Mental health is currently a national debate. In the past, it was a fringe topic even though millions of people with mental health problems remained undertreated. Today, mental health issues affect millions of people in America. The number of people taking anti-psychotic drugs is increasing. This has prompted health experts to search for better treatments for mental health problems.
CBD has been touted as a potential treatment for mental health disorders. Individuals with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety have turned to marijuana for relief. Cannabis has different strains or forms. And because many people can easily access it, they have smoked it as a way to relieve psychiatric illnesses. Unfortunately, this has exposed them to the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the chemical compound that gets a person high when they smoke marijuana.
As such, smoking cannabis is not the best way to relieve symptoms for people with mental health problems. That’s why a person may invest in cbd oil vape pen from vapingdaily to vaporize cannabidiol instead of smoking marijuana. That’s because smoking cannabis can exacerbate symptoms in some cases. CBD doesn’t have psychoactive substances. That’s why people with mental health problems are turning to it.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a naturally occurring compound in the industrial hemp plant. It is one of the many cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. But, unlike the other cannabinoids found in this plant, CBD is non-psychoactive. Its pharmacological profile is also different. CBD is extracted from the industrial hemp and marijuana plant. However, the hemp plant has more CBD and less THC. That’s why it’s the preferred source of pure CBD.
Research has shown that CBD has a therapeutic role in some mental disorders. However, before using this cannabidiol as a treatment for a mental health problem, it’s important to consult with a medical doctor. And though a person can use CBD for mental health, it should be combined with medication.
What Is Known So Far
Many people are interested in using CBD as a treatment for mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Celebrities like Kristen Bell and Jennifer Aniston that use CBD to ease depression and anxiety symptoms have driven this trend significantly.
But, before purchasing a CBD vape pen and starting using the cannabinoid as a treatment for a mental health issue, it’s wise to find out what is known so far. The benefits of using CBD and other cannabinoids for mental health are currently a buzz. This trend has even outpaced research.
Currently, there is inadequate evidence to suggest that CBD and other cannabinoids can help with symptoms of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. As such, some researchers urge physicians to avoid recommending them as mental health disorders’ treatment.
So far, there is little evidence suggesting that CBD can be used for mental illnesses. Most studies on CBD have focused on conditions like multiple sclerosis and chronic non-cancer pain. Depression and anxiety are largely considered as secondary symptoms in most studies.
CBD Can Help with Depression
Research has shown that CBD works by binding to a neurotransmitter known as 5-HT1A. Conventional psychiatric medications target the same receptor. Studies have shown that one dose of CBD provides antidepressant-like effects the day a person receives the treatment and the beneficial effect can be maintained for a week.
Today, many people are taking CBD claiming that it helps in relieving stress-related symptoms of anxiety. Others say it helps them function and sleep better.
CBD Can Help with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a common condition that affects people that have witnessed, experienced, or perceived life-threatening injury or trauma. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition include nightmares, mood swings, anxiety, violence, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Research has suggested that CBD might help people with this condition. That’s because CBD affects how the brain organizes memories and connects them with emotions in individuals experiencing trauma.
Some experiments have suggested that CBD affects the levels of endocannabinoids like 2-AG or anandamide. And, this can potentially benefit people with PTSD. Researchers are yet to explain how trauma and stress affect mental health and the best ways of managing its effects. As such, CBD research could be the only hopeful path for discovering more effective and safer medicines.
Psychiatrists Recommend Cautious Use of CBD for Mental Health
If you or a loved one has a mental health problem, don’t rush to buy CBD oil vape pen and start using it as a treatment. Many people are turning to cannabinoids as a treatment for their chronic pain treatment blindly.
Currently, there is inadequate evidence to conclusively show that CBD can help with mental health disorders. Therefore, people should be cautious about their use of CBD and other cannabinoids as a treatment for mental health conditions. That’s because if poorly treated or untreated, some mental health disorders can get worse.
Using CBD to treat some mental illnesses can lead to negative side effects in some cases. What’s more, the cannabidiol that a person buys and uses in a non-study setting can have contaminants that can have negative effects on their overall health. So, before buying and using a disposable CBD vape pen for mental health, find out about the origin of the product.
Instead of self-medicating with CBD, experts recommend working with reputable mental health providers they are comfortable with. That way, their improvement of symptoms, as well as, potential side effects can be monitored and addressed properly.
The Bottom Line
Research indicates that more people are using cannabinoids as a treatment for mental health disorders. These include people with depression and anxiety who use marijuana for self-medicating. However, there is no sufficient evidence to support the use of CBD and other cannabinoids in treating mental health conditions. What’s available at the moment is a potential promise that CBD might help with mental health conditions. As such, further research is required to determine if CBD can help improve mental health or treat disorders like anxiety and depression. Therefore, any individual that wants to use cannabinoids for mental health should consult with their doctor before purchasing and using a CBD oil vape pen starter kit.
