DOES CBD HELP WITH OCD?
With Only 1 Teaspoon of This Honey People Have Been Reporting Positive Results
By Beezy Beez Honey
October 22, 2002 - 4 Minute Read
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychological condition that causes repetitive behavior and intrusive thoughts. It’s thought to affect about 2 to 3 percent of the world’s population.
The standard treatment for OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication. Currently, the only medications FDA-approved to treat OCD are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs).
About one-third of people don’t experience a significant reduction in symptoms after undergoing these treatments. SRIs usually require about 6 weeks to have a clinically significant effect.
Many people anecdotally claim that cannabidiol (CBD) products help relieve their OCD symptoms, and researchers are continuing to examine CBD’s potential to treat OCD. Although research is still in the early stages, some studies have found promising results.
In this article, we take a look at the latest research about CBD’s potential to help treat OCD. We also cover potential side effects and examine some specific products you may find useful.
CAN CBD HELP EASE SYMPTOMS OF OCD?
Currently, CBD’s ability to ease symptoms of OCD is largely theoretical and anecdotal. That’s because there’s a very limited amount of research examining the effectiveness of CBD for people with OCD.
A handful of case reports describe people with OCD who experienced improved symptoms after being treated with CBD or other cannabinoids. But more large-scale clinical trials are needed to assess CBD’s effectiveness and safety.
In a 2020 study, researchers examined the effects of medical cannabis on a group of 87 people with OCD. The researchers found that patients reported a:
60 percent reduction in compulsions
49 percent reduction in intrusive thoughts
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52 percent reduction in anxiety
Cannabis with higher doses of CBD led to a larger reduction in compulsive behavior.
However, in another small 2020 study with only 14 participants, researchers compared the effects of cannabis containing varying concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD to a placebo. They found that smoking cannabis containing primarily CBD or primarily THC had little acute impact on OCD symptoms.
How Is CBD Thought To Help with OCD?
CBD is one of the more than 80 biologically active compounds found in the cannabis plant. THC is the primary psychoactive compound that makes you “high.” CBD is non-psychoactive but has a number of effects on the body including relieving pain and potentially reducing anxiety and depression.
The cause of OCD is thought to be multifactorial, but there’s a growing amount of evidence that the body’s endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating anxiety, fear, and repetitive behaviors.
Your endocannabinoid system is a pathway of receptors in your body that play a role in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, and other processes. When CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system, it can cause changes to these processes. However, researchers are still not sure exactly how CBD interacts with this system.
Best Form of CBD for OCD?
CBD comes in many forms including oils, gummies, and in rare cases even with natural and raw honey. There’s no evidence that any form is more effective than the others. It’s likely that the amount of CBD per serving is more important than the form.
Even though CBD may be beneficial alone, some research suggests that taking CBD along with THC and other chemicals found in cannabis called terpenes may enhance its benefits. This phenomenon is often referred to as “the entourage effect.”
Best Form of CBD for OCD?
From what we hear CBD infused raw honey is quite delicious. However, because CBD isn’t FDA-approved to treat OCD, there’s no standard serving size.
Some studies found strong evidence that 50 to 100 milligrams of CBD taken orally reduces anxiety symptoms. It’s plausible that a stronger serving size may be effective for treating OCD, but more research is needed to confirm this idea.
It’s best to start with a small serving size of CBD (about 25 to 50 milligrams) and work up over time when you learn how your body responds to it. Some people choose to start with a dose of about 40+ milligrams per day.
CBD Honey Serving Size and Use for Sleep
There’s no one-size-fits-all serving size for CBD Honey, and individuals may present different reactions to different amounts of CBD.
The studies investigating the sedating properties of CBD have tested serving size between 25–300 mg. However, most of the time, the serving size included 1 teaspoon of Full Spectrum CBD Honey.
A common serving size of CBD in adults is 25–30 mg. With serious sleep problems, your optimal serving size may range anywhere from 40–160 mg. The efficacy of your serving size depends on the underlying cause of your sleep deprivation. The optimal serving size will be different for pain, anxiety, and depression.
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