Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical found in the part of the cannabis plant that is known as hemp. There has long been confusion about the difference between hemp and marijuana. Both come from the same plant, but hemp is the name given to the stem, roots, and sterile seeds, while marijuana refers to the fruiting flowers, leaves, and seeds. Marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which produces euphoria. CBD does not produce euphoria.
1) Anxiety
CBD can provide relief from several chronic conditions that limit happiness and good mental health. These conditions run the gamut, from chronic physical pain to anxiety and depression. For those with anxiety, CBD limits the transmission of stimuli to particular nerve receptors. For example, some people with anxiety struggle to break away from a particular concern. This concern becomes something they focus on without ceasing and makes attending to other challenges nearly impossible. The neuron path becomes so well-traveled that these thoughts become automatic and debilitating.
A dose of CBD stops this transfer and allows other neuronal paths to fire. As CBD oil reduces tremors among those with Parkinson’s and reduces seizures among those with epilepsy, the brain activity of returning to a particular neuron fire doesn’t make the connection; the anxious thought pattern is interrupted and the sufferer is returned a modicum of control over their thoughts.
2) Depression
A common challenge for those who suffer from depression is that their serotonin levels are low. Low serotonin levels impact every aspect of your life, from the strength of your bones to the health of your gut. It can also impact your ability to fall asleep and to wake up with energy.
While CBD can’t elevate serotonin levels, it can make it easier for your body to access this critical chemical. For many depressives, a prescribed dose of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, such as Zoloft is recommended. However, the side effects of SSRIs can be challenging for some who struggle with depression.
CBD dosages, found in drops, edibles and vape pens, can boost the ability of your body and brain to use the serotonin you have while you work on ways to increase your levels naturally. Foods high in serotonin include salmon, nuts, tofu products and pineapple. Exercise and meditation can also increase your serotonin levels, as can sunlight.
3) Addiction
Dosing with a broad spectrum CBD oil can alleviate the cravings and discomfort of addiction. Because broad spectrum products have had the THC removed but continue to offer the other chemicals found in cannabis, many who struggle with the cravings disorder that feeds addiction find relief.
This combination of cannabis chemicals is known as the entourage effect. There are many components in the cannabis plant that can help people to better mental and physical health, and one that can cause euphoria or a sense of being “high”. Because THC has long been vilified as a dangerous product, the beneficial compounds in the cannabis plant have been denied to those who struggle with addiction and other debilitating conditions.
4) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
People who suffer from PTSD often find themselves in a trauma response. They return to a terrible event that they experienced or witnessed and have a full-blown physical and emotional response to that experience, regardless of what environment they are currently in.
A dose of CBD provides relief to PTSD sufferers by breaking the connection that leads to the trauma response. This breakdown is known as extinction learning or changing of the trigger that leads to the physical trauma response.
The exact path of this extinction learning is as yet unknown, but experts suggest that it could be related to reduced production of the enzyme FAAH and the activation of serotonin receptor 5-HT1A. Again, CBD doesn’t boost serotonin production. It enables the brain of someone suffering from a lack of serotonin to use it more effectively.
CBD can help you build good mental health. Whether your struggles include an obsessive return to unhelpful, anxious thoughts, or if trauma in your past have you trapped in fear of the present, there are products that you can use in a variety of dosages to help you build a healthier response to stress and risk. Discuss the option of using CBD in your fight against anxiety, depression, addiction, or PTSD.