In 2017, 3.8% of the global population reported suffering from anxiety disorders, making it the most prevalent mental health condition. One out of ten people get diagnosed with a mental health disorder globally.
In the same year, 2017, a survey was conducted that found that 41% of marijuana users swapped their prescriptions for cannabis, while 40% preferred CBD products and claimed that cannabinoids were more effective for conditions like anxiety and other medical conditions.
There are many conditions that CBD may help with, although more research is needed to determine the potential effects and benefits of CBD. Some of the existing studies suggest that CBD holds promise in improving your mental health by treating many conditions, including depression, anxiety, epilepsy, and sleep issues, among other things.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of over 85 scientifically identified cannabinoids (or chemical compounds) derived from cannabis plants. Each of the cannabinoids within cannabis elicits unique neurophysiological effects.
Hemp and Marijuana are both plant species within the Cannabis family. However, while Marijuana contains high amounts of THC – the intoxicating compound responsible for "getting you high" – Hemp has a very low amount of THC, does not have psychoactive effects, and has medicinal properties. Health regulators today generally consider CBD to be safe.
How CBD Can Support Mental Health
Research has shown that CBD can effectively treat certain health conditions like cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, and depression. It can also effectively treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, among other things.
For years, depression and anxiety have been the most common mental disorders. And, for the longest time, the only effective treatments have been psychotherapy and medication. But now, people are looking to complementary and alternative therapies to help with their symptoms.
Studies show that CBD may have the potential to be a fast-acting antidepressant. It's believed to work in a similar way to antidepressants so far that it impacts how your brain's chemical receptors respond to serotonin. This chemical helps regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood.
While CBD doesn't increase serotonin levels, it slightly affects how the brain responds to the serotonin already present in your body.
CBD also helps reduce PTSD symptoms. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by symptoms like intrusive thoughts, re-experiencing traumatic events, avoidance of things that trigger memories of trauma, and nightmares.
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a study that showed that an oral dose of CBD oil combined with routine psychiatric treatment for PTSD helped reduce these symptoms.
CBD is also very effective in reducing anxiety. The Permanente Journal also published a study where 79% of the participants reported a reduction in anxiety after using CBD. It's widely agreed that CBD has anti-anxiety effects, making it effective for other anxiety conditions. More below.
In recent years, Epidiolex, an FDA-approved CBD medication, and other CBD-based drugs have been adopted to treat many health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy, and psoriasis.
*Please, Realize that CBD isn't a replacement for antidepressants or antipsychotics. If you are taking prescription medication, keep taking it until your healthcare provider says otherwise.
Even though some people swear by the effectiveness of CBD as a health remedy, we recommend talking to your healthcare provider before taking CBD products because it could interact with medications you could be taking for your mental health.
Deep into these 6 uses of CBD for supporting your mental health
CBD for Epilepsy
CBD appears to have a range of benefits for neurologic disorders, including decreasing the frequency and severity of seizures. Some of these conditions, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), may not respond well to anti-seizure medications. Viral clips of CBD treatments effectively alleviating seizures were shared widely in social media in recent years, and research has supported the effectiveness of these treatments.
A large-scale study on the use of CBD in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy found that CBD reduced the frequency of seizures by more than 50% in 43% of the patients with Dravet syndrome.4 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a cannabis-derived medication containing CBD, Epidiolex, to treat certain childhood seizure disorders.
CBD for Anxiety
Anxiety is a common problem for many people. Anxiety disorders affect an estimated 19.1% of U.S. adults each year.6 Some studies suggest that CBD may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. One study looks at the possible neural basis for CBD reducing symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
A 2015 study published in the journal Neurotherapeutics analyzed the existing preclinical studies on the use of CBD for anxiety and found that CBD was effective for many anxiety conditions, including:
Generalized anxiety disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic disorder
Social anxiety disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)8
How CBD works to reduce anxiety is still unclear, but many are turning to CBD oil with promising results. It is assumed to increase 2-AG, but researchers are not quite sure how. It is also believed to work by inhibiting the production of FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), an enzyme responsible for breaking down anandamide and activating 5-HT1A serotonin receptors – either of which helps lower anxiety.
CBD for Depression
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S., affecting an estimated 17.3 million adults each year.9 Effective treatments are available, including psychotherapy and medication, although interest in complementary and alternative therapies has also grown in recent years.
