A lot of people have turned to CBD to help with brain-related problems. Most of them claimed to have positive effects. Is this really the case? In this article, we’ll discuss how CBD affects your brain and if CBD does improve brain function.

Does CBD Improve Brain Function? 

CBD does play a role in improving brain function as studies suggest it induces significant changes in brain activity during resting and doing cognitive tasks. Neurotransmitters such as glutamate and serotonin control the brain’s function and mood. CBD increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the body that also leads to increase in brain activity. 

CBD affects neurotransmitters which also appears to relieve depression. In a 2019 study, CBD was found to improve mood similarly fast with other medications. The results also showed the effects were long-lasting. This in turn, helps improve brain function.

CBD does not only affect the brain’s function, it also affects your mood and other things such as your ability to learn and retain memory. So far, studies have shown positive results of the effects of CBD to the brain. 

CBD and Its Effect on the Brain

Your brain contains protein receptors that interact and respond to endocannabinoids. When you take CBD, the cannabinoids from it bind to the protein receptors. The affected receptors vary on a lot of factors which include:

• Genetic make-up
• Drug-taking history
• Placebo effect (your expectations)

Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural mechanism of your body to protect itself. However, an overly active inflammatory response can be harmful. In fact, neuroinflammation is common in a lot of neurological conditions. 

Inflammation has been linked to health problems which include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Memory loss
• Stroke
• Epilepsy

Early studies have found that CBD slows down your body’s overactive inflammatory response. One study even showed reduced neuroinflammation after a stroke. However, this was only tested on mice. CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain and may help alleviate symptoms of a lot of neurological conditions. 

Improves Healthy Brain Cells

When you age, it is normal that you encounter difficulties with memory and learning. Most people experience cognitive decline at a minimal or slow rate. However, some can have a rapid rate. 

Around 50 million people worldwide suffer from dementia and it is expected to triple by the year 2050. Hence, it is important to take care of your brain health while still in your early years. 

Age-related cognitive decline can be affected by factors such as genetics and lifestyle habits. The decrease in neuroplasticity and neurogenesis also plays a part in an aging brain. 

Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis

Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to change and reorganize. It is the process of which all learning and memory go through. It is an important brain function that gradually declines with age. 

Neurogenesis, on the other hand, is your brain’s ability to birth new brain cells. CBD helps regulate and improve these functions. A study found out that CBD promotes neuroplasticity and functional recovery.  

Protects the Brain From Oxidative Damage

Oxidative damage from free radicals may cause your brain to decline rapidly. Hence, it is important  that you protect yourself from it. Free radicals are an unavoidable consequence of living. When we eat, breath, and sleep, we produce free radicals. 

Excessive stress, pollution, and poor diet, and other unhealthy practices can lead to an increased production of free radicals. Thankfully, antioxidants are a compound that help stop free radical damage. 

CBD contains antioxidant properties that help stop free radical damage.  In fact, CBD is found to have comparable neuroprotective antioxidant capacity with vitamins C and E. 

Increase Neurotransmitter Levels

Neurotransmitters are important chemical messengers that your brain cells use to communicate. They relay information throughout your whole body. In fact, neurotransmitters are used by the brain to tell the heart to beat, lungs to breath, and other important bodily functions. 

Neurotransmitters can also affect your mood, sleep, and focus. CBD helps increase the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and glutamate. These neurotransmitters are responsible for mood and memory. 

This is why people who take CBD are generally always calm and in a good mood. 

Acts as an Anticonvulsant

The most helpful effect of CBD on brain function is its role in epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological condition in which a person experiences frequent seizures. In one study, CBD has been found to reduce seizures effectively. 

Researchers have yet to discover how CBD helps with reducing seizures. Most have attributed it to how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system. Still, this is a great breakthrough for people suffering from epilepsy. 

CBD Coffee and Brain Health

CBD infused coffee in healthy doses can have lots of benefits for your brain. Small doses of CBD can make you alert and combined with caffeine improves your neurotransmitters efficiency so the body won’t feel tired. 

CBD also reduces anxiety levels by making you feel relaxed. Add the aroma of coffee to that and you will feel comfortable and relax while drinking your cup of CBD infused coffee. 

CBD can also copy the effects of serotonin affecting your mood and caffeine increasing your serotonin and dopamine levels make you feel happy and relaxed. 

Related Questions

How Long Does CBD Affect the Brain?

It depends on your body, how much you take, and the type of CBD you take. On average, the active effects of CBD can last from 2 to 6 hours. 

Does CBD Damage the Brain?

There is no scientific research yet that indicates CBD damages the brain significantly. CBD is known to alter brain activity and connectivity patterns during resting state. The effects have been mostly therapeutic. 

How Quickly Does CBD Affect Anxiety?

Orally administered CBD like oils, edibles, or capsules can work within 30 minutes to 2 hours. People usually take oral CBD to relieve anxiety. 

Conclusion 

While there is no specific study that points out CBD directly improves brain function, other researches have shown positive effects on brain activity with CBD. CBD has a lot of benefits for your brain health and you may want to consult your doctor if you plan on taking one.