New Study: CBD Improves Emotional Wellbeing

April 14, 2023
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A new study finds that CBD improves emotional wellbeing for frontline workers

Are you feeling burned out? Do you find yourself wondering if CBD improves emotional wellbeing?

If so, you'll be happy to learn that a groundbreaking study found that frontline healthcare workers who supplemented their standard care with cannabidiol (CBD) therapy saw a significant reduction in symptoms of burnout, emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.

If you are one of the many people struggling with burnout, don’t despair. New research has found that CBD is a promising treatment to improve emotional wellbeing in times of stress. If you're curious to learn about this study and how CBD helps emotional burnout, then keep reading!

CBD can improve emotional wellbeing in times of stress

CBD has properties that may lessen the symptoms of anxiety disorders, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). New research has found that CBD appears to be able to reduce emotional exhaustion and burnout symptoms as well.

A study conducted at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School University Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, sought to answer the question "Does CBD have the ability to reduce emotional exhaustion and burnout symptoms in health care professionals working with patients with COVID-19?" After running a 28-day clinical trial on 120 COVID-19 pandemic frontline physicians, nurses, and physical therapists, the researchers found that participants who were administered 150 mg of CBD twice a day and who took part in standard care consisting of motivational how-to videos to conduct low-impact exercise, and weekly appointments with a psychiatrist offering psychological and spiritual support through conversation, reduced their emotional exhaustion and burnout.

To assess emotional wellbeing, the study's methodology included the use of:

  • The Brazilian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS) to measure emotional exhaustion
  • The Brazilian versions of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire to measure anxiety, depression, and PTSD
  • The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) PTSD Checklist to measure PTSD
  • The Clinical Global Impression scale to measure burnout
  • The daily Ecological Momentary Assessment to assess mood researchers
  • The collection of blood samples on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the study

The study found that taking 300mg of CBD daily and standard care resulted in:

  • Substantial reductions in emotional exhaustion after 14 days
  • Significant reduction in emotional exhaustion after 28 days
  • Decrease in burnout syndrome after 28 days
  • Significant decrease in anxiety after 28
  • Decrease in depression after 28 days

Five of the participants administered CBD therapy saw an increase in liver enzymes. These participants discontinued CBD therapy and returned their enzymes to normal levels. While five participants did not respond well to the CBD therapy, the study did find CBD to significantly improve the emotional wellbeing of COVID-19 pandemic frontline healthcare workers suffering from burnout for which there is currently no pharmacological treatment. 

How does CBD help with emotional burnout?

Emotional burnout, also referred to as emotional exhaustion, is a chronic condition of physical and emotional depletion caused by excessive work, personal responsibilities, and/or continuous stress. Work-related stress can manifest as burnout when one's work has consumed and overextended them emotionally. Emotional burnout has been linked to a higher risk of infections, which may be evidence of a weakened immune system.

In this study, the researchers noted that "burnout syndrome, depression, and stress-related disorders appear to be associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines." A cytokine is a signaling protein that helps the body's immune system function. A cytokine can either stimulate or slow down the body's immune response.

If you're wondering how CBD helps emotional burnout, it's because CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. CBD also interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. The ECS regulates functions such as sleep, appetite, pain, and immune system response. When the ECS is not functioning properly, it can lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and burnout.

CBD has been shown to help regulate the ECS by binding to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. This interaction helps to restore balance in the body and reduce the symptoms of conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress.

CBD has also been shown to have an impact on the reduction of cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress. High levels of cortisol can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. CBD has been shown to help reduce cortisol levels and promote a state of relaxation.

The Ribeirão Preto Medical School University Hospital study found that healthcare workers who were experiencing burnout who had CBD therapy plus standard care reduced symptoms of burnout and emotional exhaustion. The study also found suggestions that the cytokine Interleukin-10 (IL-1β) may be involved in burnout syndrome. However, participants in the study did not experience prevention of increased IL-1β levels. Researchers state that "additional clinical trials are necessary to investigate the role of inflammatory mediators in the beneficial effects of CBD on mental health.”

While the study found that CBD can improve emotional wellbeing in times of stress and be helpful for emotional burnout, it's important to note that CBD is not a cure-all. The healthcare professionals in the study paired CBD therapy with standard care. If you're experiencing symptoms of emotional burnout and considering CBD speak with a mental health professional about CBD therapy treatment options. 

Key takeaways on how CBD improves emotional wellbeing

Here are the main points to keep in mind when thinking about this new study and its implications.

  1. Emotional burnout is a chronic condition of physical and emotional depletion caused by excessive work, personal responsibilities, and/or continuous stress.
  2. CBD can improve emotional wellbeing in times of stress by reducing emotional exhaustion, burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression.
  3. 300 mg of CBD therapy daily paired with standard care may be able to help COVID-19 pandemic frontline healthcare workers lessen anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional exhaustion.
  4. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, though more research is needed to fully understand CBD's role in the prevention of the cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-1β).
  5. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body and alleviating stress.

If you're feeling burned out, consider adding CBD to your self-care routine, but it's important to note that more research is needed to understand the safety and efficacy of CBD as a treatment for emotional burnout. It's also important to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen. If you are looking for where to buy CBD near you, click that link!

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