There has been anecdotal evidence for the many benefits cannabis products like hemp CBD can have on mental health for years. But until recently, there have not been many scientific studies conducted on the mental and physical benefits of CBD in the United States.
Lack of study on hemp CBD is partially because hemp CBD has only been legal to sell in all 50 states since 2018 (thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill). Before then, the federal government included hemp in its classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug for many years. Along with heroin, LSD, and ecstasy, the Drug Enforcement Agency considered marijuana and hemp, two forms of the cannabis plant, to have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Barriers like this often make it difficult for researchers, as they are required to have special licenses to study certain substances.
However, as hemp CBD, medical, and recreational marijuana become legalized throughout the country, more studies are being conducted to find out what health benefits these Cannabis plants can offer. As a result of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and its products (including hemp CBD) became legal to buy and sell in the US. Due to this increased availability (you can even buy hemp CBD online), public interest in CBD has increased and, more importantly, it is easier for researchers to conduct scientific studies to find out what health benefits hemp CBD can offer.
And preliminary research already shows that CBD has promising potential for a variety of mental health problems. Currently, people use hemp CBD to help with a wide variety of mental health issues, like stress, addiction, and depression.
Hemp CBD and Depression
Nearly 1 in 5 adult Americans experience chronic or temporary depression, but it seems that hemp CBD may be able to help with depression.
Preliminary research suggests that this is because of the way CBD interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. Sometimes known as the “happy chemical,” Serotonin regulates things like appetite, emotions, and motor, cognitive, and autonomic functions.
A study conducted in 2014 on animals revealed that CBD works with serotonin receptors to reduce feelings of depression. A more recent study, done in 2018, showed that CBD can also reduce stress which can contribute to depression. And finally, another animal study from 2018 showed that CBD has the potential to be a fast-acting antidepressant that can lessen symptoms quickly. Though more human trials need to be conducted, there is plenty of initial evidence to show CBD’s potential to help those who suffer from depression.
Hemp CBD and Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that impairs brain functions to the point where patients no longer feel a sense of reality. Symptoms include hallucinations and speech issues, making schizophrenia a serious mental health problem.
According to a 2018 study, CBD has the potential to help those who suffer from Schizophrenia because the cannabinoid offers users antipsychotic effects.
Researchers treated 2 groups of Schizophrenic patients for 6 weeks. The group that was prescribed CBD had fewer positive psychotic symptoms than the group that did not take CBD. The group who used CBD were also more likely to have their condition described as improved by their treating clinician. The study also concluded that there were no recognizable adverse effects of the CBD treatment and that it was well-tolerated by patients.
Hemp CBD and Anxiety
Many cannabis users have touted the anecdotal effects that CBD can have on anxiety disorders.
A review of scientific studies done in 2015 supports these claims that CBD in particular can be a helpful treatment for anxiety. That is because the hemp-based compound reacts with receptors in the brain that regulate fear and stress. The study’s author described CBD as having “considerable potential” to treat anxiety disorders, though more human research is needed.
A 2020 study conducted in Australia surveyed nearly 400 adults who were given CBD for a variety of ailments, including depression and anxiety. Those who struggled with these mental health issues reported to researchers that they were better able to perform daily tasks and that their anxiety symptoms decreased over the 3-week period.
Though dosage requirements can vary according to things like your sex, height, and weight, a 2019 study found that 300–600 mg of CBD is an effective way to reduce anxiety symptoms in adult males.
Hemp CBD for Stress
2020 has been a stressful year. In fact, the American Psychological Association says that over the long term, “the negative mental health effects of the coronavirus will be serious and long-lasting.” This is especially concerning to folks that understand how stress can negatively impact your health. Studies have shown that “subjects exposed to stress, e.g. those that work or live in stressful environments, have a higher likelihood of many disorders” and that “stress can exert various actions on the body ranging from alterations in homeostasis to life-threatening effects and death.”
Due to the negative impact stress has on our health, it is no wonder that more people have been looking to CBD as a way to manage their stress. The good news for people buying hemp CBD for stress is that studies seems to show there is merit in this idea. For example, one 2015 study shows that “systemically administered CBD reduced acute increases in heart rate and blood pressure induced by restraint stress, as well as the delayed anxiogenic effects of stress.” The study also spoke of CBD as, “a potential treatment for anxiety disorders” like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Another way CBD can help with stress is to help users sleep. For example, a 2016 study researched the effectiveness of CBD specifically on PTSD and insomnia. What they found was that CBD significantly reduced PTSD induced anxiety and aided in a healthy sleep pattern. Sleep is an especially important part of combating stress. A 2018 study conducted to understand the association of sleep and stress concluded that stress “is associated with short sleep duration” and that stressed out individuals “need to sleep adequately in order to manage stress.”
In conclusion, hemp CBD has several potential mental health benefits.
While the research is still relatively new and more studies need to be done, it is apparent that hemp CBD has great potential to help those suffering from mental health problems.
If you’re looking for the highest quality of hemp CBD to help bring you comfort and happiness, check out Ruby’s Happy Farm where you can buy hemp CBD online and have it delivered to your door.
Right now, all orders over $100 receive free shipping. You can also use the promo code: RELAX2020 for 5% off your order.
As always, for all things hemp CBD, visit our hemp CBD blog often and if you have any questions about this strain or CBD in general, reach out at: https://rubyshappyfarm.com/pages/say-hello.
Ruby's Happy Farm, LLC was established on 6 acres of family legacy land that had been farmed by earlier generations for 50+ years. Our farm is licensed to grow Hemp and is located in Tennessee. At
Ruby's Happy Farm, LLC each individual hemp flower is carefully planted, by hand, without the use of plant fertilizers or pesticides. Transparency is critical; a certificate of analysis (COA), soil and pesticide tests are available for review upon request.
Contact Ruby’s Happy Farm, LLC if you need additional information.