Dealing with depression for one day is challenging enough, but enduring this mental health disorder for weeks or months is a test for any human being. Although it can be hard to be proactive when you are depressed, you must find that tiny part of you that propels you to take action and deal with your mental challenges in a healthy manner. Over the years, medical professionals have shown us a range of ways to treat depression, but because there isn’t a one size fits all type of cure, it takes time for depression to be tackled for different people.
From traditional medicine to mindfulness techniques, a shift in diet, and lifestyle changes, there are several ways you can experience relief from your depression. Now, there is another way to manage your depression, thanks to the natural compound known as CBD.
What is remarkable about CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound that cultivators find in the Cannabis Sativa plant species. The latter holds over 100 cannabinoids in its stems and flowers, and many of these deliver those euphoric effects. The remarkable thing about CBD is that it is a non-intoxicating psychoactive. Hemp-derived CBD with less than 0.2 percent THC cannot make you high, nor can you experience increased paranoia or be at risk of an overdose.
CBD triggers changes in the body through the molecular design known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The latter uses its receptors to send signals throughout the body and trigger change so that the body is in a constant state of homeostasis—optimal balance. The ECS regulates critical bodily functions such as temperature, mood, appetite, sleep, and other processes. Although researchers require more time and studies to understand how CBD triggers change, they know that it signals to the receptors and produces positive effects.
CBD’s legality in several countries has led to an industry boom, with premium brands delivering a range of high-quality CBD products. Whether you visit a brick-and-mortar store or shop online, you can find various CBD-infused products. If you are a newbie, why not THC gummies today. For quick results, opt for CBD oil and e-liquids, while capsules and other edibles can work an hour after you take them and last for up to 12 hours.
How effective is CBD for depression?
It is important to note that CBD cannot cure depression, and if you find CBD products with such claims, you should not trust the brand. This natural compound cannot eliminate your mental health issues after one dose, but it can help you find relief during the toughest times.
Preliminary research shows the many ways CBD can do so. Researchers note that this natural compound has antidepressant-like effects thanks to its interaction with the neurotransmitter known as serotonin. The latter, also referred to as the happy chemical, is critical because it helps us experience feelings of well-being. Researchers report how CBD interacts with this neurotransmitter to promote those happy feelings, but they have yet to determine how it does so. Some believe that CBD triggers changes to the body to produce more of this happy chemical. In contrast, others believe that CBD encourages the body to better use the serotonin already present.
Researchers also note how CBD interacts with GABA levels in the brain. Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps us react to challenging situations more calmly. CBD’s interaction with this neurotransmitter is critical as it helps manage its levels and enables users to experience a more profound sense of calm even during challenging situations.
Users liken CBD to an eraser. They explain how this cannabinoid removes the negative thoughts and emotions overwhelming them rather than clouding the mind as some marijuana products do. As a result, CBD users experience a sense of clarity, and they are more able to focus on the present moment. For this reason, many are pairing this natural compound with mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga.
Besides its direct influence on anxiety, CBD can interact with other issues resulting from a direct cause of depression. This natural compound can balance hormones, including the stress hormone, to keep the body in continual fight-or-flight mode. It can encourage sleep when taken in high-doses if depression inhibits you from falling and staying asleep.
In contrast, it can boost energy and act as a wake-promoting agent when taken in high doses. CBD is also a potent painkiller thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help you experience pain relief and bring a sense of respect to your day if chronic pain is the cause of your depression.
Tackling your depression with more clarity
What makes this natural compound appealing is its non-addictive properties. Preliminary research shows that since CBD signals rather than binds to the receptors, it is less likely to become addictive to this cannabinoid. Moreover, researchers have only observed minimal side effects when users take CBD, including dry mouth, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
Conclusion
Although it is not a miracle drug, CBD can deliver a sense of clarity, especially if you have been under a dark cloud for what seems like forever. This natural compound may help you see things with more presence and potentially help you perceive your mental health struggles differently. It could help you accept your depression and remind you that you are not your thoughts and emotions but something far more serene and stable beyond them.
