CBD (short for cannabinoid) is the non-psychoactive compound extracted from the hemp plant and is massively rising in popularity. CBD can be found everywhere from your local supermarket to your favourite online wellness brand. It’s very important to note that this compound isn’t the same as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
While CBD and THC originate from the same plant species, THC produces high feelings, which CBD does not! Rather, it interacts with the ECS (endocannabinoid system) This biological structure consists of three parts: enzymes, endocannabinoids and receptors. It impacts several of our bodily functions, including sleep, mood and memory.
When you inhale one of our CBD products, whether that’s a candle, diffuser or essential oil the CBD interacts with your body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors to produce therapeutic effects, which is why many people are turning to CBD products as a remedy for various mental health issues.
CBD for anxiety
We all experience anxiety and it is a perfectly natural response to certain situations. However, for some people anxiety can negatively impact how they function day-to-day from social interactions and relationships with people, to sleep and eating habits, anxiety can cause a range of physical and mental symptoms including fatigue, lack of concentration, and muscle tension.
Recent studies have found using CBD products can help to alleviate anxiety symptoms, especially for those experiencing social anxiety. Research revealed that “pretreatment with CBD significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment and discomfort in their speech performance.” This study was carried out on individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD), with half of participants receiving CBD and the other, a placebo — those receiving the placebo reported higher anxiety, discomfort and alert levels.
CBD for depression
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders around, affecting millions of people. Alternative treatments to prescribed medication are on the rise, with lots of sufferers turning to CBD for its anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects. One promising study found that using CBD products regularly “decreased anxiety-like behaviour, and normalised 5-HT activity.” Although CBD doesn’t boost serotonin, its interaction is positive, while also providing anti-stress effects, which can help to reduce depression symptoms related to stress.
CBD for difficult sleepers
Over 60% of people struggle to get a restful nights sleep, if you’re finding it hard to switch off at night you’re not alone. A lack of sleep can impact both our minds and bodies and can be a symptom of anxiety and depression. One of the benefits of adding CBD to your daily routine is creating a calming effect with one study suggesting that using CBD products before bed can help calm your mind and create a sedating effect.
Many of our customers use the Bliss CBD candle a few hours before bed to create the perfect calming atmosphere to ensure the best quality nights sleep.
Is CBD safe to use for mental health issues?
CBD is completely safe to use for mental health purposes and our unique products mean that you don’t have to ingest the CBD so there is no risk of interaction with other medication that you may be taking.