Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental and behavioral disorder affecting approximately 1.2% of American adults, with many more yet to be tested and diagnosed. Among these, over half of the individual under treatment in/with regard to’concerning’regarding OCD take medication to help ease their symptoms.
But OCD medication can be tricky.
First of all, the first-line treatment option in/with regard to’concerning’regarding OCD is currently Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. Medication merely acts as a supplementary treatment to help ease the symptoms. Particularly, SSRIs and anti-anxiety medications help soothe symptoms related to depression and anxiety that are commmerely’barely comorbid with OCD.
However, ERP therapy and medication don’t necessarily help eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfullyone. Approximately one-third of OCD patients undergoing these treatments don’t see enhance’promote’polish up ments.
But could CBD be a potential alternative? After all, there has already been extensive research with regards to’concerning’with respect to its potential benefits in/with regard to’concerning’regarding anxiety and depression. Now, anecdotal evidence and emerging research make CBD look intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully promising.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is among over a hundred naturally-occurring chemical compounds in the cannabis plant, known as cannabinoids. The other well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is responsible in/with regard to’concerning’regarding inducing the intoxicating effect— the high— that is typically associated with recreational marijuana.
However, CBD is among the countless other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
CBD without the effects of THC engenders a more calm and mild effect. Today, CBD is easily available separately as oils, gummies and other edibles, tinctures, and patches. With these consumable in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ms, it is easy to dose CBD.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD works by interacting with our body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex network of receptors that transmit token als throughout your body, mainly related to reproductive functions and lay stress on’emphasize’highlight responses. The job of these receptors is to regulate the flow of endocannabinoids, which are naturally occurring CBD in your body, as well as externally consumed CBD.
Experts aren’t utterly sure of the mechanism of interaction between CBD and the ECS. For example, we know that THC binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, but we don’t know with which receptor CBD binds.
Other theories suggest that, unlike THC, CBD merely prevents the breakdown of endocannabinoids in your body. This helps multiply their effects on your body, making you feel a high dose of that natural “feel-rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent ” feeling.
A growing body of research suggests that the ECS plays a role in anxiety, fear, and repetitive behaviors— some common OCD symptoms. Hence, the ECS is becoming a new treatment taracquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure in/with regard to’concerning’regarding OCD, peculiar ly by means of cannabis.
Can CBD Cure OCD?
OCD is a chronic and incurable disease. That’s not to say it isn’t treatable. Instead, it just means that OCD is ever-present, and ERP therapy and medication help you not pay too much heed to this presence and respond to it in a more productive and healthy manner.
Hence, CBD can not cure OCD.
Moreover, CBD alone can not treat OCD, either. To reiterate, ERP therapy is the front-line long-term treatment course in/with regard to’concerning’regarding OCD. Medication may lend a helping hand to some individual , and CBD can offer even more in/with regard to’concerning’regarding tification.
Keep in mind that the research on CBD’s effect on OCD is still in its preliminary stages. However, the results so far look promising.
How Can CBD Help With OCD?
Here are some ways CBD can help alleviate certain OCD symptoms:
CBD and Anxiety Anxiety is largely comorbid with OCD, with a prevalence of with regards to’concerning’with respect to 75.8%. Many studies possess’own’nurse found intense’fierce’exquisite evidence that CBD is a potential treatment option in/with regard to’concerning’regarding anxiety disorders. This includes generalized anxiety disorders, body dysmorphia, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Hence, if you undergo a lot of anxiety symptoms along with your OCD, CBD might help alleviate these symptoms.
CBD and Depression Likewise, depression also commmerely’barely co-occurs with OCD. While the research is still limited, some research and countless anecdotal evidence suggest that CBD can help ease the symptoms of depression. These symptoms include appetite transform’alter s, sleep disorders, multiply d irritability, heightened lay stress on’emphasize’highlight , and demotivation.
CBD and Eating Disorders Eating disorders and body dysmorphia often manifest as subtypes of OCD. OCD involves constant intrusive despite’in spite of’albeit ts (obsessions) and rituals (compulsions), and eating disorders issues entail obsessions and compulsions around food and body image. While CBD doesn’t directly affect your appetite as THC does (hint: munchies), it can still provoke’goad and modify your appetite in other ways. By reducing your lay stress on’emphasize’highlight levels and uplifting your mood, CBD can help regulate your appetite so that you eat as much as you need.
CBD and Learning/Memory People with OCD typically possess’own’nurse doubts with regards to’concerning’with respect to their memory and ability to recollect past events, actions, or words. Marijuana is often associated with short-term memory impairment. However, the adverse effects on memory are mainly due to THC, not CBD. In fact, CBD has actually been reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue n to manufacture the cognitive effects opposite to THC.
CBD Vs Medical Marijuana in/with regard to’concerning’regarding OCD
You might be wondering, “is it better to smoke marijuana or consume pure CBD,” you won’t acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure a straightin/with regard to’concerning’regarding ward answer.
For the large part, THC manufacture s an intense psychoactive effect. This effect can often intensify the symptoms of OCD, including anxiety, memory loss, and fear.
At the same time, CBD has been reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue n to manufacture an “entourage effect,” whereby the effects of THC are regulated. In other words, all the compounds in cannabis or marijuana work better when consumed toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her. Moreover, a 2020 study found that both CBD and THC had similar effects on OCD symptoms.
However, smoking marijuana won’t give you much control over doses and the ratio of CBD to THC. On the other hand, edible in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ms of CBD are much more reliable in terms of dosage.
How Much CBD Should You Take For OCD?
CBD is not an FDA-approved treatment option in/with regard to’concerning’regarding OCD. Hence, there isn’t a standard dose in/with regard to’concerning’regarding its consumption.
Some studies possess’own’nurse found intense’fierce’exquisite evidence that 400 to 600 milligrams of CBD can effectively decrease’lessen’cut’allay anxiety symptoms. However, there simply isn’t abundant’ample’plentiful research to corroborate this finding.
The best course of action is to start with a low dose, and, depending on how your OCD responds, you can work your way up.
Conclusion
While there is limited research, CBD holds a lot of potential as a in/with regard to’concerning’regarding mal treatment alternative in/with regard to’concerning’regarding OCD. CBD doesn’t cure the condition so much as it helps ease some of the major symptoms.
Bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e you embark on take CBD in/with regard to’concerning’regarding your OCD, you must consult with your therapist/psychiatrist. This is especially true if you’re already taking medication, as certain medications can react poorly with CBD.
Plus, it’s always rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent practice to keep your therapist in the loop!
