CBD hemp oil for anxiety and stress

It's no secret that in recent years CBD hemp oil has gained great popularity due to its positive effects on people's health and well-being. The scientific and medical community is paying attention to the anti-anxiety effects of CBD oil and how CBD helps reduce stress and anxiety.

Fibered hemp and its parts have been used for medicinal and ritual purposes for thousands of years, and modern science has been exploring the plant's beneficial properties for over a century.

Cannabis is made up of many different compounds called cannabinoids. The cannabinoid allowed for recreational use in some states is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has psychoactive properties. However, the medical community emphasizes other components of cannabis - numerous studies have proven the benefits of CBD oil for anxiety and support for people's mental health. This cannabinoid does not have a psychoactive effect, and has a positive effect on the emotional state. Medical practice shows that CBD hemp oil is effective in the treatment of many diseases, including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and other problems.

Let's discuss the main ones:

Note: This and other articles on Hemp's blog are for informational purposes only. According to the directive of the European Commission, cannabidiol is classified as a 'new food', therefore CBD products should not be used as a food supplement in Lithuania.

1. Anxiety Disorders and CBD Oil.

Many people have experienced great excitement, fear or anxiety at various stages of their lives. This is a healthy reaction of the body to unforeseen situations and environmental stimuli. Feeling anxious is normal until it becomes a long-term condition that you can no longer control. Anxiety disorders are characterized by increased irritability, constant tension, concentration difficulties, and fatigue that affects even after a night's sleep. This state is not only harmful to a person's emotional, but also physical condition: it causes headaches, can lead to heart disease, often causes digestive system disorders, stomach ulcers. Unfortunately, anxiety disorders are a common problem for many young and working-age people, and the rates are growing rapidly.

While the full benefits of hemp oil have not yet been fully explored, extensive clinical research shows that CBD oil can help with anxiety disorders. Once in the bloodstream, the CBD cannabinoid provides positive stimulation to the brain's neural connections. In this way, a response is created in the brain that relieves various types of anxiety disorders, improves mood, and helps to calm down.

2. Depression and CBD Oil.

The benefits of CBD oil are seen in the treatment of depression. It is a mental disorder characterized by lethargy, depression, depressed mood, lack of appetite and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. A disturbed emotional state directly affects various functions of the body: digestion deteriorates, thinking slows down, the sleep cycle is disturbed.

Depression is caused by various internal causes, for example, a disruption of biochemical processes in the brain. This condition can also be triggered by certain somatic diseases, traumas, unfortunate events, problematic relationships in the family, the use of certain medications, alcohol, and psychotropic substances.

In the treatment of depression, not only psychological help is often used, but also medication treatment with antidepressants. It is interesting that some doctors and physicians compare the good properties of CBD with treatment with the aforementioned medications. However, compared to antidepressants, CBD products stand out in their advantages. Its effect occurs faster, this substance is more natural, and most importantly, it prevents the unpleasant side effects that are possible when taking antidepressants. These are sexual performance disorders, loss of potency, sleep disorders, frequent mood swings.

3. Sleep disorders.

A quality night's sleep is inseparable from a good mental and physical state and working capacity. Although experts advise to sleep regularly and for 7-9 hours. per day, in today's fast-paced world, this is a luxury for most. Surveys show that most people have an irregular sleep rhythm, sleeping about 5-6 hours. per day or suffer from insomnia. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to memory loss, impaired thinking, and even increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia later in life. Lack of sleep also affects other processes in the body: immunity weakens, tissue and cell regeneration slows down, recovery after illnesses or injuries is difficult.

CBD oil for anxiety - does it really work?

The causes of insomnia and other sleep disorders are varied, from factors such as constant tension, anxiety or stress, to poor nutrition, heavy meals late at night, or an uncomfortable bed. Although sleeping pills are often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of insomnia, doctors recommend not to abuse them. These medications have short-term effects and are relatively easy to get used to.

More and more is known about the benefits of cannabis in the fight against sleep disorders. A couple of years ago, a clinical trial was conducted in the USA, which investigated the effects of CBD in the treatment of anxiety disorders and insomnia. The study involved 25 volunteers who suffered from sleep disorders. Participants took 25 mg CBD pills daily for a month. After this period, 66.7 percent of people confirmed that using CBD significantly improved the quality of their sleep and made it easier to relax.

4. Eating Disorders and CBD Oil.

Eating disorders are a condition characterized by excessive concern about one's weight and body shape. This leads to the emergence of inappropriate eating habits - extremely strict dietary restrictions, possible episodes of starvation and overeating, the food eaten can be intentionally vomited. The main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. These disorders harm the functioning of the digestive system, bowels, and the work of the heart, adversely affect the condition of bones and teeth, and cause other diseases.

The causes of eating disorders are psychological. Medical treatment is usually not prescribed because it is ineffective (unless co-occurring mental health disorders are identified, e.g. depression). Eating disorders are usually treated with psychiatric treatment or psychotherapy.

Research shows that the centers of the brain that regulate appetite can be disrupted by anxiety or stress. If the disturbance is very intense, eating disorders appear. Such patients benefit from CBD oil, which reduces perceived anxiety and can improve mood and appetite.

How does CBD oil affect our brain?

The way we feel emotions and perceive different stimuli is regulated by chemical reactions that take place in our brain. There are many very different receptors in the human body. These are chemical structures based on proteins. Receptors are located in body cells and receive different environmental signals and stimuli: the received signal is transmitted to the cell. This chain of information reaches the central nervous system, the received signals are processed in the brain.

Studies show that CBD oil interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Scientists hypothesize that CBD hemp oil, tinctures, capsules, and tablets have a positive effect on the response of receptors in the brain to serotonin. It is a hormone that plays a major role in our emotional and mental health. Changes in serotonin concentration are associated with the discussed ailments: anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, bulimia and anorexia. Although the use of CBD oil does not increase the production of the serotonin hormone, it helps to use the serotonin already in the body more efficiently.

Cannabidiol and side effects

In most cases, CBD hemp oil is easily tolerated and provides the desired therapeutic effect. However, very rarely certain side reactions may occur, such as dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, fatigue, drowsiness. It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that products containing cannabidiol may interact with other medications, especially blood thinners. Another potential source of threat is the quality of the product itself. For example, the CBD contained in the composition may contain unnatural impurities or be improperly dosed.

In order to avoid unpleasant physical sensations and enjoy the benefits of CBD hemp oil, before purchasing a CBD product, it is necessary to carefully evaluate the composition indicated on the label, and more importantly, if possible, check the results of the product laboratory tests, which should be provided by the manufacturer or distributor. Even when starting to use natural, certified products, it is important to do so at the lowest recommended dosages. Only after making sure that these tools are suitable for your body, the dose can be increased little by little if you feel the need.

We also suggest reading about the different CBD extract types and their differences.