According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling or mood. A traumatic event is one of the most common causes of mental illnesses. Events have suggested that CBD may help.
The most common mental illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar and anxiety disorders, and depression.
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality.
- Unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking
- Movement disorders
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in energy, mood, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusual behavior, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, unusually intense emotions.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders are often diagnosed among those with bipolar disorder.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders. Anxiety disorder is often characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities.
Anxiety disorders share some general symptoms:
- Dry mouth
- Panic and fear
- Sleep problems
- Inability to stay calm
- Cold, sweaty, numb hands or feet
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Tense muscles
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Persistent sad or anxious mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Feeling restless
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
How does CBD help?
CBD enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.
A 2005 review stated that cannabidiol (CBD) may exert sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic and anticonvulsant effects.
Stress is the underlier of many anxiety disorders and can exacerbate the effects of most mental illnesses. A review from Neurotherapeutics found that CBD may help reduce anxiety.
Anxiety and depression are usually treated with pharmaceutical drugs, which can cause a number of side effects including drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, agitation, insomnia, and headache. CBD, on the other hand, helps relieve those symptoms without the side effects.
Cannabidiol (CBD) induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission.
While CBD helps with many mental illnesses, one should consult with their medical provider before using CBD.
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