CBD for Mental Well Being?

Can CBD can Help with Mental Well Being?

Mental well being issues that affect about 7% of the country every year, can be a debilitating condition. Symptoms can include constant pessimism and sadness, lack of willpower, intractable anxiety, and loss of energy. Commonly prescribed treatments include antidepressants and SSRIs. These medications can be effective in some people.

Unfortunately, such conventional medications come with a spotty record; only 20% of those who take these medications actually get better. The incidental effects can be a serious concern as well. From emotional flatness to cloudy thinking and loss of libido, medications prescribed for depression can make life miserable.

For people who find that conventional medicines don’t work for them, or the side effects seem intolerable, there is an alternative that is increasingly gaining public attention. It’s a natural component called CBD, and CBD for the relief of depression is growing in popularity.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound found in many plants. From black pepper to cacao, different plants contain CBD in different quantities. CBD is available most abundantly in the hemp plant, however. CBD is also produced by the human body’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps the body regulate regular bodily functions, such as digestion, sleep, and the ability to feel pain.

CBD from hemp does not make you feel high

Marijuana contains a psychotropic substance THC, which is what gets people high. CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, however, and is therefore nearly free from THC. Those who use CBD do not feel high. Instead, they only feel soothed. This is one of the effects of CBD that could make it suitable for use with depression.

Can CBD help those with mental well being issues?

CBD does not directly help depression, and it does not cure it. There is little research or evidence available at the moment that directly investigates the effects of CBD on depression. Yet, CBD may be able to help with many symptoms often seen associated with depression, like the following:

Relief from pain: Research has demonstrated the analgesic capabilities of CBD. This is the reason why CBD is often used for relief in painful conditions associated with depression.

Regulation of sleep: Insomnia is a big part of depression. CBD studies have revealed that the use of CBD sometimes helps patients benefit from improved sleep patterns.

Mood regulation: People who experience depression report to enduring an overwhelming sense of sadness. The condition alters levels of transmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Some research exists to show that CBD helps promote neurotransmitter balance in the brain

Stress and anxiety: Those who use CBD may see improvements to the stress and anxiety levels that they experience.

Diet regulation: Depression usually comes with poor appetite. CBD works with the neurotransmitters that control appetite, which could establish a regular desire for the pleasure of eating.

Addressing the symptoms of depression alone may not qualify as therapy, but it could offer a great deal of relief for those who suffer them every day. CBD products, such as oils, are inexpensive and easy to consume. A few drops of oil placed sublingually a couple of times a day is all that it takes to potentially gain the benefits of CBD for relief from depression.