Hemp has accompanied man since the dawn of time, from his birth until today, almost continuously. It has been used for the most disparate uses, mainly as a textile fibre but also to produce ropes, such as those used in the navy. Populations of the Mediterranean and the Orient knew and used it from the dawn of their history. The ropes and sails of Christopher Columbus’ caravels, for example, were made of hemp and the most beautiful tablecloths of the European courts. Nowadays, CBD, the non-psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant, is being used to treat a myriad of ailments. The good news is that it is now legal across Ireland, the UK and Europe and can be purchased through relevant CBD providers, such as Justbob.
The first “scientific” description
In one of the oldest texts of Chinese medicine, dating back to 2700 BC, the plant and its properties are mentioned and described. Chinese culture recognized hemp’s great potential for treating painful internal pathologies. At the same time, in the form of inhalation, it was used for the treatment of toothache, pustules or lacerations in the oral cavity.
The psychoactive property
Of course, hemp has always been used and known for its psychoactive properties. Already the ancient Assyrians and many populations of the Middle East used it by smoking it. In Europe, on the other hand, its use as a psychoactive substance is all in all relatively recent, probably since the cannabis sativa species was mainly cultivated here, while cannabis indica, richer in narcotic active ingredients, entered Europe very late, in the nineteenth century, perhaps thanks to Napoleon, interested in the property of this plant to relieve pain and its sedative effects.
Application of CBD to psychological disorders
We all experience anxiety close to particularly challenging events in which we feel pressured or stressed. Before an important exam, a sports competition, or a presentation requiring public speaking, we are attacked by an unpleasant feeling that accelerates our heartbeat and breathing. However, if prolonged over time and not motivated by precise external factors, this type of sensation can evolve into a real disorder, deteriorating the quality of our life. The phenomenon is so widespread that to find relief, more and more people are resorting to new tools, such as CBD, which is experiencing a real explosion in consumption. As we have already anticipated, stress and worries negatively affect our well-being. Many are turning to CBD to help with depression, anxiety, and addiction! It should first be mentioned that unlike THC, which people have suffered psychological dependency on, CBD does not have addictive qualities. In fact, it can be used to treat addiction. Let’s look at how CBD can help with certain mental disorders.
CBD for Phobias
Phobias are often irrational or disproportionate fears for a situation or an object that does not represent a real danger. Some of the more common phobias are agoraphobia (fear of crowded spaces), claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), and social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder (fear of embarrassing behaviour and being judged in social settings). As CBD has been found to relax its user, many people are turning to CBD products to help them feel relaxed in stressful situations, such as when taking a flight.
Issues of gambling addictions
Gambling addiction is not a new phenomenon, but it is only recently recognized as a form of addiction in the diagnostic manual for mental disorders. This addiction is a dangerous one and can affect people of any age. Gambling can occur online through video games or in casinos, and many people have lost their livelihoods and families through this addiction. It is not only the addicted person affected but those around them as well. So, how can CBD help with gambling addiction?
How CBD can help with gambling addiction
There seems to be some hope regarding CBD’s application to addiction to gambling. This is because CBD interacts with brain activity that regulates impulse control and our decision-making skills. Those who gamble obsessively are linked to poor health, both physical and mental. That means these individuals will likely suffer from sleep problems, have unhealthy eating habits, exhibit signs of hypertension and have poor decision-making skills. CBD, the non-psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, works well in this case as scientists believe it helps by regulating the processes such as neurological functioning. Thus, CBD can potentially improve and regulate functions such as sleep, mood, and appetite. In several pre-clinical research studies, it has been demonstrated that CBD has the potential to reduce drug-motivated behaviours, mitigate withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. This is promising findings and can be applied to gambling addiction.
Furthermore, as depression has been linked to playing a role in impulse control, which can cause someone to gamble, CBD can also help in this manner. There is much research that shows CBD can be used as an anti-depressant. Several other studies have demonstrated other positive effects of CBD, such as its antioxidant, antiemetic, and anti-inflammatory use.