Titles
- CBD for Mental Wellbeing: The what, how and why of safe consumption!
- The Scientific Way to Better Mental Wellbeing and with CBD
- What does pure Science Say About CBD’s Ability to Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
With the inception of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, CBD derived from the Cannabis plant became a federally qualified compound for public consumption.
CBD has been in the news for its mental health benefits and success stories for a long time, but with this regulatory milestone, public confidence will improve.
That being said, true and distinguishable information on CBD and how it helps you alleviate mental health disorders is highly scattered. This is the leading cause of skepticism and irregular public confidence, even when 64% of Americans support its legalization.
The scepticism is further propelled by incomplete information, misleading attribution with other psychoactive substances, and uneven government regulation. Most people would easily confuse it with Marijuana, which is still quite sporadically legalized in the USA.
For someone looking forward to using CBD, it can be hard to isolate fact from fiction.
Therefore, we would be exploring CBD with the help of only scientifically-backed studies, and verifiable claims, to paint a crystal clear picture. Should you try it to treat your Anxiety, what all things should you keep in mind?
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is the name of a chemical compound abundantly found in the Cannabis sativa plant (Marijuana), alongside 113 other compounds.
Cannabis Sativa has a long history of cultivation and is being popularly urbanized today given its growing demand.
CBD is known for its medicinal properties that induce a calming effect on the nervous system. It is being integrated with health products such as coffee, Spa oils and gym supplies. While CBD is instrumental in obtaining a relaxing effect, it isn’t psychoactive. In other words, it doesn’t induce a “high”.
Epidiolex is the first FDA-approved medicine that uses CBD to treat seizures in little children suffering from Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).
CBD vs. THC vs. Cannabis vs. Marijuana
The above three terms are vaguely thrown around whenever CBD is mentioned, hence, it’s important to learn the distinctions.
Cannabis, also known as Marijuana, is a naturally occurring plant that contains CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).
While CBD relaxes the body, THC is known to induce psychoactive effects that Marijuana is typically associated with. Substances that have higher quantities of THC are responsible for the “high”. CBD itself isn’t psychotropic.
CBD for Mental Health
Mental Health Disorders and challenges are rapidly rising in the modern population. India is touted as the most depressed country in the world, followed by China and, the US – wherein every one in four people live with a mental illness.
Mental Health Stigma
The frightening part is the stigma and lack of attention that Mental Health Illnesses receive. The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2014 found out that only one in eight adults receives mental health treatment. In China, about 91% of people facing mental health issues might never seek any form of help for the same.
How CBD can help
Thus far, we have learned that CBD is typically effective in the treatment of Mental Health Issues. It opens up avenues for clinical treatment as well as self-care, for patients who chronically face mental health disorders.
While CBD still awaits FDA or WHO official schedule, there’s enough empirical evidence already for the compound’s potential usage in treating psychiatric conditions.
The World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) published a report in 2017, which depicts CBD’s potential therapeutic use in treating Anxiety.
CBD Benefits for Mental Health
CBD has a lot of claimed benefits but proper scientific research for all of them is yet to arrive on the scene. The following benefits have been tested with provable positive results.
In Treating Psychotic Symptoms
- A research paper in the Journal of Cannabis Research showed that it can be used in “alleviating psychotic symptoms” such as anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, delusions, lack of cognitive concentration, etc.
Potent Usage for ADHD
- It also depicted potent usage for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Sleep and PTSD
- Grade C recommendations (given for treatments that are highly subjective to patient-specific conditions) are also given for Insomnia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- A Pubmed Article also shows signs of CBD benefits for improving sleep quality.
Improving Focus
- CBD has shown evidence in improving focus and helping conditions wherein patients are unable to focus for a long time without deviation.
Pain Management
- Experts have found that CBD with quantities of THC can be effective in managing pain.
CBD Products
As CBD is a compound, it can readily be used in several products for direct and indirect consumption. It’s just like chocolate; you don’t directly chew on the Cacao beans, but rather a refined marketable product. Currently, there are thousands of CBD brands selling CBD-infused products in a variety of forms. The most popular, however, remains to be the following;
- Edible Products
- CBD Drinks
- CBD Snacks such as baked cookies or gummies
- CBD Tinctures
- CBD Capsules
- Skin Products
- CBD Oils
- CBD Ointments
- CBD Creams and Balms
- CBD Hand Sanitizer
- CBD Spray
- Incense Products
- CBD Candles
- CBD Incense Sticks
CBD Product Benefits
CBD products are paving the way for a new regime in mental wellbeing. From medicinal uses for treating psychiatric conditions to general usage for long-lasting sleep, CBD products are changing how mental health treatment is administered.
