Did you know that Cannabidiol — or as it is better known, CBD — is not just for recreation but also a fantastic treatment for stress, anxiety and depression disorders?
That’s right! An increasing amount of patients are actually lowering their dosages of chemicals medicines and other potentially harmful treatments and switching over to CBD instead. Some people are swapping out these other treatments for CBD entirely. While it’s always a good idea to discuss these things with your doctor first, the truth is that CBD products can be a highly effective alternative treatment with far fewer side effects.
Naturally, you probably have some questions. Here are some common FAQs about CBD as a treatment in order to help you figure out whether or not it may be the right choice for you:
What Exactly is CBD?
Many people mistakenly believe that CBD is the same as marijuana, but the truth is a little more complicated. When people refer to “weed” or “marijuana”, they’re often just referring to another cannabinoid that comes from the cannabis plant– THC. On the contrary, CBD is one of 200 other cannabinoids that are also found in the plant (as well as in hemp). Unlike THC, however, CBD has virtually no psychoactive properties. Though many people do indeed experience a calmer emotive state, CBD in general contributes more to a physical sense of relaxation and wellbeing.
What Disorders Does CBD Most Effectively treat?
Research is still actively taking place to determine just how effective CBD (and cannabinoids in general) are in treating certain illnesses and disorders. That said, numerous clinical trials have shown that CBD products can be highly effective on emotional and stress-related disorders, helping to calm the patient down physically and mentally. This is largely because CBD binds to serotonin receptors in the brain, giving this neurotransmitter a boost. Higher levels of serotonin equates to higher levels of calm and general happiness.
In general, CBD is believed to contain these properties: antiepileptic, hypoxia-ischemia, antipsychotic, neuroprotective analgesic, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory and even antitumor abilities, among other things.
While more definitive research is needed to say just how effective CBD may be on certain emotional or neurological disorders, it is believed to be best for the following:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Panic Disorder
- Anxiety disorders (including general and social)
- Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)
CBD is also believed to work well for depression, but in conjunction with other treatments (including healthy diet, talk therapy, etc.) In the meantime, more studies need to be done in order to provide more detail.
How Can CBD Be Taken?
CBD comes in many different forms for consumers these day. Most commonly, it is used in oil, vape pens, gummies or even topical creams. The right form of CBD for you will depend largely on your personal preferences, though it may help to discuss the matter with your doctor if you have certain conditions.
All forms of CBD are known to help treat stress, anxiety and depression, though topical forms will make you feel more relaxed physically, while inhalants and ingestible forms will trigger mental relaxation first. It’s also worth noting that CBD is known to help with pain management, which of course is great news for those who suffer from headaches and muscle / joint aches as a result of depression or anxiety.
Are There Any Side Effects?
As with all kinds of treatment, it’s perfectly normal to be considered about side effects. The truth is that CBD side effects are usually uncommon and minimal, but many people do report experiencing them nonetheless. The most common include:
- Mouth dryness and increased thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
If any of these side effects are experienced, patients should be sure to drink plenty of water and try to relax while waiting it out. The side effects should not last more than a few hours.
Patients should also note that taking large amounts of CBD at a time can sometimes lead to a “crash”, brought on by the significant decrease in serotonin once CBD leaves the system. Though uncommon and temporary, this crash can lead to a serious dip in mood and make symptoms of depression and anxiety actually feel worse. To avoid this, it’s wise to only take small amounts of CBD at a time and wait at least a couple hours been doses.
If you would like to learn more about CBD and how it may help your stress, anxiety and/or depression disorder, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the pros today at All Greens Clinic. We provide medical marijuana products (including CBD options) to consumers in Arizona, and we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
