Mood Disorders: The Benefits of CBD

Mood is a state of mind dominated by a positive and pleasant emotion (joy, amusement, love, etc.), or by a negative and painful emotion (anger, sadness, fear, etc.). Generally, we manage to control our emotions and we feel capable of managing them on a daily basis, but this is not the case for everyone.

An individual suffering from a mood disorder tends to experience negative emotions more intensely and for a longer duration than others. They have difficulty controlling their emotions, which, in addition to impacting their behavior, can harm their mental and physical health.

 

The main forms of mood disorders

Mood disorders come in many forms such as:

• Depression : This is a common mental disorder that significantly disrupts daily life. Depression is characterized by mood disturbances (sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt, low self-esteem, etc.) and leads to a pessimistic view of the world. It lasts several weeks and has negative consequences on quality of life (loss of sleep, appetite disorders, loss of intellectual performance, isolation, etc.). Depression must be treated so that it does not become complicated or chronic.

• Bipolar Disorder : Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric illness characterized by repetitive mood disorders. In fact, mood evolves according to two phases which occur alternately: so-called "manic" or "hypomanic" episodes (elevated mood and psychomotor agitation) as well as depressive episodes with intervals of remission.

• Dysthymia : This is a mood disorder that takes the form of milder but chronic depression. The symptoms experienced are less severe but continually present, and have lasted for at least two years.

Symptoms characteristic of mood disorders

The most common physical symptoms are a lack of energy or great restlessness, sleep disturbances, a decrease or increase in appetite, headaches, intestinal problems, body pain and tension, or even neglected personal hygiene.

Among the most common psychological symptoms are depressed mood or deep distress, excessive self-esteem or guilt, concentration problems, learning difficulties, loss of interest in activities (professional, social and family), and in the most severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide.

Mood disorders have a negative impact on daily life. In some cases, these emotional changes can make it difficult for an individual to work, make decisions, maintain healthy relationships, or even eat, sleep, or get out of bed in the morning.

Causes of Mood Disorders

Aside from genetic factors and family history which can be risk factors in mood disorder, the main causes are:

• Stress/anxiety, whatever the causes (divorce, emotional separation, death of a loved one, loss of a job, moving, health problem, etc.);
• Consumption of alcohol, tobacco or drugs;
• Lack of sleep;
• A lack of self-confidence;
• A hormonal disturbance;
• An imbalance of certain neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin in the brain)
• The occurrence of a disease (for example hyperthyroidism);
• Or finally, taking certain medications (corticosteroids, treatment for Parkinson's disease, interferon , anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, etc.).

 

Conventional treatments for mood disorders

Mood disorders require medical monitoring, so it is strongly recommended to consult a general practitioner or a psychiatrist who will prescribe appropriate treatment to alleviate or eliminate them.

The classic treatments for mood disorders are psychotherapy or medication, or a combination of therapy and medication.

The earlier the diagnosis is made at the first symptoms, the greater the chances of recovery.

  

CBD, a natural product to relieve mood disorders?

 

 

What is CBD (cannabidiol)?

CBD (or cannabidiol) is a molecule that belongs to the cannabinoid family. It is found primarily in the flowers of the hemp plant, also known as cannabis.

Unlike the plant's most well-known active ingredient, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not cause psychotropic effects and is not addictive.

CBD is therefore not a narcotic and is completely legal in France. It has proven to be very useful for consumers who use it to soothe pain and inflammation, relieve stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and for many other symptoms.

Being natural, CBD has no side effects and does not pose any danger to health.

Role of CBD in Mood Disorders

As discussed earlier, mood disorders can be caused by neurochemical irregularities in specific areas of the brain, most commonly in the limbic system (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala).

This area of ​​the brain is responsible for regulating emotional states such as stress, anxiety and depression.

Within this limbic system, endocannabinoids and CB1 and CB2 receptors have been found in abundance. Several studies* have claimed that the endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in maintaining mental health and emotional well-being, and acts as a central regulator of moods and emotions.

In the event of a deficiency in the endocannabinoid system, certain bodily and neurological functions could therefore become unbalanced.

*https://www.medecinesciences.org/en/articles/medsci/full_html/2004/01/medsci2004201p45/medsci2004201p45.html

https://www.norml.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2004-SYSTEME-ENDOCANNABINOIDE.pdf

According to a study conducted by the American startup Radicle Science, CBD consumption stimulates this endocannabinoid system and the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. Cannabidiol plays a key regulatory role in maintaining emotional health at the chemical level. It helps restore and rebuild the appropriate cell-to-cell interactions that exist in the endogenous cannabinoid/receptor network.

In addition, thanks to its analgesic and anxiolytic properties, CBD can reduce stress and anxiety* and thus promote relaxation.

By reconnecting CB1 and CB2 receptors, cannabidiol is thought to stimulate the production of endocannabinoids, which naturally improves the circulation of anandamide (an endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter) while limiting its degradation. In the human body, anandamide plays a role in pain perception, as well as anxiety, stress, and depression.

*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21307846/

CBD would therefore be a new avenue for relieving the many manifestations of mood disorders (depression, manic episodes, bipolar symptoms, etc.). Numerous studies are underway to confirm its effectiveness.

Taking CBD

CBD can be consumed, depending on personal preference, in the form of oil, infusions, cosmetic products, food products, capsules, capsules or even e-liquids (for electronic cigarettes).

The most common form is CBD oil , which is best consumed sublingually because its action is very rapid (5 to 20 minutes).

Regarding the choice of dosage, it depends on the tolerance to CBD as well as the desired needs of each individual.

To fully benefit from the effects of CBD, it is commonly recommended to consume 0.5 mg of CBD per kilo. For example, the ideal dosage for a man who weighs 80 kilos is 40 mg. This should be divided into three doses (morning, noon, and evening), or approximately 13 mg per dose. This dosage will vary greatly from one person to another and remains only an average.

This dose is recommended to improve mood, limit stress and anxiety disorders, but also to relieve inflammation and pain as well as promote sleep .

  

Délicure CBD products

Délicure offers a wide range of CBD products: gummies, lozenges, and oils. These different products are designed in a French laboratory with high-quality CBD and do not contain any traces of THC:

• CBD Gummies : These are delicious, vitamin-packed soft candies that allow you to enjoy the benefits of CBD while savoring a moment of pleasure. Each gummy contains 10mg of CBD, which is very convenient for precisely measuring the amount of CBD to consume. 

• CBD gummies : These come in the form of hard candies that melt under the tongue. These sweets are available in four flavors: sugar-free apple, sugar-free mint, sugar-free blackcurrant mint, and honey. Their format is ideal for keeping them on hand and taking them everywhere with you. As with CBD gummies, each lozenge contains 10mg of CBD.

• CBD oils : These CBD oils, which have various uses (stress, sleep, and pain), are based on 100% pure and natural avocado oil and organic sweet almond oil. Délicure has chosen to replace refined coconut oil (MCT oil), which is used in most traditional CBD oils, to guarantee a natural, high-quality product.

Just a few drops of oil are enough to feel the effects of CBD instantly.

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