The hemp plant has been used in medicine for centuries and its impact on human health is undeniable. However, only a few people know that cannabis can be of great help in curing mental disorders: this is due to the disputes about the dosage, legality, and method of treatment suitable for improving psychiatric conditions.

As we know, the hemp plant contains over 80 compounds called "cannabinoids" that can influence human's organism differently: THC or tetrahydrocannabinol can cause psychoactive effect, while CBD, or cannabidiol, is completely safe and even useful for our health. In this short overview, we will concentrate on CBD oil capabilities of curing mental health issues, tell about the substance's legality, and give examples of the best CBD for sleep and mental wellness.

Political Opinions On CBD Use

Although the concept of CBD products is not new to the cannabis industry, there are still a lot of policymakers who resist admitting the good done by CBD. However, it should not stop you from asking for CBD treatment if you have certain mental or physical issues that can be treated with it. In this case, you need to take a look at the local laws regulating CBD usage in your state, and turn to your doctor for recommendations regarding its expediency for your health.

Is CBD Legal?

The second thing we want you to know before you start getting acquainted with the way CBD oil and other products interact with our bodies is its legality.

As you might have heard, the 2018 Farm Bill removed substances derived from the hemp plant from the Schedule I substances list. Thus, CBD oil has become legal on the federal level, which means that you should not be afraid to use it for personal needs. However, this Farm Bill only gave the green light to the prospective CBD use, and it has a lot to be regulated on a state level, e.g. the legality of particular CBD products, etc. At this point, the key thing you need to know is that CBD containing less than 0.3 THC is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Another milestone in CBD legalization was Epidiolex approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2018. The medicine was designed to cure epileptical seizures, and its successful study trials have shown Epidiolex efficiency in this mental issue treatment. However, things are not that easy with CBD products' approval by the FDA. The latter prohibits CBD producers to add Cannabidiol to food and drinks, regardless of the substance's origin (hemp or marijuana). At the same time, the FDA rules allow industrial hemp seed oil in food and beverages. Hence, do not forget to check local CBD laws and ingredients' tag on the CBD cigarettes or other products before purchase to make sure it is completely legit in your home state.

CBD for mental health

Now, let's take a look at the ways Cannabidiol influences mental disorders.

Sleep

Sleep is one of the crucial components of a human's well-being, along with proper nutrition, rest, and physical activity. Yet the national CDC surveys confirmed that one-third of young US adults do not get enough sleep every night. Such a situation is worrying since the lack of sleep leads to overeating, obesity, heart issues, and other health conditions decreasing the level of American citizens' lives.

Meanwhile, the study conducted in 2019 has shown that over 65% of participants who received 25 mg CBD daily for a month noticed an improvement in their sleep quality and duration. If you have any issues with your rest at night, do not hesitate to consult with your doctor on taking CBD for sleep.

Anxiety

As for anxiety disorders, they affect 19% of the US adult population every year. They include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic, and social anxiety disorders. As you can see, almost every fifth American has some anxiety issues that affect their quality of life. The good news is that a lot of studies on CBD treatment for anxiety were conducted in the last 6 years, and their results demonstrated Cannabidiol oil efficiency in treating them.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Today, over 6% of Americans are affected by PTSD. People with this mental issue develop feelings of re-experiencing painful events, nightmares, intrusive memories and thoughts, and the desire to avoid things and places that trigger traumatic flashbacks. 

Research on the CBD impact on PTSD continues, while The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2019 study demonstrated that the CBD dose addition to standard psychiatric treatment helps to decrease symptoms substantially. 

Depression

Every year, over 18% of US adults are affected by depression, which makes it the most popular serious mental problem for American society. The effective treatment consists of traditional medication taking and psychotherapy, while the people's interest in alternative ways of treatment rises.

Several studies demonstrated that the calming effect of CBD applies well to treating depression. As it combines with other CBD capabilities, e.g. acting on serotonin receptors, we start feeling more positive about life when we take CBD oil. In particular, the antidepressant effect of CBD was proven by the 2018 study done by Sales A.J., Crestani C.C., and others.

CBD Types and CBD Products

Now that you know the level of CBD efficacy for mental disorders, you need to find out the CBD substance types and concrete CBD products that you can purchase and try out. Today, Cannabidiol is available in the following forms:

• Oral. A variety of CBD items is available for oral use, from oil tinctures to sprays, and capsules;
• Edibles. You can buy almost anything you like with hemp seed oil: candies, gummies, water, coffee, etc.;
• Vaping. The CBD cigarettes and vape oils are there for you to try. You can choose various flavors as well: mint, strawberry, natural, and so on;
• Topicals. If you prefer to apply lotions and creams to your skin, this option is for you.

As for the most effective CBD products for anxiety, we advise you to start from basic CBD oil and continue with the food and beverages that you prefer. Remember to determine the right dose with your doctor to avoid allergy or overdose though.