Can CBD help aid mental health issues?

Whilst CBD can still bind to the receptors in the brain, it doesn’t have the same effect on the body that THC does, and instead is thought to produce therapeutic effects such as reducing inflammation. However, it’s also believed that CBD can have an effect on the neurotransmitters that are involved with serotonin – a chemical that’s involved with the regulation of mood. Low serotonin levels have been linked to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, with first-line treatments for these conditions consisting of medicines that raise the amount of serotonin in the brain.

Unfortunately, research into how CBD can help with mental health issues is limited, but if CBD does alter serotonin receptors like current theories claim, it’s entirely possible that it could aid with depression and anxiety, supporting anecdotal evidence on social media sites and forums.

As it isn’t yet fully understood as to how CBD may help with mental health disorders, it’s unlikely that GPs would recommend it as a treatment for anxiety or depression, but there are currently no official guidelines that say it shouldn’t be taken with certain medications.

How do you take CBD?

There are many different forms of CBD, and not all of them are taken in the same way. One of the most common forms is CBD oil, which can either come with a dropper or as an oral spray. These types of CBD should be absorbed sublingually (under the tongue), and allow you to control the dosage yourself. Because it isn’t a medicine, there isn’t a patient information leaflet to tell you how much to take, so it’s always a good idea to start off with small doses and gradually build up to find your tolerance level.

Another common method of taking CBD is to buy it in e-liquid form, though it’s important to note that the safety of e-cigarettes or vaping haven’t yet been fully explored, so if you don’t already vape regularly, it may be a good idea to try CBD in oil form first.

Will CBD help me with my mental health issues?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to say either way whether CBD will help you, but that’s the same for many other novel foods and substances, as well as even some licenced medicines.

If you think that using CBD might help you with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, it can be found in varying strengths in health shops and online. You should gradually increase your dose if you don’t feel any benefits by taking a low-strength version, but make sure that you stay aware of how you’re feeling, and don’t stop taking any prescribed medicines without speaking to your doctor first.