In the past few years, public interest in CBD has increased sharply. This is primarily attributed to the acceptance of marijuana as the perfect antidote for physical and psychological disorders. The marijuana plant is rich in cannabidiol, or CBD, which is a compound that eases depression and anxiety, which are the most prevalent symptoms of poor mental health.
Today, a big chunk of the global population suffers from some form of mental disorder. The long-established interventions for mental disorders, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmaceutical medications, have proved to be either ineffective or causal factors of adverse side effects.
Unlike the THC cannabinoid, CBD oil doesn’t leave you with a high feeling, and neither does it intoxicated you in any way. Here’s how CBD can help treat common mental disorders.
Anxiety
For years, marijuana has been touted as the perfect antidote for anxiety. CBD alters the way the brain’s receptors react to serotonin, a compound associated with mental health. A recent study established that a 600mg CBD dose offers relief to individuals who are battling anxiety. Similar studies have confirmed that CBD relieves anxiety by:
- Suppressing stress
- Reducing the psychological impacts of anxiety, including increased heart rate
- Improves the symptoms of PTSD
- Induces sleep among individuals who suffer from insomnia
Some people buy CBD online for recreational purposes. Even among these individuals, CBD reduces self-reported anxiety. Also, CBD helps to reduce the symptoms of social anxiety disorder. According to a 2015 study paper that was published in the Journal of Neurotherapeutics Journal, CBD can be used to manage anxiety conditions effectively, including:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
CBD and Depression Treatment
The National Institute of Mental Health highlights depression as the most prevalent mental disorders among Americans. Up to 35% of American adults suffer from depression. Effective treatments for depression are available, and these include pharmaceutical medication and psychotherapy. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative and complementary treatments such as marijuana medication.
CBD oil has an anti-depressant effect. It stimulates the brain’s serotonin receptors, thus producing an anti-depressant effect. CBD doesn’t increase serotonin levels, but it affects how your brain responds to the serotonin that’s already present in the body. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression. By altering how the brain’s chemical receptors respond to serotonin, CBD produces an anti-depressant effect.
CBD appears to have some notable benefits for depression, especially when dealing with cognitive impairment and discomfort when speaking in public. Furthermore, it has an anti-stress effect, and thus reduces depression associated with stress. Even though the use of marijuana to treat depression isn’t widespread yet, ongoing research will better understand CBD and its anti-depressant benefits.
When it comes to managing depression, CBD has some benefits over traditional anti-depressant medications. The anti-depressant medications that you’ll come across take weeks to take effect. On the other hand, CBD has an instant and long-term anti-depressant effect.
Unlike most anti-depressant medications, CBD doesn’t produce any side effects, provided that you use it in the recommended doses. The adverse side effects of anti-depressant medications include mood swings, agitation, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. CBD oil isn’t associated with any of these side effects.
CBD and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment
CBD is a natural solution for improving the symptoms of PTSD patients. Typically, PTSD affects individuals who have experienced trauma in the past. This includes rape survivors, war veterans and victims, and accident survivors. PTSD results from a breakdown in extinction learning, which is the natural reduction of conditioned learning over a long period.
The non-psychoactive effects of CBD can help diminish the symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety. CBD affects the endocannabinoid system and plays a significant role in nervous system function. It also regulates emotional behaviors and responses to memories of the traumatic events that you might have experienced in the past.
Research also shows that CBD oil is useful when it comes to lessening fear memories. It also improves sleep. Nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, helps block trauma-related flashbacks and nightmares among individuals who don’t respond to traditional interventions. PTSD patients get to experience instant results and other CBD benefits without the risk of adverse side effects.
CBD and Bipolar Treatment
Bipolar disorder is a severe mental disorder that causes extreme changes in an individual’s mood. The mood swings are characterized by high, manic episodes and low, depressive episodes, and tend to be unpredictable and extreme. Individuals who are battling bipolar disorder may also experience the symptoms of psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations.
The emotional lows and highs of bipolar disorder can affect your life significantly. Although there’s no known treatment for bipolar disorder, the available treatments can help manage the symptoms, thus enabling patients to live normally. Since marijuana has an anxiety-relieving effect, it can improve the moods of individuals who are battling bipolar disorder. It also enables them to have a positive outlook of themselves.
Which Marijuana Strains Are Recommended for Mental Wellness?
There are many marijuana strains in the market. Besides, marijuana contains different cannabinoids, which act differently on the body. For instance, THC can worsen the symptoms of poor mental health. Therefore, it’s essential to purchase the right marijuana strains and use suitable cannabinoids. Here are some of the cannabis strains that can improve your mental wellbeing:
- Girl Scout Cookies
This hybrid strain is known for its ability to reduce stress. It leaves users with a feeling of spiritual relaxation and is perfect for those looking for mental balance.
- Jack Herer
No marijuana strain turns a frown upside down more than Jack Herer. Thanks to its anti- depressant benefits, this strain enhances your mood. It’s perfect for individuals who are battling depression.
- Pennywise
If you are battling bipolar disorder, this is the perfect marijuana strain for you. Pennywise helps to stabilize the debilitating mood swings associated with bipolar disorder.
The emotional lows and highs of bipolar disorder can affect your life significantly. Although there’s no known treatment for bipolar disorder, the available treatments can help manage the symptoms, thus enabling patients
Key Takeaway
CBD is an effective antidote for mental health disorders. It can help treat the symptoms of severe mental conditions. With the growing interest in medical marijuana to treat mental health disorders, more people will embrace weed.
