I know that when I first started learning about CBD I had a lot of questions. Like what are any benefits of CBD? Does CBD help the Brain? Well, I am starting this series on The Benefits of CBD. I will post different topics on CBD and its benefits. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing this blog.
The Benefits of CBD on the Brain
CBD helps the brain by being the following:
- antipsychotic
- antidepressant
- anti-anxiety
- antioxidant
- neuroprotective
Antipsychotic effects of CBD
One of the benefits of CBD is it is an antipsychotic. A study posted in 2012 states that “CBD appears to have pharmacological profile similar to that of atypical antipsychotic drugs as seem using behavioral and neurochemical techniques in animal models.” These promising results support the idea that CBD may be a future therapeutic option for those suffering from psychosis and schizophrenia.
The most common forms of psychosis are mental illnesses such as schizophrenia which affects more than 20 million people worldwide and bipolar disorder. Psychotic symptoms can also occur in conditions like Parkinson’s disease and alcohol or drug abuse.
As Cannabis is becoming more open and more states are legalizing it we hope more studies can be done to find ways for CBD to help the Brain.
CBD as an antidepressant
Do you suffer from depression? Well over 4o million Americans report taking at least one antidepressant, while over 35 million reports taking an anti-anxiety medication. In the years between 1999 and 2012, the percentage of Americans on antidepressants has almost doubled.
So how does CBD help those with depression? First, it’s good to understand how the regular SSRI treatments work. Pharmaceutical SSRI drugs work by targeting serotonin receptors such as the 5-HT1A receptors. Through these drugs, serotonin absorption into the brain is restricted so that there is more serotonin available. Having serotonin floating around in the synaptic space means that the brain can communicate better, which in turn can assist in reducing symptoms of depression.
CBD treatments appear to show similar effects to those of SSRIs and in studies by researchers, CBD seems to have even more powerful results than traditional treatments. In a preclinical animal study, CBD seemed to increase transmission of 5-HT1A thereby increasing serotonin availability.
CBD as an anti-anxiety
Most of my reviews are about using CBD to help with my anxiety issues. Anxiety comes in many forms and those of us who have it are not diagnosed. Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities.
Some symptoms of anxiety are a state of uneasiness and apprehension. One feels like there is a cloud over your head. Whenever I have an anxiety attack I cannot concentrate properly. My mind starts to dwell on things that it shouldn’t. Anxiety is not an illness, but an emotional state.
CBD helps with anxiety-related disorders such as:
- Panic disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Mild to moderate depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Social phobia
The most common symptom of anxiety is social anxiety. This is where most of us have trouble with other people. It can range from stage fright or someone who is afraid of being around other people.
CBD helps the brain by allowing it to change the flow of blood in the regions that are linked to anxiety. Researchers in Brazil conducted a double-blind study of patients afflicted with social anxiety. After consuming CBD participants reported a significant decrease in anxiety. Researchers validated the patients’ reports by performing brain scans showing cerebral blood flow patterns consistent with an anti-anxiety effect.
The data on long-term use of CBD oil is limited. While research strongly points to the role of CBD in treating short-term anxiety, little is known about its long-term effects, or how it can be used as a prolonged treatment. Therefore, we need more research and for Cannabis to be removed from a Schedule 1 drug to a lower rating.
How is CBD an antioxidant?
An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals, leading to chain reactions that may damage cells.
Free radicals are actually quite destructive and more like molecular kleptomaniacs. They are incomplete molecules that rampage through the body stealing electrons from other proteins, causing damage to our DNA and other cell structures.
One of the best benefits of CBD is its ability to protect against neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress is believed to be the root cause of numerous ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disorders and heart failure, inflammatory diseases and even certain forms of cancer.
What is Neuroprotection?
Neuroprotection refers to the preservation of neuronal structure and/or function in the brain. CBD is a neuroprotective agent by countering the effects of reduced oxygen in the Brain. CBD may help modulate issues associated with limited oxygen in the brain, including inflammation and neuronal cell death. Researchers tested CBD on piglets and found promising results.
Cannabinoids including CBD are capable of Neurogenesis. They can help repair and replace damaged Neurotransmitters from the result of manufactured medications such as Benzodiazepines. For people who have been on Benzos for years and am are tapering CBD has helped improved NT levels.
The benefits of CBD are tremendous. We need more research and as time goes by we will continue to push the envelope on what we can do with CBD and other Cannabinoids. Who would have thought that we would have been able to take CBD in a tablet form 3 years ago? Stay tuned for my next series on how CBD helps the stomach.