CBD and Psychology

Have you been wondering about the role of CBD in the field of psychology? If you have, then you’re in the right place: this article will help you understand how CBD may help address psychological issues such as depression and anxiety. The stresses of life can affect everyone differently and some may mind themselves dealing with depression and anxiety triggered by a stressful life event or a genetic vulnerability, among others. As you read this piece, just keep two things in mind: First, remember that CBD is a natural compound derived from the cannabis plant. However, CBD does not cause psychoactive effects like THC, its fellow cannabinoid. Second, remember that we still need more research to determine the effectiveness of CBD in treating mental health issues like depression. But early evidence suggests it could be a valuable tool for mental health professionals. The main reason? CBD appears to affect your body’s serotonin levels. 

CBD and Psychology: How Might CBD Help?

Depression is a mood disorder that affects around one in six people at some point in their life. Anti-depressants are among the most common treatments for depression. But they aren’t universally effective, and they come with plenty of unwanted side effects. Some of these effects can range from dizziness to feelings of anxiousness. That’s one reason why researchers turn to plant-based alternatives, like CBD, hoping they can offer some relief. 

And some CBD properties show plenty of promise. Taking CBD appears to impact the way your body responds to serotonin so that the neurotransmitter builds up in your system.

This could be helpful if you are depressed or dealing with symptoms of anxiety since serotonin affects your emotional state and mental health. Its role is to regulate your mood, meaning serotonin is responsible for feelings of happiness as well as feelings of sadness. If you have low levels of serotonin, you are more vulnerable to depression or anxiety. And if your serotonin levels are high, you are more inclined to have a positive outlook. As we learn more about CBD and psychology, this serotonin connection may prove to be an important part of the treatment process in mental health.

Ways to Take CBD

CBD comes in many different forms. While some prefer oral CBD, others like to apply it topically, on the skin. If, however, you’re taking CBD to address depression or anxiety symptoms, you might consider ingesting your dose.

You can also choose between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. A full-spectrum CBD oil contains a range of terpenes and cannabinoids, including trace amounts of THC. A broad-spectrum CBD oil contains terpenes and all the cannabinoids except for THC. Finally, an isolate is an almost completely pure CBD product.  

Think pure CBD is the best choice? While you should always discuss options with your doctor, many people prefer a full-spectrum CBD. This is because cannabinoids have a synergistic effect when you take them together: they work better in combination than on their own. You can also experience this “entourage effect” with a broad spectrum CBD. But CBD isolate won’t deliver this added benefit. However, if you are looking to avoid other cannabinoids and want to only experience the benefits of pure cannabidiol, CBD isolate is your best option. 

Depression and Its Symptoms

Depression is a common issue in modern society and greatly impacts mental health. Although it is a complex disorder, this broad term refers to an illness that has a lasting effect on your feelings and behavior. While all cases of depression are unique, there are circumstances in which depression may surface. Some of these circumstances are commonly known as persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, psychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder. Depression causes profound sadness, which prevents you from enjoying your life. If left untreated, you may experience severe emotional and even physical problems that impact your quality of life and ability to function at work or at home. 

Depression symptoms manifest in people differently. Examples of common symptoms include feelings of extreme sadness, difficulty sleeping, loss of energy, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of guilt and unworthiness. You should seek immediate treatment if you experience any of these symptoms. After an immediate medical intervention, you and your doctor can discuss adding CBD to your depression-fighting routine. 

Effects of Chronic Depression

When chronic depression is left untreated, your hippocampus could actually shrink.  The hippocampus is the area of your brain that is responsible for processing emotions and storing memories. When it shrinks, you may experience memory problems and a reduced ability to experience emotions. 

Taking CBD Oil for Mental Health

As we mentioned, CBD may have the potential to impact your mental health and target depression or anxiety by changing the way your body processes serotonin. Specifically, CBD seems to block serotonin production, helping your brain efficiently process existing serotonin stores in your system. 

When your brain uses this neurotransmitter properly, your mood should stabilize, and your stress levels may decrease. CBD oil also works with your endocannabinoid system (ECS) to restore internal balance. If your ECS isn’t working correctly, your energy levels, mood, sleep patterns, and eating habits may all be impacted. When you take CBD orally, you can stimulate your ECS, helping restore its function, potentially minimizing many of these depression-related symptoms. 

Of course, CBD oil and medications aren’t your only options for addressing symptoms. 

Many people benefit from psychotherapy, which involves speaking to a licensed therapist who helps you identify and work through your issues. Speaking to a therapist is another excellent option because it helps you restructure your thinking so you can take back control and start enjoying life again. 

Possible Side Effects of CBD

Now that we’ve discussed the role CBD may play in psychology, let’s consider the possible side effects of CBD. CBD is considered a mild supplement: it produces very few side effects. It is, therefore, well-tolerated by most people. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t experience some mild, unwanted effects. These include drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, elevated liver enzymes, and diarrhea. Talk to your doctor before taking CBD, especially if you have existing medical or psychiatric conditions, or are regularly taking any kind of medication, since CBD may interfere with how those medications work in your body.

Other Things to Consider Before Taking CBD

The FDA doesn’t really regulate CBD, so many products are mislabeled, either on purpose or accidentally. This is especially worrying when it comes to THC concentrations in your CBD since this can affect the product’s legality. 

CBD is only legal if it contains less than 0.3% THC; any more than that could get you high. Or in legal trouble. It’s also a problem if you’re taking CBD to help with symptoms of depression, since THC’s psychoactive effects may be especially unsettling if you struggle with your mental health. 

So, how can you avoid buying illegal or mislabeled CBD? Look for CBD brands, like Tanasi, that provide third-party testing. This testing means that manufacturers invested in outside testing to ensure that their products contain the specified, regulated concentrations of every included ingredients. It also means you won’t get unwelcome surprises when you buy this kind of high-quality CBD. Want to know what is in your product? Check for a certificate of analysis that will show cannabinoids as well as their potency in the product. At Tanasi, we provide a certificate of analysis from third-party labs to show the amount of cannabinoids in every Tanasi full-spectrum cannabinoid product. 

After all, surprises are the last thing you want when you’re dealing with your mental health. Instead, you need to manage stress and take back control, so you can return to the activities that you once enjoyed. It is our greatest wish that our full-spectrum CBD oil products can be a helpful part of your journey. So please reach out if you have any questions about including our CBD oils in your daily routine.