CBD, or cannabidiol, is this rad compound you’ll find in cannabis plants. Don’t confuse it with its cousin THC though—CBD isn’t about that high life. It’s totally non-psychoactive.
But CBD has been lighting up the wellness world because of its potential health perks. People are using it for all sorts of stuff. For instance, it can induce feelings of relaxation and reduce inflammation.
While CBD can’t get you “high”, you’re sure to want to know how it can affect your mind before you try it. So, here are four things to know.
Types of CBD Products You Can Try
First off, it’s worth mentioning that CBD is legal in many countries – and almost every U.S. state, due to the 2018 US Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and hemp-derived products at the federal level.
You can buy CBD in various forms – so you don’t have to smoke the flower. You can purchase edibles like gummies, topical creams, and oils, to name just a few of the high-quality CBD products available.
Just make sure you buy from a reputable and licensed vendor – such as Hometown Hero.
Now, let’s look at how cannabidiol affects the mind.
1. CBD Can Affect Areas of the Brain Associated with Anxiety and Depression
When it comes to calming the storm in your head due to anxiety or depression, CBD might just be your undercover hero.
For instance, in one study, it was discovered that CBD reduces blood flow to those areas of the brain that are linked with anxiety – like the hypothalamus. In turn, CBD can reduce the feelings of anxiety.
But wait, there’s more! CBD can also work on your serotonin receptor – which influences depression symptoms. So, CBD could be beneficial for people who suffer from depression.
2. CBD Can Impact Your Endocannabinoid System
If you’re not aware, you’ve got this epic system in your body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s kind of like the maestro of your body, keeping everything in harmony.
Now, let’s talk about what happens when CBD enters the system. Basically, CBD is like that friend who knows just how to cheer you up – it interacts with and activates receptors in the ECS without taking over the conversation like the psychoactive hemp component THC can.
When CBD comes knocking, it’s a subtle nudge to the ECS saying “Hey buddy, let’s keep things running smoothly.”
There have been hints that this could help with a slew of woes – from inflammation to sleep issues.
Long story short, when you drop some CBD into your routine, you’re giving props to your inner biological symphony conductor to help you maintain equilibrium.
3. CBD Can Act Like Your Brain’s Personal Bodyguard
CBD can act like your brain’s own personal bodyguard against inflammation damage.
Here’s the scoop: deep within your gray matter, there are these things called CB2 receptors which are part of the ECS we talked about earlier. CBD gives these receptors some love – and by doing so, amps up the anti-inflammatory action in immune cells that are chilling in your brain.
Think of it as CBD telling your brain’s security detail to stay alert—especially when inflammation tries to crash the party and cause chaos (a.k.a. brain cell damage).
By keeping those pesky inflammations at bay, we’re talking less wear and tear on your neurons—like rust-proofing for your mind!
4. CBD Could Stop the Brain Mechanisms Associated with Epilepsy Seizures
Lastly, if you have epilepsy, CBD could be beneficial – but make sure you consult your doctor before trying it.
CBD appears to lower the degree of excitation of brain cells that play a role in seizures. CBD can stop the brain mechanisms that impact epilepsy seizures by enhancing the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter.
So, it could help people with epilepsy to manage their conditions better.