Known as the fourth common mental disorder in the United State, Obsessive-compulsive disorder has to do with having disturbing obsessive thoughts.
It causes anxiety resulting in compulsive behaviours to perform a certain task over and over again. These compulsive behaviors may be used by the affected individual to reduce anxiety experienced from obsessive thoughts, but this may reduce anxiety level temporarily.
Obsessive thoughts in affected persons may vary as well as compulsive behaviors. Some obsessive thoughts may include fear of germs, harmful thoughts toward yourself or others, having things organized in a particular order and so on. Also, compulsive behaviours include checking on things frequently, washing of hands frequently, repeating words or phrases, counting things over and over. Most times people with OCD may also have other mental conditions such as depression and body dysmorphic disorder (a person believes that a part of his body is deformed).
Treating OCD is often not easy. This is because it requires both therapy and prescription medication. Many do not respond to the conventional medication present hence, people with this disorder are considering other alternative treatments including Cannabidiol. But does cannabidiol have any positive effect when used for the disorder? Here, we will discuss the possibility of this being true.
CAN CANNABIDIOL BE USED FOR OCD?
Animals and humans studies have shown that Endocannabinoid system (ECS) found in the body is essential for the regulation of anxiety, fear, and repetitive behaviors and can be connected to OCD. Based on studies, CBD can interact with this system causing an anti-depressive and anxiolytic (reduce anxiety) effect. Thus, cannabidiol may play an important role in OCD and other ECS associated disorder.
In a study on marble-burying in mice, it was proven that the administration of cannabidiol even in low doses can reduce the burying behavior in mice. This burying behavior can be compared to obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Furthermore, in combination with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), one of the available conventional medications used to treat OCD, cannabidiol can intensify the anti-compulsive effect of these antidepressants.
CAN OCD PATIENT BENEFIT FROM USING CBD?
Some reported that using cannabidiol products helps with anxiety, depression, and stress which are conditions commonly associated with OCD. Unfortunately, there are no existing human studies that prove that using cannabidiol will benefit those with OCD. Nevertheless, there are studies when it comes to other anxiety-related mental conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which have shown that using cannabidiol can help decrease anxiety. Since a constant occurrence in OCD is anxiety and cannabidiol is effective in reducing anxiety, it may be a useful additional treatment for those suffering from the disorder.
CONCLUSION
Anxiety is one of the central symptoms of OCD. Research has supported the use of cannabidiol for reducing anxiety, fear, panic, and compulsion. Anxiety-reducing therapies using cannabidiol can be of good use to improve some symptoms of OCD hence, cannabidiol can most likely help those with OCD. However, if you consider using cannabidiol as an alternative medication, consult your doctor first and make sure that the cannabidiol product you are to obtain it from a trusted and reliable source.