In the United States alone, an estimated 1 in 5 adults struggle with a mental illness. The most common include anxiety, depression, mood disorders, psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, delusional disorders), dementia, and eating disorders. Often, several mental health conditions are comorbidities: they coexist with each other, making them more difficult to treat.
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The pharmaceutical industry has benefited from this: According to experts, the global antidepressant industry is set to grow from its value of $28.6 billion in 2020, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic. But there are many problems with antidepressants: these synthetic drugs may not always work, and if they do, they have a lot of side effects. These include fatigue, sexual problems, constipation or diarrhea, headaches and insomnia, to name a few.
Things were already bad enough before the pandemic, although it only made things worse; it seemed as if everyone was anxious or depressed about something. The world may not be getting better, but the good news is that we have better tools to deal with mental illness.
Fortunately, we have cannabidiol (CBD). This non-psychoactive compound from the marijuana plant may literally be the #1 mental health medicine we have today. And itβs all natural!
Hereβs why you should consider using CBD if you have mental health issues.
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CBD helps control the symptoms of multiple mental illnesses
There are countless studies that support the effectiveness of CBD in treating numerous conditions: from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, mania and more, you can even reduce or reduce your intake of pharmaceutical drugs (but always under guidance). from your doctor).
People living with mental or emotional comorbidities often take numerous pills to help manage their symptoms. But introducing CBD to your wellness regimen can help you slim down while leading a healthier lifestyle.
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CBD helps you sleep better
Have you ever noticed how the world seems to be a kinder place after a good nightβs rest?
Thatβs because thereβs a link between sleep (or the lack of it) and your emotional well-being. According to the Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep has been associated with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other conditions. In addition, insomnia can worsen existing mental health problems.
Taking CBD can greatly increase the chance of long, restful sleep. At low doses (less than 500 mg), CBD has an energizing effect, although taking higher concentrations has been shown to help treat insomnia. It will also help you relax, even if your mind is racing and constantly addicted to a cycle of negative thoughts. All this without having to remove any pills.
CBD improves overall mood
When one is struggling with any kind of mental illness, our mood is affected. Our relationships, lifestyle, and well-being can also suffer as a result.
Studies show that CBD is an effective mood stabilizer. Whether you have mild or severe anxiety, borderline personality or bipolar disorder, CBD can help you feel better and manage your emotions. According to case studies, participants have used CBD to treat depression, mania, and even both, saying it was more helpful than conventional drugs in treating these symptoms. It also helped them find symptom relief from pharmaceutical drugs.
Additionally, CBD is known for its anti-anxiety and anti-stress properties. When your body no longer feels anxious about the future, stressed, or in constant fight-or-flight mode, you have the space to pause before thinking or saying something you might regret and potentially hurt someone.
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So many ways to medicate
CBD is available in a wide range of consumption methods. You can literally choose to use it whatever your mood is for the day.
Do you feel like smoking? You can vape or smoke CBD flowers. Feel like eating your feelings? There are countless varieties of delicious CBD edibles β chocolates, gummies, and other infused foods are just a few of the options. If you feel like getting creative in the kitchen, you can make your own edibles with ready-to-use CBD oils. There are also infused drinks that will mimic the behavior of taking a drink, but instead provide relaxing doses of CBD instead of alcohol, which will make existing mental health disorders worse.
It works
The hype is real: CBD works, and thatβs why itβs so popular.
There are many surveys and polls, but there is one in particular from 2021 that surveyed 387 current or former users of CBD; they were asked to complete a 20-question online survey. The researchers found that the main reasons people used CBD were for anxiety, sleep, general health and stress. Participants have reported that it works to treat sleep problems, stress and anxiety.
Participants also said they self-medicated with CBD to treat their symptoms and typically consumed low doses. However, a significant population said that CBD was effective for them.
conclusion
Is it OK for you to medicate with CBD to manage mental illness?
The best way to find out is to talk to your doctor, especially if youβre already taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. However, CBD is safe enough to self-medicate if you have mild forms of anxiety or depression. You can start by taking low doses (300 to 600 mg has been found to be safe and effective for anxiety) and see if that helps. Edibles also have a longer lasting effect although they take longer to feel their effects.
