the overpowering symptoms triggered due to bipolar disorder such as a change in moods and nervousness. Stress is one of the triggers of bipolar disorder. According to studies, CBD may help ease stress and tension. Hence, it may help you improve the quality of life by aiding in managing such unpleasant symptoms of the mental condition.
Newbie Tips While Using CBD For Mental Well-Being
Everyone is unique, and we respond to treatments differently. It is valid for the experience you may have while using CBD. While some may find drastic changes in their mental health while using CBD products, others may feel no change. Hence, test it to check if you can see any difference. If you are using CBD for the first time, before dipping your toe into it, you need to follow specific tips to ensure the overall experience remains safe and effective.
● Make Smart Choice
Remember, CBD products have no official approval from the FDA in the USA. So, you may find low-quality CBD products that can mislead you regarding their strength and the actual THC levels. Try to shop CBD products from only a reputed source. Licensed dispensaries offer trusted products to their customers.
● Get Professional Advice
Before taking CBD products, check with your healthcare provider regarding safety. Since the medical professional has an idea of your medical history, you get professional advice on the correct dose to take.
● Use CBD At Night
CBD may cause drowsiness in some people. Hence, using it before bedtime can help you relax and sleep better. Unless your doctor suggests otherwise, stick to taking CBD after your work until you know how your body responds to it.
Conclusion
During uncertain times, you feel pressured and stressed. It can harm your physical and mental health. In such cases, try some coping mechanisms to get relief from mental issues. CBD is gaining popularity as the most sought-after alternative option to manage different mental issues. While studies linked to its potential benefits remain at infant stages, many have observed changes when using CBD supplements.