Stress and anxiety are the two most common mental conditions. These conditions have always been managed by antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Examples of SSRIs include Lexapro, Prozac, Celexa, and Zoloft.
But the problem with these antidepressants is that they also tend to induce side effects, which explains why medical experts recommend alternative herbal extracts like CBD.
What is CBD and How Does It Help to Relax Your Mind?
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Cannabidiol, commonly abbreviated as CBD, is a compound obtained from the cannabis plant, which researchers believe might relieve a host of medical issues.
CBD is mostly recommended for diseases whose primary symptoms include pain and anxiety. The compound might also offer relief against inflammatory and neurological conditions.
Plus, CBD contains powerful antiemetic and antibacterial properties, making it effective against nausea and bacterial infections, respectively. What’s more, you can use CBD gummies for sleep, diabetes, acne, and numerous other diseases.
How Does CBD Help Relax Your Mind?
CBD combats stress and anxiety by stimulating the secretion of happiness-inducing neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.
Various studies have established a close connection between low serotonin levels with anxiety and depression. So, by increasing serotonin levels in the body, CBD goes a long way in relieving anxiety.
When CBD enters the body, the compound mimics the behavior of conventional selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
But Why Consider CBD Instead Of Regular SSRIs?
For starters, antidepressant medications tend to induce a host of side effects, including drowsiness, nausea, anxiety, and even insomnia. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to cause worrying side effects. Even if the side effects do occur, they tend to be milder and short-lasting. Plus, you’ll need to consume very high CBD doses to experience any side effects.
Another reason to consider CBD is that cannabidiol won’t get you high. This is a welcome reassurance, especially for aspiring cannabis users who take issue with the plant’s mind-altering properties. It’s worth noting that the cannabis plant contains more than 115 pharmacologically beneficial compounds, but only a handful of those are psychoactive. So, you can use CBD products to relax your mind without worrying about getting stoned in the process.
Are CBD’s Anxiolytic Claims Science-backed?
Numerous studies investigating cannabidiol’s anxiolytic properties have found that the compound may be effective for nearly all anxiety disorders.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), CBD has shown tremendous promise in relieving generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Studies conducted on mice revealed that the compound might reduce certain markers of GAD, including panic and elevated heart rate.
A 2011 study found that CBD might also be effective in treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). In the experiment, participants received either an oral dose consisting of 400 milligrams (mg) of CBD or a placebo. At the end of the study, the group that received CBD demonstrated an overall improvement in anxiety symptoms.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another anxiety disorder that cannabidiol might treat. Recent findings suggest that CBD might relieve PTSD by addressing some of the condition’s most bothersome symptoms, such as frequent nightmares and intrusive memories.
Other anxiety disorders that you can treat using CBD-based products include panic disorder (PD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and mood disorders.
Other Ways CBD Might Help Relax Your Mind
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CBD may treat pain
Feelings of pain can throw our minds off balance. Pain usurps our mental energy, making it difficult to focus on things that matter. But pain also happens to be one of the primary medical issues that cannabidiol can resolve.
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CBD may boost sleep
Insomnia and anxiety share a cause-effect relationship. So, one way to relax your mind is to have a good night’s sleep. CBD aids sleep by reducing sleep onset time. The compound also reduces rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, thereby increasing sleep duration.
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CBD may elevate your mood
An anxious mind usually translates to a foul mood. Fortunately, CBD can elevate your mood, subsequently helping to relax your mind. Research has shown that CBD can mediate stress-related mood issues by producing relaxing effects in your central nervous system.
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CBD may alleviate psychiatric issues
Cannabidiol has immense antipsychotic properties. According to a 2016 study, using CBD-based supplements may ease the symptoms of psychotic problems like schizophrenia.
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CBD may protect your brain from neurodegeneration
Stressed or depressed people tend to have less blood flowing through their bodies. Blood deprivation in the brain could lead to the degeneration of brain cells, thereby exposing you to more mental issues. Thankfully, CBD contains neurodegenerative properties, which makes it highly effective against stress and anxiety. Cannabidiol is also a vasodilator and muscle relaxant. Therefore, it can enhance blood circulation, thereby lowering the risks of neurodegenerative diseases.
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CBD contains a rich nutritional profile
One of the natural ways to ease stress and anxiety is to invest in a balanced diet. Well, this is another area where you can benefit from cannabidiol. CBD oil contains numerous essential minerals, including protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and beta carotene. The oil also contains antioxidants like polyphenols which can help to keep anxiety at bay.
There are numerous ways CBD can help to relax your mind. To get the most out of the compound, be sure to start with low doses. You can then work your way up in small increments until you establish your ideal dose.