Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over a hundred cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. ¹ It has an indirect effect on our endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is responsible for several different functions, including:

• Emotions
• Inflammation
• Mood
• Pain

With such versatile effects, many people have turned to CBD for its natural medicinal value. Still, there are a lot of questions as to whether or not it’s a prominent option for mental health.

Unfortunately, CBD research is still slim. This is largely thanks to an 80-year prohibition. However, with the release of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and CBD were federally legalized. As a result, more research is starting to appear.

CBD 101

Here are some frequently asked questions to give you a rundown of everything you need to know concerning CBD:

Is CBD legal?

Yes! Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp are federally legal. However, some states have different regulations for usage, sale, and distribution. ²

Is it safe to consume CBD?

Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved CBD for any medical use (except for Epidiolex), almost all research has found it to be safe for both adult and child consumption. ³

Still, CBD can come with side effects and inhibit the efficiency of other medications. If you plan to use CBD for medical purposes, you should consult a doctor beforehand.

Will CBD get you high?

No! Most CBD products are not made from marijuana, they’re made from hemp. Marijuana products incorporate another cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It’s this compound that causes the psychotropic effects cannabis is known for.

All federally-legal CBD products are required to have less than 0.3% THC. ⁴ Furthermore, recent studies have found CBD actually can reverse the psychoactive effects of THC.

How much CBD should you take?

People react to CBD differently depending on several factors. The most notable of these is weight. Simply put, the more you weigh, the more CBD you’ll need to garner the effects.

However, no matter your weight, most professionals recommend you start small and work your way up. This way, you get a sense of how CBD affects you and how much you need to reach the desired effects.

Can CBD help with your mental health?

As of this time, there’s only so much research concerning CBD and mental health. Therefore, we cannot conclude that it will or won’t help you. Still, we’ve laid out a chunk of the research available to show CBD’s potential.

Anxiety

One of the most popular uses for CBD is for anxiety. Current research has found that CBD has specific effects on the brain which could be powerful in treating anxiety:

• 5-HT1A Agonist – Within the serotonin system is a subtype of receptors known as 5-HT1A. Many anxiety and depression medications inhibit the serotonin system. In a study conducted on animals, it was found that cannabidiol increased 5-HT1A transmission. ⁵

• Hippocampal Neurogenesis – The hippocampus is an area of the brain responsible for memory formation and cognition. Research has found that people who struggle with depression or anxiety tend to have a smaller hippocampus. In a study conducted on animals, it was found that CBD regenerates neurons within the hippocampus. ⁶

In a separate study coming out of Brazil, two sets of patients were given either CBD or a placebo to test if it treated generalized anxiety disorder. It was found that those who had taken CBD had notably reduced levels of anxiety. ⁷

ADHD

There’s been some research on CBD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it’s limited. ⁸ As of this time, it’s believed to have some benefits for hyperactive-impulsive symptoms. On top of that, CBD was also found to reduce cognitive symptoms of ADHD.

Still, it’s important to understand this research also looked into marijuana’s effects on ADHD. Therefore, we cannot conclude that CBD played the most prominent role in these results.

Bipolar Disorder

Since CBD is known for its antipsychotic and anticonvulsive properties, researchers wonder if it can play a role in controlling symptoms of bipolar disorder. Especially those of a manic episode.

Unfortunately, most of the research found that CBD didn’t play much of a role in reducing manic episodes. ⁹ Still, it may help to ease depressive episodes (see below).

It’s important to note that people with bipolar disorder shouldn’t take THC products as it may induce psychosis.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most difficult mental health conditions to treat. There are no medications approved by the FDA. So, some wonder whether or not CBD can help.

What we do know about cannabidiol and BPD is linked to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for regulating a variety of functions within the body and brain. From how we feel to our reaction to things happening around us. ¹⁰

Our ECS sends neurotransmitters throughout the brain and body to process this information. However, when our neurotransmitters aren’t working properly, symptoms BPD symptoms become more likely.

CBD has been found to balance out our endocannabinoid system. ¹¹ In effect, it may ease symptoms of BPD. Still, more research is necessary.

Depression

Through anxiety, we learned a bit about how CBD can help those struggling with depression.  Due to how CBD affects serotonin receptors and our hippocampus, researchers believe CBD may be a significant form of treatment.

Further research has concluded that CBD acts as an antidepressant, anti-stress, and anti-anxiety within animals. Since CBD doesn’t directly affect the endocannabinoid system, it’s believed it may be a non-addictive alternative to current forms of depression treatment. ¹²

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Since obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a form of anxiety, CBD holds similar potential here. There are a few qualities of CBD that can have a direct effect on various symptoms of OCD:

• Anti-Epileptic – Currently, the FDA has only approved CBD for the treatment of seizures, convulsions, and muscle spasms. Due to this, CBD may be able to decrease the severity of obsessive and compulsive conduct. ¹³

• Antipsychotic – As discussed, CBD has antipsychotic properties which may help certain symptoms of OCD.

• Anxiolytic – CBD has been able to significantly decrease symptoms of anxiety due to its effects on the brain, body, and endocannabinoid system.

Research has found that CBD can have a positive effect on OCD. ¹⁴ This is because CBD affects the limbic region of the brain. This area is responsible for creating symptoms associated with a variety of disorders including OCD, dementia, and epilepsy.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another form of anxiety that CBD may help with. With this condition, medical professionals struggle with improving memory consolidation and retrieval. More often than not, these are directly affected by the traumatic experience.

To overcome trauma, you must activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors – the two receptors responsible for traveling through the endocannabinoid system. Admittedly, THC is better at this activation as it directly affects CB1 receptors. ¹⁵ By doing so, THC actually helps to rid the mind of traumatic memories.

However, since CBD indirectly levels out these receptors, it has the potential to ease symptoms of PTSD. ¹⁶

Schizophrenia

Due to CBD’s antipsychotic abilities, it might be able to play a role in treating symptoms of schizophrenia. More notably, researchers are looking into how CBD affects cognition in people with schizophrenia. This is because schizophrenics tend to have cognitive defects (anywhere from 75% to 85% of patients). ¹⁷

Still, there isn’t enough evidence to suggest you can use CBD for schizophrenia. It should be noted that people with schizophrenia are advised not to consume marijuana (THC) as this can induce psychosis or psychoactive behavior.

Substance Abuse Disorder

When it comes to substance abuse disorder and CBD, most research has specifically looked into opioid addiction. More specifically, research is concerned with reducing cravings and relapse after traditional treatment.

In one study, 42 men and women who had a history of heroin abuse were given either CBD or a placebo. They were then shown video clips meant to either counteract drug cravings or induce them. What researchers discovered was cravings and anxiety had significantly dropped in those who received CBD. ¹⁸

Should You Try CBD?

Since CBD is safe to consume, there is no danger in giving it a try. However, as of this time, we can’t currently claim CBD is the answer to treating any kind of mental disorder.

Furthermore, most research suggests CBD probably won’t be the solution. Rather, it can be a complementary therapy to traditional treatment.

References

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² Text – H.R.2 – 115th Congress (2017-2018): Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. (2018, December 20). https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2/text

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