According to the WHO, 25% of the world’s people face mental health problems. The most unfortunate factor is that there are many barriers to treatment for mental health conditions. For instance, over 115 million Americans live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals.
The demand for mental health care is increasing as mental health professionals become overwhelmed. Lack of insurance coverage for mental health services also makes accessing treatment difficult. Paying for these services from your pocket can be darn expensive.
There are alternatives that can help and are less expensive. Keep reading to find out 5 ways that CBD improves mental health.
Rise of CBD in Healthcare
Once stigmatized due to its relations to THC, CBD is today deemed safe for treating a range of health issues. More countries are now adopting Cannabis legislation. This is because the entire cannabis plant is useful for medical applications.
In the USA and Canada, cannabis has established a large recreational user market. CBD thrives both as a medicinal and a recreational product. Today, most recreational consumers will use CBD products to relax.
In medicine, CBD is now in demand to remedy sleep disorders, anxiety and depression. Research shows that CBD’s medical applications can grow its market value to 2.5 billion USD by 2026. Still, CBD’s recreational forms, such as vapes, are likely to propel the industry’s growth.
CBD is legal in most states and it’s non-psychoactive, unlike THC. If you’re consuming it, you don’t have to worry about a drug test or abusing it.
Most people looking for a quick relief usually consume it sublingually or orally. They’ll use vape pens to get CBD into the bloodstream. This produces the desired effects within 20 minutes. Have a look at some of the safest vape pens in the market at the https://openvapeshop.com/.
Many Americans have resorted to affordable brain-boosting alternatives. 40% opted for CBD, citing its efficiency in treating anxiety and mental health issues. CBD is also a handy alternative for folks who may not afford healthcare costs.
1. CBD Improves Mental Health by Stabilizing Moods and Boosting Sleep
Sleep is essential for good physical health and mental well-being. Lack of sleep can affect moods and leave you irritated or exhausted. In the long run, sleep problems may also result in anxiety, as well as cause depression and bipolar disorder.
Sleep problems can cause or worsen mental health. Dr. Michael J. Breus, a clinical psychologist, recommends CBD for sleep patients. He says CBD has anti-anxiety, relaxing and mood-stabilizing properties so it can be useful in treating insomnia.
CBD can also boost sleep cycles. It can also be effective in treating REM sleeping abnormalities.
2. CBD is a Stress Reliever
Ongoing stress may lead to many health issues. Stress can also lead to many mental problems, including depression and anxiety. Fighting stress from the onset can help avoid frightening consequences such as depression.
One way to overcome stress and improve mental health and general well-being is to use CBD. Scientists have observed that CBD leads to increased release of the anandamide hormone. The hormone helps boost moods and triggers happiness in human beings.
CBD inhibits the release of the FAAH enzyme. This chemical handles the breaking down of anandamide. Reduced FAAH allows the elevation of anandamide in your system which results in a feeling of bliss and exuberant moods.
3. CBD is an FDA Approved Remedy for Epileptic Seizures
Epilepsy isn’t a mental health issue but medics link it to mental health. Epilepsy patients are more likely to suffer from autism, ADHD or depression. Likewise, people with autism, ADHD or depression are more exposed to epileptic seizures.
Good news─ CBD can improve mental health and also reduce the risk of epilepsy. CBD can even cure epilepsy and save patients from facing mental health issues.
Trysten, an epilepsy patient at Texas Medical Center, narrated his experience using CBD. He had tried other medications for five years to no avail.
He says, “My life has improved so much”. Trysten became less distracted at school and his performance vastly improved. In his first month of using CBD, the frequent seizures dropped to one.
The FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD oral solution, in 2018. The drug can treat two epilepsy syndromes. That’s the Dravet Syndrome and the Lennox Gastaut syndrome. This is also the first-ever FDA-approved CBD drug after years of studying CBD use in treating neurological conditions.
4. CBD for Anxiety and Depression
CBD may also help treat anxiety, the most prevalent mental health problem in the USA. As per the National Institute of Mental Health, 31.1% of US adults suffer anxiety disorders.
CBD can also be an effective treatment for various chronic anxiety disorders, including:
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
Studies show CBD interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. This helps regulate anxiety and depression symptoms. Studies on animal models also show CBD has anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties.
5. CBD Regulates the Endocannabinoid System
CBD may promote general well-being by enhancing moods, appetite and memory. CBD attaches to cannabinoid receptors to prompt the release of anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol. It also delays their intake into the endocannabinoid hence improved mental health.
The anandamide operates in the endocannabinoid system. It’s responsible for better memory, appetite, and moods and may also help pregnancies by boosting fertility. The 2-ArachidonoylGlycerol enhances emotional well-being. It also produces a contented feeling like experiencing an orgasm.
Endocannabinoids, such as anandamide, regulate every physiological function in the body. Inadequate production of them may lead to clinical endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome (CECD). Medics associate the condition with mental problems such as chronic anxiety and PTSD. Medical experts believe CBD can inhibit the factors that usually exasperate CECD.
CBD Improves Mental Health
Enough research and clinical evidence are supporting CBD’s efficiency in improving mental health. CBD helps in treating many issues that can lead to serious mental problems. It’s also a natural remedy and non-addictive hence safer than many antidepressants. Yet, talk to a mental health professional before dropping your medications for CBD.
If you’re thinking of trying CBD for your own mental health, remember to consult a medical professional prior to trying. For more tips and advice on CBD, vaping and the likes, check out our blog.
