As people who suffer from anxiety and depression are increasingly becoming interested in alternative treatments for these mental ailments, more light gets shed on the positive results of cannabis-derived products. With the legalization of hemp products in the US and the increase of medical research about the therapeutic effect of cannabinoids, the hype grows every day a bit more. Many people opt for the unconventional yet effective option of using CBD oil for anxiety and depression. If you’re interested in understanding how to use CBD oil for anxiety, how CBD interacts with the human body, and how you can consume CBD, read on.
Anxiety and depression are something that almost 40 million people in the US have experienced in their lifetime. It can get in the way of many day-to-day activities, making those who suffer from it sleepless for weeks or unable to concentrate on daily tasks such as working or studying. Constant high levels of stress hormones can cause our entire body to become imbalanced and the immune system to weaken. As these conditions can lead to more serious mental illnesses, most people take prescribed medications to deal with anxiety and depression.
CBD products are recently proven to be an alternative or a complementary therapy to medication for managing anxiety and other mental illnesses. Before diving into how to use CBD oil for anxiety, let’s learn more about the science behind how it affects our bodies and brain.
CBD oil for depression and anxiety: How it affects our brain
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the compounds of the cannabis plant. While it does not contain any psychoactive effects like THC, it can bring numerous therapeutic benefits, including calming properties for anxiety and stress. These effects of cannabinoids in the brain are possible thanks to the endocannabinoid system, which is present in the human body and crucial for an overall state of balance, also known as homeostasis.
We all have an endocannabinoid system; even if we never had any contact with cannabis, we were born with them. The endocannabinoid system got this name because the use of cannabis was what led to its discovery. The cannabinoids on the cannabis plant affect the endocannabinoid receptors, which help control our bodily functions, such as appetite, digestion, pain relief, immune response, inflammations, sleep, and coping with stress and anxiety.
So how does CBD interact with our endocannabinoid system? It helps our body reach the state of homeostasis and helps the brain function to stay more balanced when stress levels spike. Many patients and researchers have reported that CBD has a soothing and calming effect on mood and stress levels, similar to meditation.
CBD oil also has anxiolytic, antidepressant-like properties and can have a similar effect to other drugs to reduce stress and anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) usually work by targeting the serotonin system in the human body, they stop the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, making sure that there’s more serotonin present in the synaptic space. CBD works similarly to these drugs and also increases 5-TH1A transmissions and affects serotonin faster than SSRIs. In short, CBD can help your brain to absorb more serotonin, producing antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.
CBD oil for anxiety and depression: How to use it
Before choosing CBD oil as a primary or complementary treatment for your anxiety or depression, it’s highly suggested that you talk to your physician and discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment. Although many people report positive results, there are no scientific pieces of evidence of how CBD oil can interact with other medications and treatments you are taking or may be exposed to. Your doctor can also advise you on the correct daily dosage to get the desired effect.
On the positive side, according to Mayo Clinic, CBD oil is usually safe and very well tolerated as there aren’t many side effects other than inducing sleep and increasing appetite. Many people use CBD oil for depression and anxiety very effectively.
Choose from many presentations: How to use CBD oil for anxiety and depression
The CBD extract, isolated CBD oil or full-spectrum oil, can come in various forms, such as oils, tinctures, vape pens, infused drinks, topics, and even edibles such as chocolate. However, choose pure extract oil to ensure you get the maximum benefit from it. Although pure CBD oil can have an off taste, it has a higher amount of CBD present in its composition when compared to the other presentations, such as tinctures and edibles.
You can regularly use the oils or tinctures by placing them under your tongue twice a day or whenever you feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or need a better sleep quality without waking up groggy in the morning. Many experienced doctors recommend using CBD only as a supplement to comprehensive pressure and depression treatment plans, not as a substitute. A holistic approach to dealing with anxiety and depression disorders, including psychotherapy, meditation, and pharmaceutical treatments, can undoubtedly include CBD oil.
If you suffer from anxiety and have had no relief from other treatments, it could be an alternative to exploring CBD oil for anxiety and depression. Suppose you are considering adopting CBD oil for depression and anxiety, besides speaking with a trusted medical professional that has experience with CBD. In that case, you should look up CBD laws in your state or country, and anywhere you travel.
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