CBD Oil for Anxiety, Depression, and More

By Dr. Justin Marchegiani

What is CBD?

The cannabis plant (commonly known as marijuana) is made up of two main compounds: THC and CBD. THC is what “gets you high,” while CBD is the non-psychoactive component that can come from either marijuana or from hemp.

CBD Oil for Anxiety and Depression

Studies have shown CBD reduces autonomic responses to stress and its emotional consequences by facilitating neurotransmission mediation and through assisting in certain neurological functions.

CBD has been studied for its positive effect on depression and anxiety disorders, including:

• Depression
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic attacks and panic disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Social phobia
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Click here to for help from a functional medicine doctor if you’re suffering from emotional issues!

More Benefits of CBD

In addition to the anxiolytic and antidepressant properties of CBD oil, studies have also shown CBD to provide the following benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory: CBD has the ability to suppress chronic inflammation without causing analgesic tolerance.
• Antiemetic (help with nausea and vomiting): Although science has only just proven this, cannabis has been used for centuries to help reduce nausea.
• Antipsychotic: CBD has a pharmacological profile similar to certain antipsychotic drugs. Studies have shown the effectiveness and safety of using CBD to treat psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
• Protects against cancer: CBD demonstrates the ability to inhibit the proliferation, growth, and migration of cancer cells.
• Relieves pain: Cannabinoids inhibit certain transmissions in pain pathways, which means CBD can provide natural pain relief.
• Treats epilepsy and seizures: Not only has CBD-enriched cannabis been studied for its incredible ability to reduce seizures in epileptic children; a later study observed the effects of a particular CBD extract on cases of treatment-resistant epilepsy. This CBD extract finally provided relief for patients who had been resistant to medications.

Legality and Safety of CBD

CBD is still classified as schedule 1 drug in the United States, though several states allow cannabinoids high in CBD and low in THC:

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

While THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana that may induce unwanted paranoia and anxiety in some people, CBD actually reduces and counteracts these effects. Research on CBD is still in the early stages, though it appears to be a safe, non-toxic, natural treatment for a wide variety of mental and physical health issues.

Click here to schedule a introductory functional medicine consult to start feeling better today!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697769/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585736

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20829306

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129319

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24923339

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16258853

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716160