CBD is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors of the wellness industry. By the year 2024, consumer sales of cannabis products are predicted to reach $20 billion, according to Forbes. When it comes to medical cannabis, there are two different conversations: the one about THC and the one about CBD. Today, we’ll be focusing on CBD, and what it can do to help people with mental health conditions. CBD is the non-psychoactive component of marijuana, known for its relaxing effects. It’s commonly used for pain relief, anxiety, and depression. Of course, every person’s brain and body is different, so CBD isn’t the right choice for everyone, but it can provide symptom relief for some people. Keep reading to find out five ways that CBD may be able to help with mental health.
Table of Contents
1. Coping with Depression and Anxiety
Depression is a mental health condition caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Millions of Americans will suffer from some form of depression at some point in their life. Common symptoms include intense sadness, withdrawal, and thoughts of suicide. It’s also often associated with anxiety.
Depending on the severity of depression, patients may seek a few different treatment options.
The most common treatment sought is therapy or counseling. Many people find therapy is enough to cope with their symptoms, while others may need additional help in the form of medication. While these medications may be incredibly helpful when it comes to helping with depression, they may also cause some major side effects.
Because of the side effects of traditional antidepressants, many people have turned to more natural wellness treatments to deal with their depression. CBD is one such natural treatment that has surged in popularity in recent years. Many patients have reported the positive impacts of CBD on depression symptoms, as well as anxiety.
2. Helping with Chronic Pain
While chronic pain itself is not a mental health condition, it can certainly have a negative impact on mental health. People who suffer from chronic pain are more likely to suffer from other mental health conditions like depression. High pain levels can often limit mobility, stopping patients from participating in activities they enjoy. It can also increase feelings of isolation, especially for seniors.
CBD has shown results in relieving some amount of chronic pain in certain patients. It’s most often used topically in the form of gels or creams. It is important to note, however, that CBD products are not likely to treat the underlying condition causing chronic pain. For example, if a patient has arthritis, CBD may be able to help them cope with pain, but it won’t treat the arthritis itself.
Patients who have found CBD helpful for their chronic pain have also reported improvements in their mental health. Being able to participate in more activities, increased mobility, and lower pain levels have all been shown to improve mental health. Exercise has consistently been shown to help with depression and lowering pain levels with CBD can be one way to help increase physical activity.
3. Mitigating Addiction
Addiction can be a crippling condition that is difficult to overcome for many people. There are many factors that go into addiction, and it can take many forms. Because it is a poorly understood condition, addiction treatments can vary in efficacy and availability. Research into addiction science is a growing field, and there are currently new treatments in development.
One possible treatment for addiction is CBD. Some recent studies have shown that CBD oil may be able to change brain chemistry in ways that can be helpful in coping with addiction. Studies into this possible treatment are still underway, and it’s unclear whether CBD may be effective on its own, or in combination with another treatment. Other addiction treatments include in-patient treatment facilities, therapy, and various medications. Most addiction treatments need to be adapted to fit each person to cope with such a complex disorder.
4. Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a condition characterized by prolonged or recurring fits of psychosis. Patients typically suffer from hallucinations or delusions, as well as disorganized thinking. It’s thought to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, and typically presents for the first time in young adults before the age of 30.
Traditional treatments for schizophrenia include in-patient and out-patient therapy and medication. However, many of the antipsychotic medications prescribed also have harmful side effects like mood swings, nausea, and weight gain. CBD has recently been studied as a possible treatment for psychotic episodes. One such study found that schizophrenic patients treated with CBD showed greater improvement in their psychotic episodes than those treated with the placebo pill.
5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a psychiatric condition that is linked to a traumatic event. It’s common in victims of abuse and soldiers. It can cause traumatic flashbacks, depression, anxiety, and emotional numbness. Traditional treatments include therapy and medications, but the disease is complex and therefore there is no one size fits all treatment option.
In recent years, both CBD and THC have been investigated as possible treatments for PTSD. However, THC has been shown to have more extreme side effects. Patients who have been treated with CBD have, in some cases, reported a decrease in PTSD-related anxiety and sleep disturbances. The most common CBD products for PTSD are those that can be ingested, although topical treatments are also an option.
Conclusion
Research into CBD and its possible uses for mental health conditions is ongoing, and no firm conclusions have been reached yet. However, many people have found CBD to be an effective treatment for coping with their mental health issues. For those looking to try CBD as a mental health treatment, look no further than a Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture. Completely vegan and non-GMO, this CBD oil is quick to be absorbed by the body, and can be consumed in a variety of ways, including in beverages and food. It is available in a variety of strengths, so you can test out what concentration of CBD works best for you.
