Can CBD Help people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Do you know anyone suffering from OCD, or are you suffering from OCD? Here is what to find out about OCD and CBD; what is obsessive-compulsive disorder, what are the sign and symptoms of OCD, does cannabidiol help with OCD, and which type of cannabidiol works best for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD is the fourth most common mental disorder. OCD is characterized by a strong obsession towards a certain behavior. Research has shown that females are more likely to have it than males. Although, OCD does not have a known root cause, sensations of anxiety and dread can worsenthe condition. Dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder can be difficult and typically requires a combination of talk therapy and medication. However, in recent years, people have begun investigating alternative methods to treat the symptoms without experiencing the negative consequences of prescription medication. CBD is among the most novel alternatives explored for OCD. In the current article, we explore how CBD can be useful for treating the OCD symptoms.

What is OCD?

OCD is a mental condition that causes obsessive ideas resulting in the repeatedtendency to perform a specific behaviour. Hosseini et.al. (2021) stated that OCD is characterized by the cycle: obsessive thoughts lead to anxiety, which leads to compulsions to perform the behaviour. For example, intrusive thoughts, such as "what if the door isn't locked when I leave the house?" can be exceptionally bothersome for OCD patients; an anxious thought triggers compulsive a behaviour, which manifest in repeatedly returning to the house to ensure the door is locked.
What Are the Symptoms of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are the two core symptoms of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder (OCSD). Stein etal. (2020)stated that obsessive thoughtsvary from person to person. There are several distinct categories of behavior for OCD patients; some examples of irrational fears include anxiety about contracting a disease or being exposed to germs, concern about causing injury to another person, an inability to make decisions, a need to have things arranged in a specific way, an obsession with particular symbols and their potential positive or negative connotations, and a worry about losing track of significant dates and times.
Compulsive actions are coping behavior people adopt to deal with the anxiety they feel as a result of their obsessive thoughts. When a person is trying to reduce their anxiety levels in the short term, they will frequently engage in these actions over and over again; repetitive hand washing, compulsive counting, and continual checks to see if things have been completed.

Who is particularly Vulnerable to Develop OCD?

Although we do not comprehensively understand what causes OCD, people with first-degree relatives withOCD are at an increased risk of developing the condition. In addition, there areinnate factors that contribute to this condition. In addition, the risk of developing the OCD is higher in individuals with a history of sexual abuse or trauma in their formative years.

Does CBD Help with OCD?

CBD is a potential treatment for the symptoms of OCD. The symptoms of the obsessive-compulsive disorder have an impact on the limbic region of the brain, which is responsible for regulating your feelings and the way you process them. In addition, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia and epilepsy can impact the limbic region. These problems are result from the rapid breakdown of a naturally occurring antidepressant called anandamide. These insufficiencies can be caused by imbalances of endocannabinoid system. Anand, et al, (2021), stated that is the hormone regulates mood, fear, happiness, and stress.
CBD has been shown to interact with the ECS. Rachdaoui, & Sarkar, (2017), stated that the endocrine system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis, often known as internal balance, in the body by controlling the activity of other system organs. This interaction boosts the fabrication signaling of anandamide while at the same time decelerating its breakdown.If more anandamide flow in the bloodstream, the ECS might restore homeostasis without being hindered by cannabinoid deficits.
Which Type of Cannabidiol Works Best for Obsessive-compulsive Disorder?
You can purchase cannabidiol as oils, capsules, pills, gummies, vapes, and topicals. CBD oil is the most frequent form of this compound. Users can put the oil under their tongue and keeps it there for one minute before swallowing it. This technique will absorb the cannabidiol directly into the capillaries through the mouth's network of minuscule blood vessels. The effects of the product should be visible within 15–30 minutes after intake, and they should last for up to 6 hours in the body.
Capsules and gummies are oral products taken through the digestive system. The cannabidiol is released moderately into the capillaries, although the effects last for a more extended period than CBD oil. Capsules and gummies are more convenient for persons who travel frequently or favor receiving a consistent amount of cannabidiol with each serving.
Vaping CBD is another method you can use to treat OCD. Cannabidiol vape pens include cannabidiol E-liquid, a mixture of cannabidiol oil and thinning agents such as vegetable glycerin (VG), medium-chain triglyceride, or propylene glycol oil. CBD oil is the primary component of CBD E-liquid. Since the cannabinoid is taken through the lungs, vaporized cannabidiol has the highest bioavailability of any mode of consumption. It means it extracts more CBD from your product than any other consumption technique. CBD vapes offer the quickest onset of effects, typically occurring between 5 and 10 minutes after inhalation and lasting in the body for 3 and 4 hours. Which way you decide depends on you and your lifestyle.

Conclusion

OCD is a problematic mental health state that can be challenging to diagnose and treat effectively. Even though cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective for OCD, some people may be reluctant to try it because of the social stigma often associated with mental illness. CBD is the newest and most promising molecule for treating OCD and its related symptoms. It has been demonstrated that CBD can affect several facets of your mental health, including feelings of fear, compulsion, panic, and anxiety. Because anxiety is a primary symptom of OCD, you can effectively reduce it with CBD oil without experiencing the adverse effects of pharmacological treatments. Cannabidiol has a quality safety profile and is well tolerated by human beings. Learn more about can cbd help you stay focused?

References

Anand, U., Pacchetti, B., Anand, P., &Sodergren, M. H. (2021). Cannabis-based medicines and pain: a review of potential synergistic and entourage effects. Pain Management, 11(4), 395-403.
Hosseini, S. V., Sobhani, Z., & Al-Ganbar, M. H. (2021). Management of Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder before Bariatric Surgery with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy During COVID-19. Obesity Surgery, 31(9), 4213-4215.
Rachdaoui, N., & Sarkar, D. K. (2017). Pathophysiology of the effects of alcohol abuse on the endocrine system. Alcohol research: current reviews, 38(2), 255.
Stein, D. J., Szatmari, P., Gaebel, W., Berk, M., Vieta, E., Maj, M., ... & Reed, G. M. (2020). Mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders in the ICD-11: an international perspective on key changes and controversies. BMC medicine, 18(1), 1-24.