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Mental health is one of the critical aspects of overall well-being. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming amount of work of most fast-paced lifestyles, many suffer from emotional, mental, and physical stress.
Sometimes the stress becomes chronic and develops into severe anxiety where it starts affecting your life. It can keep you in constant fear and affects your sleep and concentration. In many cases, stress can lead to depression, which can result in unpredictable mood swings, sadness, and a lack of enthusiasm in your common interests. If you think depression and anxiety can’t affect you, think again. According to this medical data, almost 17 million Americans suffer from depression episodes annually.
Most of the current anti-anxiety and anti-depression treatments involve the use of SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) drugs. These antidepressants work on the brain by increasing the pleasure hormone serotonin in the body. However, like all chemicals, these drugs also have side effects such as weight gain, constipation, and sleep hampering.
Alternatively, research has found that CBD (Cannabidiol), a compound derived from the cannabis Sativa plant, can help fight against depression and anxiety. The CBD revolution is already gaining popularity in multiple countries for its use in pain management and relief against anxiety. It provides a natural way to come out strong against anxiety and depression without any known side-effects. Let’s look at five ways you can use CBD to effectively combat anxiety and depression.
1. CBD gummies for depression-induced Weight Gain
A common side-effect of antidepressants is weight gain and irregular appetite. Apart from the side-effects, depression, and anxiety, in general, create a lack of interest in any physical activity. The stress associated with depression releases the hormone cortisol in the body that also affects glucose and fat metabolism leading to various cardiovascular and obesity issues.
A Men’s Journal article states that CBD can help in motivating you to exercise by aiding in serotonin releases, which creates the “runner’s high” during a workout. It can also curb appetite and help control glucose release in the body, thus increasing your metabolism.
Therefore, adding CBD gummies or candies in your pre and post-workout diet reduces the chances of skipping exercises and improves metabolism to stay in good shape if you experience anxiety. For tasty and nutritious CBD gummies, try the CBDfx gummies that come in multiple flavors. With CBD gummies, you don’t need to worry about the dosage of CBD.
2. CBD Oil Tinctures for Improved Cognitive Abilities
Another massive setback that you can receive during depression is the reduction in cognitive abilities. Depression can affect concentration and inactivity. A study found that depression causes damage to a portion of the brain (hippocampus) that’s responsible for learning and memory.
Studies reveal that taking CBD has shown to improve cognitive abilities. It activates the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain to initiate neuroplasticity. In this process, new neurons develop in the hippocampus area of the brain (a kind of self-healing process of the brain).
For improved cognitive abilities, take CBD oil tincture sublingually (i.e., pour a few drops of the tincture inside your mouth and below your tongue). For a better taste, try one of the flavored CBD oil tinctures.
3. Vaping CBD for Sleep
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A healthy deep-sleep cycle is essential for the body to recover from stress and the development of the brain and neurons and plays a vital role in your mental well-being. While anxiety can hamper your deep-sleep cycle, depression can be even worse as it can lead to insomnia (a complete lack of sleep), which. makes it hard to function, adds stress, and leads to increased anxiety and depression.
CBD may be able to help break the cycle of anxiety-insomnia-depression. A study reports that CBD improves sleep latency( i.e., it speeds up your sleeping ability from an awake state). It also helps to increase the REM sleep cycle (dream phase) and increases the deep-sleep cycle that’s essential for cognitive development.
For sleep disorders, vaping is one of the fastest and most efficient ways of consuming CBD. All you need is a vape device and a high-quality CBD e-liquid. You can inhale the vapor without worrying about any toxic gases, and the CBD releases directly into the lungs and enters the bloodstream. For maximum effectiveness, vape 30 minutes before going to bed.
4. Smoking cannabis for Emotional Well-Being
Anxiety and depression cause you to become emotionally weak, irritable, experience bad moods, and in extreme cases, have suicidal thoughts. As discussed in Point 2, depression damages the hippocampus region of the brain that is also responsible for emotions in your body.
CBD helps repair the emotion center of the brain and rewires your brain for positive emotional thoughts. It also activates the serotonin receptors in the brain that elevates the mood of the person suffering from depression. A study conducted on rats revealed that CBD when combined with antidepressants, reduced suicidal tendencies.
Smoking cannabis with potent CBD and low concentration of THC is a simple and effective method of releasing stress and elevating your emotional well-being, according to an article from Washington State University. Smoking cannabis is safer than smoking tobacco and has a high concentration of CBD to enter your bloodstream through the lungs.
5. CBD Infused Food and Drinks to Reduce Anxiety
Apart from the vapes, tinctures, and smoking CBD, another exciting means to fight the symptoms of anxiety is the innovative CBD-infused food and drinks. CBD edibles come in various forms like CBD infused tea, which has great sleep-inducing effects and is an excellent home remedy for anxiety-induced sleep disorder). Other methods include CBD kombucha that has probiotic effects along with anxiety-relief. Another innovative way to include CBD in your fight against anxiety and depression is to use CBD oil in your cold salad dressings, smoothies, and milkshakes. However, remember not to use CBD oil in hot foods as CBD evaporates in the heat.
Final Thoughts
So now that we know the above ways to use CBD to tackle anxiety and depression, remember, do not lose hope. When you’re depressed. talk to a close friend or family member and never shy away from asking for help.