If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, you know that it can be a difficult situation in a variety of ways. Society's perception of mental disorders is shrouded in misunderstanding. Hollywood horror movies commonly label their villains with disorders like schizophrenia, and it’s not uncommon for news media outlets to immediately call a suspect’s mental health into question in the event of a crime. The stigma surrounding mental illness is not only deeply ingrained in our society, but it is continually reinforced. This causes many people to believe that anyone living with a mental illness is dangerous and incapable of living a happy and fulfilling life.
There are certainly challenges that people with mental illnesses face that most people won’t encounter. With a team of supportive doctors, family members, and friends, mental health disorders don’t have to restrain the possibilities of living a long and prosperous life. There are plenty of treatment options that allow people to take control of their lives and live the way that they want to.
Let's look at schizophrenia, a complex mental disorder a wide variety of symptoms and degrees of severity. A diagnosis of schizophrenia is frequently accompanied by other mental disorders such as PTSD, depression, OCD, etc. Common symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Being unable to recognize what is real.
- Experiencing hallucinations.
- Hearing voices that aren’t really there.
- Experiencing delusions, or firmly believing in past or present circumstances that are completely false.
- Paranoia.
- Difficulty socializing.
- Difficulty expressing emotion.
- Impaired memory.
Types of treatment include prescribed medications, psychotherapy, and medical procedures. Since everyone is different, the effectiveness of these treatments will vary from person to person. Talking honestly with a healthcare professional will help you to find the best plan for your individual needs. One option that many people find intriguing due to its natural benefits is cannabis. As the acceptance of medical cannabis grows in the healthcare field, more studies are finding evidence of cannabis’ ability to assist in the treatment of mental health disorders.
How Does Cannabis Work in Your Brain?
Our bodies naturally have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) with receptors throughout the body and mind that respond to cannabinoids produced inside the body (endocannabinoids) as well as cannabinoids produced outside of the body, such as those found in cannabis. Cannabinoids interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are primarily located in the brain, while the CB2 receptors are mostly in the immune system. The endocannabinoid system can be largely responsible for balance and homeostasis throughout very important areas of our body and brain. This is why cannabis may help to alleviate so many different ailments.
Cannabis has many variations within its family. Hemp is a variety of cannabis plant that is legal in most states and does not cause a psychotropic effect. This is because hemp contains less than .3% THC. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the active ingredient in medical marijuana that does have a psychoactive effect, or makes the person consuming marijuana ‘high.’ What health benefits hemp lacks in THC, it makes up for CBD. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that has a wide array of possible benefits for physical and mental health. There is a variety of compounds found in the cannabis plant that all cause different effects. These include terpenes and other less prominent cannabinoids.
The CB1 receptors are located in the cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus, and cerebellum areas of the brain. The proper functioning of these areas is essential the control of muscle movement, memory, and emotion, among other things. Many people believe that cannabinoids, especially CBD, may be a way to improve health and functionality in these regions of the brain. CBD interacts directly with dopamine receptors, and schizophrenia is currently theorized to be caused due to a disorder in the functioning of the dopaminergic systems of the brain. CBD also interacts with the amygdala. The amygdala is the “anxiety control center” of the brain, responsible for mediating and controlling the flight or fight response. People experiencing schizophrenia-related paranoid often have amygdalas that are not functioning correctly. This most likely explains why some people using CBD daily have felt improvements in areas of their lives previously affected by anxiety, stress, depression, paranoia, tremors, insomnia, aggression, and much more. People are seeing that the potential benefits greatly outweigh the (minimal) risks.
So what is the best form of cannabis to manage symptoms of mental illness like schizophrenia?
Since schizophrenia is such a complex and intricate disorder, and since everyone has unique endocannabinoid systems, unfortunately, you won’t know for sure what strain or form of cannabis will work best for you until you try it for yourself. This means, similar to medication used for mental health, it may take trial and error to find a personal routine for the most effective way to use cannabis. Cannabis high in CBD, such as hemp, has shown to be a great way to slowly and safely introduce your body to cannabis, especially for those seeking ways to support mental health without feeling high. Cannabis high in THC, or medical marijuana, does have beneficial properties, but some people with or without mental disorders experience paranoia or anxiety from over-consumption. Many people with schizophrenia already have plenty of anxiety and paranoia so it may be more practical to consume cannabis with very low amounts of THC, or hemp. If you do choose to use medical marijuana high in THC, it may be wise to keep some high CBD infused products nearby. If you do experience an adverse reaction to THC, the use of CBD may counteract the negative effects.Our bodies release natural endocannabinoids through everyday activities such as exercise, but many experts believe it is possible to develop a cannabinoid deficiency. It is theorized that a cannabinoid deficiency could possibly cause a slew of physical and mental ailments. The endocannabinoid system was discovered in 1993, so scientist are still putting together the pieces of this intricate puzzle, but it could be possible that the endocannabinoid system and exogenous cannabinoid use is the key to predicting and relieving many disorders that scientist have not yet been able to determine a cause nor cure. We won’t know for sure until research expands and more scientific data is collected, but in the meantime, thousands of people have found great success in utilizing the cannabis plant to help alleviate what ails them.
Severe, deep-set mental or emotional distress, unfortunately, won’t dissipate as soon as the cannabinoids enter your body. It will take commitment, adjustments, and patience to see results. CBD products are not going to magically take away all your problems, but it can work wonders when used alongside other healthy lifestyle choices like exercise, diet, relaxing hobbies, and therapy.
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