Researchers revealed that the various cannabinoids included in the cannabis plant have intricate and distinct interactions with our bodies. THC and CBD are the most well-known and widely used cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. THC is psychoactive, whereas CBD is not. CBD is a supercharged chemical since it has a plethora of benefits similar to THC, but without the “high.”

CBD’s Mental Health Benefits

CBD does not cause you to overthink, and you retain entire control. CBD can be beneficial in a variety of ways for your mind, including the following:

  • Promotes a more restful night’s sleep
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Equilibrates mood
  • Stress alleviation
  • Enhances attention and clarity
  • Promotes a sense of tranquillity

Our brain suffers damage over time as a result of the choices we make. Throughout our lives, however, as old paths deteriorate, new ones are developed. The abundance of these new pathways is determined by your brain’s health. However, fortunately for us, our brains can regenerate, form new connections, and develop new neurons that aid in the regeneration of our brains, allowing us to grow our intellect. CBD is an exogenous component that can aid in this process, accelerate the timeline of growth, and enhance potential growth, all while combating difficulties that may impair brain development.

CBD’s Health Benefits

While the benefits of CBD for the mind are astounding, many are unaware of what it may do for the body. Several of the health benefits that CBD can bring for your body include the following:

  • Assists in reducing discomfort
  • Contributes to a healthy weight
  • Sustain a healthy immune system
  • Tension and stiffness are alleviated
  • Assists in the rehabilitation process
  • Contributes to joint health
  • Reduces edema
  • Eliminates nausea
  • Contributes to maintaining optimal cardiovascular health
  • Skin is nourished
  • Enhances the health of the hair and skin
  • Contributes to the improvement of skin tone
  • Encourages regeneration

These benefits, when paired with the psychological benefits, result in some quite successful results. Additionally, CBD is a natural antioxidant and has numerous vitamins and anti-bacterial qualities, all of which add to its numerous benefits.

How it Operates

Our bodies are constructed with an endocannabinoid-based biological mechanism called the endocannabinoid system. Endocannabinoids are lipid-based neurotransmitters found throughout the body that have the ability to interact with cannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout our bodies and function in a variety of ways to provide our bodies with the benefits described above.

CBD acts throughout our bodies, eliciting a variety of actions that work in concert to support proper overall function. CBD is a cannabinoid, which explains why it interacts with our bodies so nicely. Our endocannabinoid system detects CBD and is capable of interacting with it in a manner similar to how our body interacts with endogenous cannabinoids. When we consume CBD, our endocannabinoid system sends messages to all of the receptor-containing areas of our body.

CB1 Receptors are found in the brain and central nervous system and are the receptors that are activated when CBD is taken. CBD has an indirect effect on these receptors, which regulate motor activity, core processes, discomfort perception, stress response, and memory. As you can see, all of these are critical components of maintaining a healthy mind. The CB2 receptors are the other class of receptors found in the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are distributed throughout the body, with the majority being found in the peripheral organs, immunological system, muscular system, and cardiovascular system.

Something to bear in mind is that you may experience no effect at all when you first begin taking CBD. The majority, if not all, of the effects are quite subtle and develop gradually. A healthy, happy individual may not see anything, yet they will be benefiting inadvertently. The sum total of all of these modest benefits contributes to the maintenance and even strengthening of our immune system. By alleviating stress and calming anxious thoughts, we enable our bodies to focus on the most critical functions necessary for our health. Reduced needless responses and undesirable conditions might result in an overall sense of well-being, preparing your body to enhance its defenses and focus on combating the various threats to your health. If you’re new to CBD or don’t see any difference, increase the serving amount and give it some time.

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I believe that internet addiction can be just as detrimental to mental health as drug addiction. With the advent of Netflix, it’s nearly impossible to even come close to running out of full-length content to binge. By the time you finish one series, there are a number of new releases waiting to soak up your free time. Netflix is another escape from reality, just like many forms of drug abuse. According to The Hindu, a 26-year-old Indian man has recently looked to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru for help with his streaming struggles. The man, unemployed, would spend over 7 hours a day binge-watching shows on the popular streaming platform Netflix. He would use it oftentimes in an effort to ignore the internal turmoil he faced as those close to him continued urging him to find work. Even though this problem of Netflix in excess has existed for years now, it has only now began being recognized as a legitimate mental health concern.

Many of the problems that come from drug use/abuse center around how drugs can activate our brain’s reward system. Often, users will continue taking a drug even when it impairs their ability to tend to important responsibilities or participate in regular activities. Netflix is similar, if we imagine it as the drug in this metaphor, we have an unlimited supply. Do you know anyone who would rather binge Stranger Things than go to a social gathering with friends?

The DSM-V, or the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is the most well-recognized text on every facet of known mental-illness, including addiction. Almost 20 years of careful research separates it from the last edition, 1994’s DSM-IV.  The DSM-V lists 11 criteria for use in diagnosis of substance abuse disorders, and many behaviors of Netflix-binge-watchers can be observed as closely related to those of substance-abusers.

  1. [Watching] in greater amounts or for more time than you are supposed to (i.e. binge-watching).
  2. Wanting to cut down or stop using [Netflix] but not being able.
  3. Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use (i.e. sleeping in late or losing sleep due to late-night binges).
  4. Cravings and urges to [watch “just one more episode”].
  5. Not being able to accomplish what’s needed at work, home, or school because of [Netflix] use.
  6. Continuing to [over-watch shows and movies], even when it causes problems in relationships.
  7. Passing on significant social, occupational, or recreational activities due to [Netflix overuse].
  8. [Watching shows] again and again, even when it puts you in physical danger (i.e. sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, neglecting to exercise or go outside).
  9. Continuing to [binge-watching shows], even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that may have been onset or exacerbated by [symptoms of overindulgence].
  10. Requiring more in order to get the desired effect (use begins to be less rewarding over time, seeking other genres or more exciting content).
  11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (i.e. irritability), which can be relieved by [continuing to watch].

Clearly, the two addictions have a number of parallels. If you feel like Netflix is taking over your life or the life of someone you love, you may consider looking into getting some help from a certified life coach. They are trained to help you tackle life’s problems from a new angle.