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How CBD Can Help with Mental Health

Today, mental health is a mounting concern in our society. More and more people are struggling with conditions like anxiety and depression, and traditional treatments often don’t help or come with a set of their own adverse side effects. Thankfully, CBD has recently shown potential in helping specific mental health issues. Here’s what we know so far.

How CBD Interacts with the Body

When it comes to your mental and emotional health, it’s important to understand how CBD interacts with the body. Research suggests that CBD works by interacting with our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is a network of receptors and neurotransmitters that help regulate many crucial bodily functions, including sleep, appetite, pain, immune response, and mood. The ECS is also thought to play a role in mental health. Studies have shown that imbalances in the endocannabinoid system may contribute to conditions like anxiety and depression. When our body’s systems are imbalanced, it can be difficult to feel our best mentally. This is where CBD comes in. Ingesting CBD helps to potentially encourage balance in the ECS, which may help alleviate some of the symptoms of mental health conditions.

CBD’s Effects on Mental Health

There is still much research needed on CBD and mental health, but what we know so far looks promising.   CBD is purported to help with a variety of mental health conditions, including:

Depression

By interacting with the ECS, CBD may help encourage balance and alleviate some negative symptoms associated with depression. A recent 2019 study showed that CBD had immediate antidepressant-like effects in rats after only one dose.   Additionally, CBD may work on depression by increasing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation. Low serotonin levels are linked to depression.

Anxiety

Anecdotally, CBD is also commonly used to help with anxiety. In addition, many users report feeling more relaxed and calmer after taking CBD. When we experience anxiety, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. This response is typically characterized by an increased heart rate, sweating, and a sense of danger or impending doom. CBD may help to calm the body’s response and alleviate some of the symptoms associated with anxiety. Since CBD may potentially alleviate stress, this can be helpful for those with PTSD, social anxiety, and other forms of anxiety. So far, research seems promising. For example, a 2011 study showed CBD helped reduce anxiety in people participating in a simulation designed to mimic speaking in public.

Sleep Disorders

The quality and consistency of our sleep can significantly impact our mental health. Poor sleep can lead to conditions like anxiety and depression, as well as cognitive difficulties. Recent preliminary research suggests that CBD may help to improve sleep quality in those with insomnia and other sleep disorders. CBD is also believed to interact with our body’s levels of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep.

Conclusion

More research is needed to determine the full extent of CBD’s effects on mental health. However, the existing studies are encouraging and suggest that CBD may be a helpful addition to or replacement for traditional treatment plans. If you are considering using CBD for mental health, it’s essential to speak with your doctor first. They can help you make an informed, personalized decision and monitor your progress. When first starting a CBD routine, it’s also important to start slow and increase your dosage gradually. Have you tried using CBD for mental health? Let us know your thoughts about CBD in the comments below.

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