CBD Oil and Tinctures are widely being used for alleviating Social Anxiety and relieving stress. For working professionals, who want to let go of the day’s tiredness, a CBD snack or a drink can be a great stress-buster.
Similarly, CBD has shown active adoption in patients who suffer from chronic pain, arthritis, and spinal cord injuries. CBD oil has proven to be highly beneficial in pain management due to the presence of Nabiximols, a CBD and TCH complex.
As CBD is not yet regulated by the government, most of these products are third-party tested in laboratories. You should look for CBD brands that have certifications for selling CBD products online or offline.
While purchasing any kind of CBD product, it is crucial to look for usage instructions. Any good brand will publish complete and accurate information, you can use this as a marker for quality.
How safe is it to consume CBD products?
Just like every other use case, safety is ensured when it is regulated, comes from a verifiable source and has been scientifically backed.
CBD has attracted several kinds of product integrations. The spectrum has grown from CBD for medicinal purposes to CBD baked goods, and even CBD coffee shops. If you’re buying a CBD product from a national-level franchise, or a well-established firm, you can expect it to work as claimed.
Apart from that, there have been no reported cases of any serious medical anomalies caused due to CBD or deaths ever. However, one should always keep in mind that CBD, like other chemical compounds, may have varied effects on individuals.
The legality of CBD Products for Mental Wellness
Consumer products using CBD are safe for use but are they legal? The question doesn’t have a direct answer as state laws are still irregular on the issue. But there are FDA approvals for farming Hemp, the cousin plant of Marijuana.
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 made it legal to produce and market Hemp, Cannabis Sativa L., and less than 0.3 percent concentration of THC. This means that it is now federally legal to grow and sell Hemp in the United States, which means you can rely on trustable brands for getting high-grade CBD in the market.
It’s a landmark Act that ensures that local producers are following approved standards while catering to CBD-derived products.
Integrating CBD into your Lifestyle
More than a medicinal compound, CBD has become a lifestyle product. Its presence in the current FMCG products can be compared to the likes of Green Tea or a Protein Bar that consumers have integrated into their lifestyles as per their fitness and wellness goals.
If you wish to make CBD a part of your daily routine, follow the below guide.
- Choose a method of Delivery
CBD products come in all shapes and sizes. You can either ingest CBD in the form of an edible product such as CBD tincture or CBD cookies, or you can use CBD oil for a quick massage. Choose a method of delivery that resonates with your routine the best.
Most people are happy rejoicing over a pack of CBD gummies while some like it in their morning coffee. You can very well infuse CBD in your bath water as well. Try various alternatives, and see which one suits you the best.
- Fix a Wellness Goal for Yourself
Whether you are trying to improve your work focus or learning anxiety management, CBD works best when it is goal-oriented. Just like protein shake is particularly used for gaining muscle mass, your CBD intake should work on a sensory function.
Therefore, create a wellness goal, such as, “I’ll get better at dealing with work stress” and keep your CBD ingestion aligned with it.
- Learn about Frequency and Dosage
We all have had too much coffee in a day and felt jittery later on. With CBD, you would want to avoid overdoing your CBD intake, as the consequences can be more than a headache.
Therefore, learn proficiently about dosage and frequency of intake from your CBD product seller. All branded products come with clear instructions about usage, method of ingestion and safe practices. Follow the same religiously.
- CBD Product Use-Cases Throughout the day
Morning Meal – CBD oil can be taken before you have your breakfast to allow it to swim through your system. It offers a good mood, and focus throughout the day.
Shower – CBD shampoos and skin ailments can be used while bathing, to get rid of rashes and pain points. If your goals are beauty-related, CBD bathing products are a great option.
Workout – Suffering from muscle tiredness post your HIIT session? CBD oil massage can offer not only comfort but a rejuvenating experience, that will show in your muscle progress.
Mid-Day Punch – Going back to work after the lunch break can feel painful. You can get an energy punch by integrating a CBD snack in your lunch that will help you get your brain juices flowing again.
Bedtime Routine – Bedtime routines are quite popular with CBD users. You can either end the day with a drop of CBD oil under your tongue or get a skincare product for achieving your beauty goals.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to take steps to wellbeing and better mental health, CBD can help you along the way with a range of benefits. The general acceptability of the product is rising, and despite scepticism, there’s enough social evidence that CBD is great for improving the quality of your mental wellbeing.
Take clues from the scientific studies, and good practices mentioned in the article, to gradually incorporate CBD smartly and confidently in your daily routine.
