Recently, CBD has been talked about more and more often in the context of mental health. Many studies and user reports from around the world seem to confirm reports of its potentially positive effects on depression, anxiety and insomnia.
In today’s article, we will take a closer look at the potential benefits of CBD and how it can affect our well-being and mental health.
Mental health – modern challenges
Life in the modern world is a real rollercoaster. Stress, constant rush, social and financial pressure, fears and tensions are the everyday life of many of us. The pressure for success and perfection can lead to an increase in mental disorders such as depression, neurosis and eating disorders. Social pressure and the culture of consumerism lead to chronic stress and often a sense of low self-esteem.
On the other hand, more and more people realize the need to take care of their mental health and take actions to improve their well-being. Relaxation techniques, meditation, therapy and regular physical activity are becoming more and more popular and help maintain mental balance.
The endocannabinoid system and mental health
Cannabidiol CBD is a chemical compound found in hemp plants that affects the endocannabinoid system. This system is associated with the regulation of mood, sleep, appetite and other neurological functions.
An imbalance in the endocannabinoid system can lead to pain, a weakened immune system, mood swings, anxiety and depression.
This is because the endocannabinoid system contributes to the body’s homeostasis – maintaining the balance of all biological processes that ensure the body’s functioning.
CBD interacts with two important receptors in the endocannabinoid system, the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are found mainly in areas related to the immune system and in the gastrointestinal tract. When CBD is absorbed by the body, it attaches to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which then become activated. By activating these receptors, the entire endocannabinoid system is set in motion and can function where it is needed.
CBD works with the endocannabinoid system to help maintain balance in both body and mind.
More about CBD
Much recent research suggests that CBD may be an effective ally in the fight for mental health.
Research shows that CBD may help reduce symptoms of depression by regulating serotonin levels in the brain, which can improve mood and overall mental functioning.
Additionally, CBD may help reduce stress and anxiety by reducing nervous system activity and reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
The mechanism of action of CBD, when compared to the categories of psychotropic drugs, is between a mood stabilizer and an anxiolytic effect. However, it should be emphasized that CBD does not have specific antidepressant or neuroleptic effects.
There is no pharmacological antagonism between CBD and psychotropic drugs. The interactions between CBD and drugs are metabolic in nature, which indicates the possibility of increasing the concentration of drugs after adding CBD or taking a different time for their degradation.
CBD may affect the metabolism of medications you take. This is primarily about the effect of cannabidiol on cytochrome P450 (a compound from the group of liver enzymes), which is crucial for the metabolism of drugs – it breaks down over 60% of them. However, this does not clearly mean that combining CBD with medications is harmful. But among the drugs there are those whose metabolism can be inhibited by CBD.
Therefore, it is always worth consulting your doctor to determine the appropriate dosage and avoid potential interactions with other medications.
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The potential of CBD
CBD as a natural supplement may be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety, but it will not replace professional treatment. Therefore, it is always important to consult a doctor, especially if you suffer from a serious mental disorder.
CBD oil has many potentially positive properties. Our clients most often use it for:
- reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety,
- mood improvement,
- improving sleep quality,
- reducing symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress)
- alleviating the symptoms of epilepsy,
- relieving insomnia.
Also remember that not all CBD products are the same, so it is important to choose high-quality products from a reputable manufacturer. Additionally, remember to follow the recommended doses and regularly monitor your body when using CBD.
When choosing the right product, it is also worth paying attention to its composition. The best effects are achieved by using a full combination of ingredients naturally occurring in hemp (Full Spectrum), where the THC content is negligible (usually below 0.2%). For people who cannot tolerate THC, Broad Spectrum products or CBD isolates will work well.
WHO report
In 2018, the World Health Organization presented a report prepared for the meeting of the Committee of Experts on Drug Addiction. This is one of the most up-to-date documents presenting the impact of CBD on the human body and the possibilities of its use in medicine.
The most important conclusions from this report are that CBD is not addictive and does not cause negative social effects, but it can be an important element of therapy and treatment of many diseases, including: cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, but also depression and psychosis. Additionally, CBD can be used as an analgesic for severe pain, including neuropathic pain. However, it is used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy, as CBD works best in the fight against this disease.
Despite its proven therapeutic effects, CBD is still not on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. This is largely due to the fact that the measure is still under consideration and the procedure is protracted due to political and social uncertainties.
However, this does not mean that CBD is no longer used in various medical therapies. There are medicines that contain this substance – but it is not the only ingredient in these medicines. In the USA, CBD products are increasingly used in gynecology and neonatology.
Based on the WHO report, it can be concluded that the introduction of CBD into normal medical circulation and the registration of drugs based on it is only a matter of time. Research to date confirms, firstly, its effectiveness and, secondly, the safety of its use.
You can find the full report at this link
