How CBD can help people with anxiety and depression

By Claire Dukes - 10 September 2019

Health

With marijuana legalisation sweeping many cities and countries around the world, cannabis is finally getting its 15 minutes of fame, if not more.

For the countries or states that still haven’t legalized marijuana, some have legalized cannabidiol (CBD); it is found naturally in the cannabis plant and doesn’t include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This means that you won’t get the euphoric high you do with marijuana, but you’ll reap many benefits. Research has shown that CBD has a myriad of health benefits, and helps symptoms of anxiety and depression is one of them. 

How it Works 

CBD affects our body’s receptors, which are found in our central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. When we consume CBD through many different sources like using oil, gummies, wax, or vaping, it helps adjust the signals we receive and sent to the brain. There are still research and studies being conducted to understand exactly how CBD works through our bodies and brains, but for now, it has been proven to reduce anxiety and help with some symptoms of depression

How it Helps Depression 

Depression is a mental health condition that affects your wellbeing in terms of reducing serotonin in your brain, which generally causes feelings of happiness and content. While CBD isn’t really a cure for depression, it can improve the symptoms by influencing your serotonin levels and your emotional state. Initial studies have shown that it helps regulate your mood while other studies have proven that it can be used as an antidepressant. 

How it Helps Anxiety

Initial studies have also shown that using CBD in any form, whether it’s CBD oil, CBD Gummies, hemp oil, vaping, or using CBD wax can improve symptoms associated with anxiety as well. It can trigger serotonin receptors and regulates your mood as well as affecting your body’s endocannabinoid system. Using as little as a gummy or even a 300mg of oil can reduce panic attacks, anxiety, or even severe social anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, or OCD. Some studies have also shown that it also helps with sleep deprivation due to high anxiety levels. 

Risks and Safety 

Although more research needs to be conducted, there haven’t been any drastic risks since CBD has proven to help with short-term anxiety issues and improve some symptoms relating to depression. It even helps those who haven’t received any relief from other medications and CBD serves as an alternative solution. Always consult your physician to find out if this treatment is the right one for your condition. 

There haven’t been any drastic side effects either, but you might experience some dizziness and fatigue if you’re sensitive to compounds in the CBD. You also need to consult your doctor if you’re taking any other medications to prevent drug interaction. One thing you also need to be sure of is using trusted sources that are FDA-approved. 

Going through depression and anxiety without treating them can be quite crippling and will affect your quality of life. There is a ton of alternative solutions you can try, which include CBD, which helps alleviate your symptoms. Always consult your physician and explore what CBD can do to improve your condition. 

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