Cannabis has long been prohibited in some parts of the country, but it has been used for almost 5,000 years due to its health benefits. Cannabis has more than 100 cannabinoids, but the most well-known compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But lately, another psychoactive compound known as cannabidiol or CBD becomes prevalent due to its potential health benefits.
TCH is highly regulated by most state law because it has the effect of making you high. The good thing about CBD is that it does not provide such an effect, and it has been proven to be a cure for various health-related problems. From sleep problems and back pain to depression and other mental health issues.
How CBD Can Treat Mental Health Symptoms
Several studies show that CBD is not addictive, like THC. It does not have any negative side effects of withdrawal or tolerance. CBD is shown to be effective in treating various health conditions, such as epilepsy, glaucoma, inflammation, pain, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. It is also shown to be helpful in gut diseases such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastric ulcers.
Here are some mental health problems that can be prevented or treated by CBD:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Although CBD does not affect the cognitive performance and attention of an individual with ADHD, it has a positive effect on impulsivity and hyperactivity. As of now, there is little scientific evidence that it can help treat ADHD. But most people who self-medicate and include CBD in their ADHD treatment help them deal with various symptoms such as restlessness or hyperactivity.
Anxiety
Yes, anxiety itself is not considered a mental disorder. But feelings of anxiety may lead to mental health problems. And unexplained anxiety may already be considered as a mental health issue. CBD has been found to reduce sympathetic arousal and self-anxiety. It also helps in relieving anxiety, especially for those people who have social phobia.
Depression
There are limited studies regarding the use of CBD for depression in humans since most studies are done using animals. But in several studies, it is shown that CBD helps in depression, especially in dealing with cognitive impairment, discomfort before public speaking, and anxiety. Other symptoms that are linked to depression, such as chronic pain, can also be reduced by CBD.
Sleep
We are already aware of how sleep is essential for us to function properly. Several studies show that CBD can help people with insomnia. Using around 160 mg, CBD can improve sleep quality. Anyway, poor sleep can be caused by physical conditions, caffeine, medication, environmental factors, and mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And we just learned earlier that CBD could help with these mental health disorders, which can be a cause of your poor sleep quality.
PTSD
Around 6.1 percent of people in the US have PTSD. It usually presents various symptoms, such as changes in mood, cognition, and arousal. Several studies show that people who take CBD decreased their symptoms of CBD. The good news is that using CBD as a treatment is well tolerated and has not shown any serious side effects, although a few patients complained of gastrointestinal discomfort and fatigue.
Bipolar Disorder and Mania
Bipolar disorder is a mental health problem that can cause mood changes. This can include manic episodes and depressive episodes. These changes in mood can be unpredictable and extreme. Some experts have confirmed that the compounds in marijuana, such as CBD, can treat symptoms of bipolar disorder such as inflammation, nausea, pain, muscle control issue, and appetite loss.
Schizophrenia
According to studies, people who have schizophrenia are most likely to use cannabis, which could worsen their psychotic symptoms. THC is said to worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia, but the good news is that CBD can help alleviate the effect of THC. Specifically, CBD is said to limit the effect of THC in terms of cognitive impairment. At the same time, it helps in improving cognitive function.
Improve Thinking and Memory
CBD is not detrimental to our memory. Besides, it is shown to reduce cognitive impairment caused by trauma, age, and memory disorders such as PTSD and promote neurogenesis. The World Health Organization even conducted a study regarding CBD, and it found out that such has almost no health risks. There are no shown physiological responses- whether negative or positive- and no negative health effects on our memory.
Conclusion:
Although there are only a few studies regarding the benefits of CBD when it comes to mental health problems, most of these studies show a positive effect. That is why people who are aware of this information tend to opt to use CBD. But then CBD is not considered legal in many states, so before you should use it, it is best to check for your state law. And also, you need to talk to your doctor first. Your doctor knows what is best for you.
Anastasia Filipenko is a health and wellness psychologist, dermatolist and a freelance writer. She frequently covers beauty and skincare, food trends and nutrition, health and fitness and relationships. When she’s not trying out new skincare products, you’ll find her taking a cycling class, doing yoga, reading in the park, or trying a new recipe.
