Over the past five years, interest in CBD has skyrocketed. This snapshot from Google Trends shows how interest for “CBD oil” related terms has steadily grown from just a few searches in 2014 to a consistently searched trend in 2019.

Nowadays, you can find CBD oil in cookies, pet treats, and even beer. But what does CBD oil actually do? Read on to learn more about CBD oil and its mental health benefits.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is an oil extracted from the hemp plant. While the hemp plant is similar to marijuana, CBD oil doesn’t contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical that can cause a high.

Instead, CBD oil is natural, plant-based, and contains cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are also naturally made by the body; they’re released when we sleep, exercise, or experience physical contact.

CBD oil interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system. This system does things like regulating mood, sleep patterns, and appetite. When CBD oil stimulates the endocannabinoid system, it can trigger feelings of calm, encourage sleep, and promote digestion.

CBD oil is safe and legal in all 50 U.S. states. Because it doesn’t contain THC, CBD doesn’t have psychoactive effects on the brain.

Does CBD oil affect mental health?

CBD oil is known for helping relax the body, ease pain, and alleviate stress. This means that it can be a wonderful, natural remedy for mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

CBD oil can also:

• Ease insomnia
• Reduce social anxiety
• Help with drug addiction
• Ease the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Relieve autism systems
• Lower feelings of isolation
• Reduce chronic pain
• Reduce the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Ease the effects of childhood epilepsy

In fact, the strongest scientific evidence for CBD oil’s effects is for its impact on reducing seizures in children with epilepsy.

Of course, everything affects individuals differently. CBD oil isn’t a cure-all for any and every issue and it shouldn’t be treated as a substitute for treatments like prescription medication and talk therapy.

What kind of CBD oil should you take?

If you wish you to try CBD oil for mental health benefits, it’s best to consult your doctor or therapist.

While there are so many new CBD-infused products out there, they’re likely not as effective as specific dosages of CBD oil. Your doctor can help guide you in the direction of the best dosage for you.

Also, while CBD oil is safe, it can influence other prescription drugs you may be taking. Consult a doctor and disclose all prescription and non-prescription drugs you’re taking.

What now?

While further scientific research still needs to be done on the effects of CBD oil, many people have found it to be a helpful, natural, and simple way to manage the effects of anxiety and depression.

If you think CBD oil might be worth a try, talk to a medical professional.