Stress, anxiety, or depression have affected most of us at some point in life. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s little wonder that these conditions are more prominent in society than ever.
In a time where we are told that we can, in fact, have it all, the pressure to excel in the business world, take care of family, and (somewhere in amongst it all) have a social life, can often leave us feeling run-down, frazzled, and constantly on edge. With the recent pressures brought on due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more of us than ever before are seeking out solutions to help us through tricky times.
So how can we exactly find balance? For many people, the foundations are all about taking a step back from situations and learning to say “no” to things that they just don’t have space for in their lives.
Integrating meditation, exercise, and a healthy diet into your daily routine are all things that we know we should be doing. But, increasingly, we see people turning to natural and herbal remedies to help give a little extra support – not least of all CBD oil.
A modern buzzword that has enjoyed meteoric use in recent years, these three letters are the ones on many people’s lips. Touted as an effective treatment for a wide spectrum of illnesses from chronic pain to psoriasis, it offers a great deal of benefits when it comes to physical health.
However, it also has become one of the most sought after remedies on the market for mental health conditions and is widely used in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression.
To help you decide if it could be right for you, let’s first understand why CBD and CBD oil are so beneficial to your body and mind.
What is CBD Again?
Maybe you are well versed in CBD, so feel free to skip to the sections below; if you need a crash course follow right along.
CBD is one of two primary chemical entities (cannabinoids) found in the cannabis plant. The other is tetrahydrocannabinol, THC. Unlike THC, which in higher amounts can cause you to get high, CBD has no psychoactive effects, which is one reason so many people are trying it. CBD derived from hemp differs from marijuana by its THC content. Hemp has less than the legal limit of 0.3% THC while marijuana contains more than 0.3% THC.
How Does CBD Impact the Brain?
Understanding how CBD affects the brain starts with a lesson about the endocannabinoid system (ECS), basically the biggest system in the body you’ve never heard of. It controls just about every internal function we have: movement, pain, sensation, immune responses, temperature, and mental functioning like perception, mood, and memory.
Now here’s how CBD comes into play. When you take CBD you’re supporting the work the ECS is already doing to help your body stay ‘regular.’ Researchers believe CBD works to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression by binding to one of the main receptors within the ECS, the CB1 receptors.
How Effective is CBD for Anxiety & Depression
There’s a solid amount of scientific research that shows CBD can be effective for anxiety in animals as well anecdotal evidence and case reports that show it may be beneficial for alleviating anxiety in humans also. However, there is less data on the effectiveness of CBD for depression, though there have been some promising studies.
In 2011, a scientific paper published in the respected journal Neuropsychopharmacology found CBD to be effective in the treatment of anxiety. In this study participants treated with CBD were less anxious at a public speaking event as well as experiencing a general improvement in their overall mood.
A more recent publication (2017) in Frontier of Pharmacology highlighted the positive effects of CBD oil on the psyche. It was found to reduce feelings of fear and helped to fight against disturbing memories. Since stress, anxiety, and depression often manifest together, they concluded it was reasonable to treat them with the same remedy.
Following a study carried out on rodents the journal Neuropharmacology in 2017 also revealed the role of CBD in the management of stress and mood. They found that CBD acts directly on serotonin (a neurotransmitter molecule acting on the signals between nerve cells) to gently stabilize mood without the unwanted side effects often experienced when taking prescribed antidepressants.
Also keep in mind anxiety and depression have a complicated relationship. Both are conditions related to poor sleep, pain, and mood regulation. When we experience more anxiety, we experience more pain, and when we are feeling more depressed, we feel more anxious. It’s a chicken-or-egg-type of scenario.
Here’s where CBD may fit in. CBD is thought to positively influence the process that regulates our mood, sleep, and pain perception, among others. These processes need to function properly so we feel better, sleep more soundly, and experience less pain.
Anxiety and depression are conditions related to poor sleep, pain, and poor mood regulation because our endocannabinoid system isn’t working to the best of its ability.
Experts believe careful CBD dosing may help temper anxiety and reduce racing thoughts that can cause disrupted sleep as well as panicked awakenings.
CBD can be very effective for some people and not make a dent in others.
Though it shouldn’t be a stand-alone treatment, it may be a beneficial co-pilot to other anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants, particularly in the time before the antidepressants kick in. (Research has indicated that a CBD oil is fast moving).
As a fast acting antidepressant, the evidence is quickly mounting that CBD oil is effective in helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. While it may not completely cure such ailments, combined with a few lifestyle changes (such as an improved diet and gentle daily exercise) it can make these conditions more manageable. If you’re having a difficult time during the current Covid-19 crisis (or any other time) then CBD oil could be the natural remedy you’re looking for.
Before taking any natural treatments it is advisable to consult with your doctor, especially for those taking medications so as to rule out any possible reactions. A little more on that.
How do I Find a Doctor Who’s Trained/Familiar with Using CBD?
CBD- and cannabis-related curriculum is not (yet) taught in medical schools, so it can be a challenge to find a doctor who’s knowledge about the landscape. Most physicians don’t know much about the science and how to integrate it within a treatment plan.
So you will need to do a bit of research. Look for integrative and holistic physicians who understand, support, and are educated in the use of phytomedicines (herbal medicines with therapeutic and healing properties).
The Society of Cannabis Clinicians has a provider finder on their website where you can look for health care professionals who are well versed in CBD. The Association of Cannabis Specialists is another great resource for researching cannabis clinicians near you.
Why Choose TruHarvest Farm?
Simply put, we grow the hemp, harvest it, and process it to ensure that you are getting a pure product. And, most importantly, we provide a Certificate of Analysis from a third party lab; you will always know what you are using and are guaranteed that there are no contaminants.
Our CBD products are a potentially effective way to relax, mellow out your stress levels, reduce your anxiety, even out your moods….and all without the mind altering aspects of cannabis.