CBD and all of its derivatives have been in the news a lot more in recent years. Its spike in popularity is due to the increased acceptance and legalization of marijuana throughout certain states in the United States. The remaining naysayers don’t realize that the oil produced from marijuana (CBD) can be phenomenal for people suffering from anxiety and depression without the psychedelic effects.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD is the oil that is extracted from the marijuana plant, and researchers have been looking into the benefits of using this oil for a long time. As of June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration of the US approved the prescription Epidiolex for the use of treating two types of epilepsy. There are two components found in the marijuana plant; THC and CBD.

THC is the part of the plant that causes the “high effects, and CBD, in comparison, does not. This is the main factor as to why the Epidiolex drug was approved. The drug is safe for people as it will not cause brain-altering side effects. However, CBD does show to produce some positive medical benefits.

Benefits of CBD Oil

According to a 2018 study conducted by Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, CBD oil has the potential to aid in the management of conditions such as; chronic pain, joint pains, sleep issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and much more. The top three medical conditions reported in the study to use CBD to treat them were pain, anxiety, and depression. Almost 36% of patients stated that CBD treated their medical condition “very well by itself,” while only 4.3% reported, “not very well.”

How is that possible? CBD oil is a natural pain reliever and has anti-inflammatory properties. These elements of the oil explain how it would be of help to people with issues and illnesses that cause pain. The real question is, how does CBD help with anxiety and depression?

Tackling Anxiety and Depression

Doctors have been telling patients that suffer from depression and anxiety disorders to avoid cannabis for years. Why? The THC found in marijuana can trigger feelings of paranoia and dread. However, that was before we started conducting studies on CBD. These studies have found that CBD oil is quite effective in reducing anxiety.

In 2019, a Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior study found that CBD significantly lowered anxiety symptoms in mice test subjects. There have been many other studies done that involved human subjects, such as the one mentioned previously. As more and more examinations are conducted, it seems that CBD can offer some relief for those suffering from anxiety and depression.

The Bottom Line

Another study was done by the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry in 2017. Fifty-seven men were tested in a simulated public speaking test. Some of the men received sugar pills, while others were given 150 milligrams, 300 milligrams, or 600 milligrams of CBD before it was their turn to speak.

Those who received the 300-milligram dose reported having significantly reduced anxiety compared to those that had the sugar pills. However, the men that received the 150 and 600 milligrams reported having more stress than the 300 users. It could be a question of what dose is better for the individual, and more studies could shed more light on this inquiry.

If you feel CBD oil would benefit your anxiety and depression disorders, it would be best to consult a doctor first. It would help if you also researched the most trusted CBD oil brands. Taking these steps could potentially help reduce your symptoms of anxiety and depression.

-Miranda Moore

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