What CBD Oil Can Do for Your Mental Health

Mental health has been and continues to be a significant health problem for communities across the globe. 

With many having to adapt to the effects of the current pandemic, including distress from lost income, isolation, fear, or bereavement, there has been an increase in demand for mainstream and alternative treatment options for mental health conditions. 

Among the alternative treatment and management options is cannabidiol (CBD), one of the more than 80 compounds extracted from the cannabis plant. 

CBD has become a popular alternative treatment for people suffering from different mental health conditions. An increasing body of research continues to link CBD oil and other iterations to a number of benefits for mental health, including treatment and management of anxiety, depression, epilepsy, arthritis and other mental issues. 

Here’s a look at some of the mental health benefits associated with the use of CBD oil, a popular derivative of CBD. 

Anxiety 

Every year, millions of adults globally seek help for anxiety-related conditions. Treatment in conventional medical facilities is often out of reach for the average individual working a minimum wage job, with many turning to CBD as a cost-effective alternative treatment.  

One study published in 2015 found CBD to be effective for several anxiety conditions, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and social anxiety disorder. 

The study, which was published in the Neurotherapeutics journal, looked at several preclinical studies that analyzed the use of CBD for different anxiety disorders. The authors here, however, called for more explorative research to better understand these therapeutic effects. 

Improved Sleep 

A good night’s sleep is a crucial component of mental health and overall wellbeing. However, over 30 percent of American adults don’t get enough sleep as recommended by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC). Inadequate sleep has been linked to many health conditions, including heart disease, depression, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, making it a significant health issue.

And because of the calming effects of CBD, CBD oil is gradually becoming a good alternative treatment for sleep difficulties. A study published in 2019 found that 65 percent of individuals with sleep difficulties and anxiety experienced improvements in symptoms after using 25mg of CBD daily over a month-long period. 

And even though these numbers fluctuated over time afterward, they provide a good evidence base for CBD oil and other CBD formulations for sleep difficulties.

Effective Antidepressant   

Every year, about 17 million adult Americans seek help for depression, making it one of the most rampant mental illnesses in the US. And with the current coronavirus pandemic showing signs of persisting into the future, the number of people suffering from depression will only continue to rise. 

While conventional treatments exist for different types of depression, CBD has become a popular alternative method of treatment. 

Many antidepressants work by influencing how serotonin, a neurotransmitter, is produced and its interaction with receptors in your brain. Studies have linked low levels of serotonin with depression, which is why treatments for depression and anxiety often target serotonin levels or work to stimulate serotonin receptors in your brain. 

CBD has been shown to act on these receptors by increasing their ability to interact with serotonin, thus producing antidepressant effects without actually increasing the amount of serotonin circulating in your body. 

Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is another common mental health disorder, affecting about 8 million American adults in a given year. It is also quite prevalent, with about 20 percent of people who experience a traumatic event going on to develop PTSD. 

If you suffer from PTSD, you will often find yourself trying to avoid events or things that remind you of the trauma. You might be irritable, easily agitated, and involve in self-destructive behavior, making it difficult to function through a regular day. 

And while there are many medical interventions that can help manage the condition, CBD is showing promise as an alternative to symptom alleviation in people with PTSD. In 2019, one study found evidence that a daily dose of CBD, combined with counseling and psychiatric treatment helped individuals overcome many of the symptoms that are associated with PTSD. 

CBD oil is often used as an administration route when treating PTSD. Because it is absorbed slowly via the skin, it provides a longer-acting baseline relief that lasts longer than the faster-acting oral option. 

Bottom line

The cannabis plant has been offering many treatment and therapeutic gifts to humankind for millennia. CBD, in particular, holds a lot of promise for the treatment of many mental health conditions, especially in times when mainstream treatment options are ineffective, unavailable, or inaccessible. 

CBD oils and other CBD products that bypass the oral route are usually well-tolerated by people who may have problems ingesting CBD-containing pills or fluids. They also offer long-lasting relief for people with mental health conditions, meaning one can apply the oil and experience its effects throughout a typical day.