Depression and anxiety usually go hand in hand which can be beneficial when looking for various treatment options. One of the ways to combat fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression is with CBD oil. The properties of CBD oil will not get you high and contain elements to ease various symptoms. Here’s the inside scoop about CBD oil for fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression.
Why CBD Oil?
There are various ways to treat fibromyalgia, and likewise for the conditions that usually accompany it such as depression and anxiety. There are medicinal options, but for me, natural remedies work best. My body rejects most medicine (even over-the-counter ones) but responds well to gentler options.
These options include the fibro diet, chiropractic care, and supplements. I have tried CBD oil, too, and found it works effectively for fibromyalgia symptoms, too. The most frequently asked questions about CBD oil include the following:
- How does CBD oil work?
- What properties does it have?
- Can it get me high?
- How do I know which CBD oil companies to trust?
Let me give some background information about CBD oil is and how it works.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol (CBD) and is found in cannabis. Cannabis is a popular treatment option due to its effective, natural healing properties. According to Leafly, cannabidiol is one of over 100 cannabinoid components found in the cannabis plant. It has the opposite effects of the more popular and well-known component, THC. CBD plays a major role in acting on the cannabinoid receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps the functioning of physiological processes such as pain sensation, mood, and others. (More about the ECS further down.)
Cannabidiol comes in various forms. Some of the ways include:
- Oil
- Tinctures
- Vaper
- Spray
- Topical products
- Cannabis plant
What are the side effects of CBD oil and can it get me high?
According to Medical Marijuana, Inc, cannabidiol, or CBD, is a component found in cannabis and occurs naturally in significant amounts. While extracting CBD oils from marijuana plants is illegal, extracting CBD oil from hemp plants is not. However, CBD oil is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Hemp plants are grown more for the CBD compound rather than the THC compound. Generally, marijuana plants are grown for the THC compound (the stuff that makes you high). This means that even the highest concentration CBD oil will not get you high.
Effects of CBD are:
- not psychoactive like THC (won’t give you that high)
- has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties
- Relieves nausea
- eases headaches and
- relaxes muscle tension.
Here’s a helpful article about How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your System?
CBD Oil for Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, and Depression
As stated earlier, CBD plays a major role in acting on the cannabinoid receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps the functioning of physiological processes such as pain sensation, mood, and others. This is important for fibromyalgia patients.
Those of us living with fibromyalgia are thought to have a deficiency or breakdown in the ECS causing it to function improperly. Because CBD acts so well on the receptors of the endocannabinoid system, it can increase the amount of naturally-produced cannabinoids and fill in those deficiencies. CBD can even interact with dopamine receptors which regulate behavior and cognition. Read more about it in Donna’s article What you need to know about CBD oil and fibromyalgia.
There are other reasons CBD is good for fibromyalgia and can help manage fibromyalgia symptoms. Check out Dr. Liptan’s article The Science of CBD for Fibromyalgia.
Anxiety and Depression
In regards to anxiety and depression, the following was found at Pharma Hemp:
“It is unknown completely how CBD impacts those who have anxiety and depression, but studies are just starting to emerge. General studies have indicated that CBD oil in some way impacts serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin is naturally occurring, though these natural chemicals sometimes can become lower due to physical and environmental factors. When this happens, it can wreak havoc with mental health. People with depression classically cause anxiety and depression, and therefore CBD oil theoretically should help.
Another way in which CBD oil can help is by causing restful sleep. One of the symptoms of anxiety and depression is insomnia. Unfortunately, having insomnia can exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. They work in a symbiotic relationship and strain the sufferer’s mental health, but often there is nothing that the sufferer can do about it other than change their medication intake. However, for insomnia, studies have shown that CBD oil can help us immensely. Therefore, anxiety and depression sufferers who use CBD oil can tackle two problems with one harmless solution.”
How to Choose a CBD Oil Company
With so many companies breaking into the CBD market, there’s hesitancy on which ones are safe to use. Like supplements, this is a market not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Because of the lack of regulation, harmful fillers are used to ‘stretch’ the oil as much as possible for profitable gains. I encourage you to use caution when selecting where to purchase your CBD oil.
Personally, I use Nature’s Ultra for CBD oil. Nature’s Ultra has the seed to seal quality meaning the company ensures the authentic source of the oil and has the highest testing in regards to quality and purity. There are very few companies with the same quality.
The process of extracting oil from the plant is an intricate process and extensive one. Because of it, CBD oil is not cheap when it is sold in its purest form. Be wary of companies selling CBD oil for relatively low prices because you will get what you pay for.