CBD and Mental Health: Can CBD help your symptoms?
May is Mental Health Awareness Month so we’re taking some time to discuss how CBD may help alleviate the symptoms of some mental health and neurological conditions. If you’re new to CBD, check out our CBD Shop for more information about our own products and to download our Guide to CBD for an introduction to CBD and dosing basics.
What mental health conditions can CBD treat?
CBD is a natural dietary supplement that may help alleviate some symptoms of mental health conditions. It is not a treatment for any mental health condition on its own, but as a part of a treatment regimen, research has shown that it can be helpful. You should consult with your treatment provider if you are considering adding CBD to your health practices!
Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are common mental health issues, and about 20% of the population experience some form of anxiety! So if anxious thoughts bother you, you certainly are not alone. Anxiety is the core symptom of disorders like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, and Phobias. Anxiety and worry are also common symptoms of many other mental health and developmental disorders, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Depression, and Autism.
Studies have found that CBD reduces symptoms of social anxiety in teens and adults and lowers stress in public speaking situations. It shows promising results in reducing nightmares for those with PTSD. Both animal and human brain studies show that CBD may reduce activation in brain structures associated with fear and worry! Taken all together, research indicates that CBD may be a good complementary or alternative treatment for those experiencing anxiety.
Need more info? We discuss more about CBD for Stress and CBD for Anxiety in these past blog posts!
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common symptom of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and many other mental health conditions. It can also be a disorder in and of itself. Sleeplessness, disrupted sleep, and early morning awakenings can be incredibly frustrating, and can impact your daytime mood and focus!
Research indicates that CBD can increase the amount of sleep and reduce nighttime arousals. In a study examining several sleep disorders, CBD generally increased sleep time across participants. It is generally reported to have a slight sedative effect, which may help with sleep onset. Read more about CBD for sleep and insomnia here.
Other Disorders
The body of CBD research is constantly growing. There have been some positive findings about CBD reducing symptoms related to psychotic disorders, depression, epilepsy, tinnitus, and Tourette syndrome. CBD also seems to be beneficial for diseases associated with inflammation, like chronic pain and some autoimmune diseases. CBD may also be protective in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
If you’re interested in CBD as an alternative treatment for anxiety, insomnia, or other mental health issue, feel free to contact us with questions! And as always, consult with your treatment provider before changing your treatment regimen.
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