If you’ve ever struggled with your mental health, you know how difficult it can be to manage the symptoms that often invade your daily life. Often, it takes a variety of approaches, including therapy, medications, and/or habit and lifestyle changes.
With the rise in popularity of medical marijuana and CBD, you may be wondering if it could have a positive impact on your mental health. Here’s what you need to know!
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a compound that is unique to the Cannabis sativa plant. It occurs naturally throughout the leaves, flowers, and stalks of the plant. It can be extracted and added to a wide variety of products, including CBD oil, capsules, gummies, and topical products like lotions.
CBD has been shown to have a variety of effects on the human body, including pain and nausea relief, by interacting with your body’s innate endocannabinoid receptors. However, even though it’s made from the same type of plant as marijuana, CBD cannot make you high or stoned.
What is medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana (also called medical cannabis) is a legalized, regulated form of marijuana that is taken for the purpose of relieving serious and chronic symptoms. It is available with a prescription in some states, but it is still prohibited in many areas.
Like CBD products, medical marijuana products produce a variety of effects on the body by binding to your endocannabinoid receptors. Medical marijuana can also help with pain, nausea, seizures, and other symptoms. The biggest difference is that marijuana, unlike CBD products, can produce a “high/stoned” effect. That’s because it can contain THC, the compound from the cannabis plant that causes psychoactive effects.
Can cannabis-based products really help anxiety or depression?
Many studies and clinical trials are exploring whether CBD and marijuana could reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. More studies still need to be done, but CBD has shown promise as a therapeutic option. For example:
Many users report that CBD or medical marijuana has helped them significantly by providing stress-reducing or mood-lifting effects, but others say that it didn’t provide noticeable improvements for their psychiatric conditions.
How to use CBD or medical marijuana for your mental health
It’s always a good idea to discuss with your doctor whether CBD or medical marijuana might be right for you. And, while CBD is available everywhere, medical marijuana may not be legal in your state.
CBD is legal under federal law as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC. It’s available online and in many stores, and you can find a wide variety of CBD products to choose from. Make sure to choose a reputable, high-quality brand of CBD and use it according to instructions. It’s always a good idea to start with a low dose and work your way up to ensure that you’re using the lowest effective dose.
In some states, you may be able to qualify for medical marijuana treatment if you have certain chronic conditions, including severe chronic pain or nausea, which are often associated with mental health conditions. You can check with your doctor to see if it could be a possible option for you!
