Today, more people are turning to CBD oil for anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis to combat stress, ease worries and deal with mental health issues.Governments around the world are “following the science” on how best to deal with coronavirus. If you’re struggling with anxiety caused by the pandemic, or if the public health crisis has exacerbated an existing mental health condition, you’re not alone. Perhaps the science behind CBD and its benefits can help.During this prolonged period of uncertainty, what does the growing body of knowledge on cannabidiol tell us about how it can improve mental wellbeing?
Sowing The Seeds Of CBD
First things first. CBD is not marijuana. It will not get you ‘high’, nor trip away into reliving the Summer of Love.But CBD really is the essence of Flower Power. So what is CBD?Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient derived from the hemp plant. CBD is extracted from the stalks or flowers of Cannabis sativa plants (C. Sativa).Hemp is a specific variety of C. Sativa. Hemp has been grown and harvested for thousands of years. Hemp has many uses. It has long provided us with items such as rope and clothing and is used as a foodstuff.Many people worry that CBD is a psychoactive compound akin to cannabis. But it is the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contained in marijuana, which provides the ‘high’. CBD typically contains trace amounts of THC but at such minuscule amounts that it has no effect on the brain.
At Its Root – The ABC Of CBD
CBD oil is a legal cannabinoid in the UK. In the UK, the level of THC contained in plants used to cultivate CBD cannot be greater than 0.2%, or 1 mg in the finished product (that’s the equivalent of a tiny fraction of a raindrop). It also must not be possible to separate THC easily from the CBD.Recent years have seen an explosion in the benefits claimed for using CBD oil. In a short space of time, the market for CBD products has grown from a handful of specialist producers to now featuring in many health supplements, beauty products and food items.You can buy CBD oil in different formats, such as creams, capsules, lotions, tinctures, vapes, body washes, bath bombs, moisturisers, balms and sprays.How you choose to take CBD oil is down to personal preference. But what are the claimed benefits from its use? At the last count, there was at least 30, including:
Pain relief;
Helping with migraines and chronic headaches;
Alleviating osteoarthritis joint and neuropathic pain;
Reducing the pain associated with cancer;
Promoting healthy sleep;
Reducing inflammation;
Helping with issues caused by fibromyalgia;
Promoting fitness and sporting performance;
Alleviating conditions related to multiple sclerosis;
Diminishing the symptoms of arthritis;
In the treatment of epilepsy and seizures;
Curbing nicotine addiction;
Reducing the negative effects of opioid drug addiction;
Aid in alleviating alcohol withdrawal;
Act as a digestive aid;
Soothing acne and dry skin;
Act as a muscle relaxant;
Benefitting heart health;
Lowering the risk of diabetes and obesity;
Improving immune response;
Relief from nausea and vomiting;
Reducing anxiety and social anxiety disorders;
Helping with depression and low mood;
Relieving stress;
Alleviating the symptoms of PTSD.
All of the above benefits have been demonstrated in some form of scientific study. Some positive CBD effects have been shown by studies to be effective, some to show promise and some have been inconclusive to date, requiring further research.
CBD & COVID-19
There is research underway to ascertain whether extracts from cannabis plants, including the compounds CBD and THC, have a role to play in the combat of COVID-19. As reported by Forbes, to date, this has shown promise, but further studies will be required to determine the true effectiveness of CBD in alleviating the physical symptoms of coronavirus.Yet we’re facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. The era of lockdowns, job losses, money worries and fears for loved ones shows no sign of abating. Indeed, according to a government survey, nearly 47% of adults have struggled with anxiety during the pandemic.That’s where CBD products can help. By adding cannabidiol to your coronavirus coping mechanisms, it may well help alleviate stress and help you relax.And you’d be joining an estimated 6 million Brits who love CBD and use it regularly, with 38% reporting they have incorporated it into their strategies for dealing with anxiety and stress.
How Can I Build CBD Into My Lifestyle?
COVID-19 may come and go. But for now, the virus is here to stay. And that means a prolonged period of anxiety and stress caused by the disease for millions around the globe.Self-care is a vital part of any happy and healthy holistic lifestyle. And that is true now more so than ever.CBD is not a temporary cure-all. The benefits of cannabidiol are best experienced when used over a prolonged period. That means building CBD into your health regime and your lifestyle.Useful tips for adding CBD to your physical and mental self-care routine include:
Add CBD to your daily supplement routine – whether you take multivitamins, cod liver oil, probiotics, or prescribed medication, take CBD at the same time, so you don’t forget;
Add CBD to your food and drink – For people suffering from a mental health condition, adding one more thing to the to-do list can simply be too much. Since we all need to eat and drink, you can add CBD to your daily meals and fluid intake;
Add CBD to your bedtime routine – Many people who suffer from anxiety, stress or depression have trouble sleeping. Taking some CBD – in a manner of your choice – is a great way to receive the holistic benefits of the substance while promoting a restful night;
Use CBD as a stress management tool – Many of us may have used Rescue Remedy (or similar) herbal droppers as and when we feel particularly stressed or depressed. You can do the same with CBD, particularly so as it is fast-acting. The quickest way to receive the benefits of CBD is to inhale it through a vape pen.
