Hemp and its parts have been used for medicinal and ritual purposes for thousands of years, and modern science has been studying the plant’s beneficial properties for over a century.
Hemp is made up of many different compounds called cannabinoids. The cannabinoid allowed for recreational use in some countries is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has psychoactive properties. However, the medical community emphasises other components of hemp – numerous studies have proven the benefits of CBD oil for mental health. This cannabinoid has no psychoactive effects and positively affects the emotional state. Medical experience shows that CBD hemp oil is effective in the treatment of many diseases, including depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, etc.
Let’s discuss the main ones:
Most people have experienced a great deal of excitement, fear or anxiety at some point in their lives. It is a healthy reaction of your body to unforeseen situations and environmental stimuli. Feeling anxious is normal until it becomes a long-term state that you can no longer control. Anxiety disorders are characterised by increased irritability, constant tension, concentration difficulties and fatigue that you feel even after a good night’s sleep. This state is harmful not only to your emotional, but also physical well-being. It can cause headaches or lead to heart disease, digestive system disorders or stomach ulcers. Unfortunately, anxiety disorders are a common problem for many young and working-age people, and its rates are growing rapidly.
Although all the benefits of hemp oil have not been fully explored yet, numerous clinical studies have shown 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.
CBD oil may help alleviate symptoms of depression. It is a mental disorder characterised by lethargy, depressed mood, loss of appetite and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. A disturbed emotional state directly affects different body functions and causes digestive discomfort, slower thinking and disturbed sleep cycle.
Depression is caused by various internal factors, such as a disturbance in 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.
Depression is often treated not only with psychotherapy, but also with antidepressants. It is interesting that some doctors and medical professionals compare the good properties of CBD with treatment with this type of medications. However, compared to antidepressants, CBD oil stands out for its advantages. Its effect occurs faster, is more natural and, most importantly, prevents unpleasant side effects that are possible when taking antidepressants. These are sexual performance disorders, loss of potency, sleep disorders and frequent mood swings.
3. Sleep disorders
A good night’s sleep is inseparable from your good mental and physical well-being and working capacity. Although experts recommend sleeping regularly for 7 to 9 hours a day, this is a luxury for most in today’s fast-paced world. Surveys show that most people have an irregular sleep rhythm, sleeping about 5 to 6 hours per day or suffer from insomnia. Constant sleep deprivation has been linked to memory loss, impaired thinking and even increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia later in life. Lack of sleep also affects other processes in your body: it weakens your immune system, slows down tissue and cell regeneration and prolongs recovery after illnesses or injuries.
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 and an uncomfortable bed. Although sleeping pills are often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of insomnia, doctors recommend not abusing them. These medications have short-term effects and are relatively easy to get addicted to.
There is growing awareness of the benefits of hemp in the treatment of sleep disorders. A few years ago, a clinical trial was conducted in the United States, examining the effects of CBD in the treatment of anxiety disorders and insomnia. The study included 25 volunteers with sleep disorders. The participants took 25 mg CBD pills daily for a month. After this period, 66.7% of people confirmed that the CBD significantly improved their sleep and made it easier to relax.
4. Eating disorders
Eating disorders are a condition characterised by excessive preoccupation with your weight and body shape. It leads to bad eating habits, including extremely strict dietary restrictions, possible episodes of starvation and overeating and intentional vomiting after eating. The key eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. These disorders harm the functioning of the digestive system, bowels and heart, adversely affect bones and teeth, and result in other diseases.
The causes of eating disorders are psychological. Medical therapies are ineffective and therefore rarely used (unless other mental health problems such as depression are diagnosed). Eating disorders are usually treated with psychotherapy.
Studies show that parts of the brain that regulate appetite can be disrupted by anxiety or stress. Very intense disturbance can lead to eating disorders. Such patients benefit from CBD oil, which reduces anxiety and can improve mood and appetite.
How does CBD oil affect your brain?
The way you feel emotions and perceive various stimuli is regulated by chemical reactions in your brain. Your body has many different receptors. 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, and the received signals are processed in the brain.
Studies have shown that CBD oil interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous system. Scientists hypothesise that CBD 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 your emotional and mental health. Changes in serotonin levels are associated with the discussed problems: anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, bulimia and anorexia. While CBD oil does not increase the production of the serotonin hormone, it helps to use the serotonin already in your body more efficiently.
Cannabidiol and side effects
In most cases, CBD oil is easily tolerated and provides the desired therapeutic effect. However, some side effects are very rare bet possible, e.g., dry mouth, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy, fatigue and drowsiness. You should also remember that products containing cannabidiol may interact with other medications, especially blood thinners. Another potential source of risk is the quality of the product itself. For example, CBD may contain unnatural impurities or be improperly dosed.
To avoid unpleasant physical sensations and enjoy the benefits of CBD oil, before buying a CBD product you should carefully look at the ingredients on the label, and more importantly, check lab test results, which should be provided by the manufacturer or distributor. Even with natural, certified products, you should start with the lowest recommended doses. Only after making sure that these products are suitable for your body, increase the dose gradually when you feel the need.
We also recommend reading about the different types of CBD extract and their differences.
