Now more than ever, due to the current and challenging circumstances of lockdown, there has been a surge in people suffering from poor mental health daily, with one in every ten individuals diagnosed with a mental disorder globally. In fact, 80% of these individuals have declared that Covid-19 has made their symptoms worse and the isolation and loneliness that comes with it. Serious and severe mental health illnesses can have widespread impacts throughout our bodily functions, and anxiety disorder, in particular, is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and psychiatric illness.
Improving our mental health may no longer be as simple as talking to a friend on the phone or relying on our daily medication to keep our symptoms at bay – It could be that you are in search of something that will treat the problem, not mask it.
Are you looking for a natural way to boost your mood? Do you need something that won’t cause havoc on your body, that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals with nasty side effects? Then, let us introduce you to CBD and tell about its potential in improving your mental health.
What Is CBD?
CBD, widely known as cannabidiol, is one of the many active compounds found in the Cannabis plant. To provide various health benefits, CBD is thought to interfere with the cell-signalling endocannabinoid system involved in many bodily functions, including stress, mood, sleep, energy, etc. A positive effect on this complex system means that intake of CBD oil can help to bring the body in balance and provide relief.
Unlike its psychotropic counterpart, the compound THC, CBD is non-intoxicating; therefore, you won’t get high. It is also non-addictive, won’t trigger severe side effects and is considered generally safe for consumption.
Cannabis has provided a valuable healing source throughout history, which goes back centuries. The first use of cannabis-extracted medicine stretches right back to 2737 BC, when the Chinese Emperor Sheng Nung used tea infused with cannabis to treat several diseases, such as malaria, rheumatism, memory loss, and gout, therefore not only treating physical but mental issues too. From this moment forward, its success paved the way for CBD to become popular and extended throughout Asia, the Middle East, and the coast of Africa.
A study published by Irish physician and medical researcher William B. O’Shaughnessy, which outlined the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, opened the doors towards the discovery of compounds that would one day be called cannabinoids; therefore other researchers began to consider the medical applications of cannabis in modern medicine.
CBD & Mental Health
Preclinical tests have strongly shown that CBD oil can be used to supplement the treatment of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and schizophrenia – Anxiety being the most common due to its anti-compulsive and panic effects on the brain. Research also founds that it can be effective in treating depression, PTSD and sleep disorders.
A study was carried out on a group of participants who had a social anxiety disorder, where they would ingest CBD capsules before they took part in a speaking task. The compound was proven to reduce levels of stress significantly, in comparison to a placebo. Volunteers then took a CBD capsule following the consumption of THC. Both elements combined reduced signs of anxiety, thus proving that CBD is effective in anxiety disorders and that the psychoactive properties of THC can indeed be beneficial to the pathological process and nervous system.
It seems that due to its non-intoxicating properties, CBD can help aid in concentration and focus. It is said that it can support the brain’s area, which processes memories and emotions, known as the hippocampus, therefore taking a daily amount of CBD can boost our overall wellbeing and emotional state.
Many people are turning towards alternative medicine to treat themselves, as synthetic treatment costs are so expensive, and maybe doing them more harm than good. Often, anxiety patients are turning down medical treatment and cognitive behavioural therapy due to cannabidiol being so effective. What’s more, there are no long-term risks associated with taking it.
How To Use CBD For Mental Health
Wondering how to integrate CBD into your wellness routine? Success with CBD means recognising that the supplement is only one potential step on the path to wellbeing. Talking with your doctor and understanding the difference between CBD products is essential for maintaining good mental health.
Talk To Your Doctor
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact a medical professional right away. Always talk to your doctor or a healthcare provider before trying any CBD product, especially if you are already taking prescription medications. CBD may negatively interact with certain medications, including psychiatric drugs.
Create A Holistic Wellness Routine
CBD is just one of several steps to wellbeing. As with any herbal supplement, the most significant benefit comes from integrating CBD into a holistic wellness routine that combines therapy, stress relief and social support.
CBD For Immediate Relief
Adding CBD vape oil to your vape pen is one of the popular methods to receive immediate relief when stress and anxiety strike. The active effects of inhaled CBD can be felt within mere minutes after use. For those in the midst of an anxiety attack, a fast-acting CBD product may be preferable.
CBD For Stress Prevention
Many people prefer to buy CBD oil or capsules to experience long-lasting effects and prevent immediate relief. The active effects of these products can take a minimum of one hour to take effect. With a long lead-up time, they’re not the best products to quell stress and anxiety at the moment.
Instead, many people take capsules and oils for sustained relief during the day. Some consumers opt to take oral CBD as-needed on, particularly problematic days. Others, however, may prefer to take oils or capsules as a regular supplement.
Identify Suitable CBD Dose
The CBD doses that you would take can vary depending on the purpose and type of distress that you might be experiencing. Fortunately, resources detailing the steps to dosing CBD exist, and they can be a big help to those interested in getting an optimal dose so they can avoid unwanted side effects – however rare and mild these might be. And since people react to CBD differently, you don’t need to fret if you find you have to do some trial and error to find the dosage that works for you.
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