CBD has been investigated for having potential antidepressant effects. Some antidepressants work by acting on serotonin receptors in the brain. Low serotonin levels may play a role in the development of depression, and animal studies suggest that CBD might impact these receptors, which may produce antidepressant effects.
A 2018 study found that the antidepressant-like effects that CBD produces depend upon the serotonin levels in the brain. Cannabidiol does not appear to increase serotonin levels but instead affects how the brain responds to serotonin already present in your body.
CBD for Sleep Difficulties
Because CBD may have a calming effect, it may also hold promise in treating sleeping difficulties. Sleep is a critical component of mental health and well-being, yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a third of U.S. adults do not get the recommended amount of sleep each night. This is problematic since not getting enough sleep is linked to health conditions such as depression, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
One study conducted with adults who had anxiety and poor sleep symptoms found that 65% experienced improvements in sleep quality scores after a month of taking an average of 25mg of CBD daily, although those scores fluctuated over time. Further research is needed to determine the possible effects of CBD on sleep.
CBD for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD affects approximately 6.1% of U.S. adults. It is characterized by symptoms including re-experiencing traumatic events, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and avoidance of things that may trigger memories of the trauma.
Some research suggests that CBD may help reduce the symptoms of this condition. In one study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, researchers found that an oral dose of CBD in addition to routine psychiatric treatment for PTSD was associated with a reduction in symptoms.
Should You Try CBD for your mental health?
If you are experiencing a mental health condition, you can see a psychiatrist or a mental health expert about CBD.
If you want to include more CBD in your traditional therapies, consult with a healthcare provider who will help you track your symptoms. Based on your symptoms and the drugs you are taking, your doctor may suggest products and dosages suitable for you.
While CBD holds promise, a recent comprehensive review of the research suggests that support for the mental health uses of CBD remains insufficient. This 2019 study was published in The Lancet Psychiatry and looked at 83 studies on CBD use to treat mental illness.
The review concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the use of CBD in the treatment of mental health conditions.
This does not mean that CBD isn't necessarily effective; of the studies reviewed, most only included a small number of participants, followed participants for a short period of time, and less than half were randomized controlled trials.
Instead, this study suggests that there isn't yet enough high-quality evidence to support the use of CBD to treat mental conditions. This may change in the future as more research is carried out.
Many experts remain optimistic that CBD may prove helpful in a range of mental health conditions. "CBD has shown therapeutic efficacy in a range of animal models of anxiety and stress, reducing both behavioral and physiological (e.g., heart rate) measures of stress and anxiety," suggested Nora D. Volkow, the Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse in testimony presented to the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
Types of CBD oil to choose from,
There are three main types of CBD available.
Isolate contains only CBD
Full-spectrum contains other compounds found in the cannabis plant, including tiny amounts of THC
Broad-spectrum contains other compounds from the cannabis plant but not THC
People may choose to take a full-spectrum product because research has shown that when cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, are taken together, it magnifies the therapeutic impact, a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. Research also suggests that CBD can counteract the adverse effects caused by THC.
Some of the ways that CBD can be used include:
Oral: CBD oil tinctures, CBD sprays
Topical: CBD salves or CBD lotions that are applied to the skin (may produce localized effects, but only those taken by mouth are likely to produce any mental health effects.)
Edibles: This can include CBD candies, CBD gummies, and CBD beverages.
Inhaled: Some CBD oils are specially formulated to be used as vaping oil, although there has been an increase in concern about the health dangers posed by vaping.
It is important to note that while there is a wide variety of CBD products available on the market, not all CBD products are created equal.
That's why we recommend reading our post, ¨Find The Best CBD Oil For You In The USA¨
You can also check, Legalizing CBD Process.
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Always remember: Having the right attitude and mindset can literally change your life.
You should still consult an attorney for the best legal advice regarding CBD oil in your state, as the material shared here is for informational purposes only.
Disclaimer: The Legalizing CBD page contains general information about health, diet, lifestyle, and nutrition. Any information provided should not be considered or treated as medical advice, and always consult a medical professional before making any lifestyle changes. Products and information mentioned on the Legalizing CBD blog are not intended to be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Any links to third-party websites are provided conveniently, and Legalizing CBD is not responsible for their content.
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