For thousands of years, the cannabis plant has been used for medicinal purposes. There’s a good reason for this. The plant contains over 80 different substances called cannabinoids. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the best-known one because of its psychoactive properties. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a close second, and it does not create the psychoactive properties that cannabis is known for.
Today, more and more people are focusing on the possible mental and emotional health benefits offered by CBD. More about this is available at Weed Seeds USA and below.
Anxiety-Related Uses
Anxiety is a very common problem. Anxiety-related disorders affect over 19% of the U.S. population. Some studies claim CBD can help to alleviate anxiety symptoms. According to a study published in 2015, CBD can be useful for treating an array of anxiety conditions, including PTSD, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and OCD.
Depression-Related Uses
Based on the information provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in the United States. In fact, it affects over 17 million adults per year. There are some effective treatments for depression available, such as medication and psychotherapy. While this is true, interest in alternative and complementary therapies have grown recently.
For example, CBD is now being researched for possible antidepressant effects. Some antidepressants are useful because they act on the brain’s serotonin receptors. Lower serotonin levels are a cause of depression. According to animal studies, CBD could impact these receptors, which can provide certain antidepressant benefits.
Sleep-Related Issues
Since CBD is believed to have a calming effect, the substance can also help in treating sleep issues. Scientists agree that sleep is essential for good mental health. However, according to the CDC, up to 33% of all adults do not get the required amount of sleep every night. This presents issues since the inability to get enough sleep is linked to an array of health conditions, including depression, obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
According to a study that dealt with adults who were dealing with anxiety and insufficient sleep, 65% saw significant improvements in overall sleep quality scores after a month of continually taking 25mg of CBD per day.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
It is estimated that PTSD is a condition that affects about 6.1% of all adults in the U.S. Some of the symptoms of this condition include re-experiencing certain traumatic events, nightmares, avoidance of things that trigger memories of the trauma, and intrusive thoughts.
Some research claims that CBD may be beneficial in helping to reduce the overall symptoms of this condition. While more research is needed, the results thus far are promising, and some people who have PTSD claim that using CBD has helped them.
Is It Time to Try CBD?
Even though CBD holds a lot of promise, most experts agree there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of CBD for mental issues. While this is true, there are millions of people who use CBD and see an array of benefits.
Types of CBD
CBD can be found in several different products and forms. For example, cannabidiol is extracted from the marijuana and hemp plants, which will differ regarding the amount of THC and CBD that can be extracted. Getting to know the facts is the best way to determine if CBD should be used.
