An increasing number of people are turning to more natural methods of coping with grief. Instead of heavily medicating to dull the pain, they turn to healthier alternatives, such as natural calming supplements and yoga. Some even take CBD to help get them through this process. However, can CBD help grief?
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How grief affects your body
You can never prepare for the death of a loved one. When the time comes to say goodbye, the wave of pain is overwhelming, and nothing can staunch the flow of emotions that engulf you.
Mayo Clinic defines grief as: “A strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion for people, regardless of whether their sadness stems from the loss of a loved one or from a terminal diagnosis they or someone they love have received.
“They might find themselves feeling numb and removed from daily life, unable to carry on with regular duties while saddled with their sense of loss.”
Grief doesn't just take an emotional toll on you, but a mental and physical one too. Every day is a struggle, and sometimes you don't even want to get out of bed in the morning.
There are many effects of grief, such as:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Intense emotions
- Inflammation
- Weight loss from less appetite
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Bodily aches and pains
- Lowered immune system
Grief is very taxing on a person, and it never really goes away. However, it does get easier to live with, and there are many things you can try doing to weather the storm, including taking CBD.
Can CBD help grief?
While it may seem odd that there are people who turn to CBD when grieving, there is evidence that there may actually be something to it.
Studies of the potential benefits of CBD are on the rise, and already there has been promising evidence. The results of the studies show that CBD contains chemical compounds that interact with our brains and bodies in such a way that it can help:
- Reduce aches and pains
- Promote sleep
- Soothe inflammation
- Reduce anxiety
CBD does this by interacting with our endocannabinoid system, which is the system that regulates our appetite, pain, mood and more.
Let's take a look at how CBD can potentially help with the effects of grief.
Fatigue and insomnia
When grieving, it can sometimes be difficult for some people to fall asleep, and insomnia is a common symptom of grief. The intense emotions you feel drain you, but you can't get enough sleep, no matter how tired you get.
However, the opposite is true for others. Grief can make some people want to stay in bed all day, but they remain exhausted no matter how much sleep they get.
Evidence from studies done on the benefits of CBD shows that CBD can act as a sedative leading to restful sleep, without waking up tired the following day. This is a brilliant alternative to the heavy sleeping pills prescribed by doctors that may knock you out, but that leaves you groggy the next morning.
Physical pain
Grief doesn't just cause emotional and mental strife. It can also cause physical pain in parts of the body. The loss of a loved one can lead to a number of ailments, such as:
- Bodily aches
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Many studies show CBD has properties known to reduce inflammation and pain, and could help with pain caused by grief.
Loss of appetite
When overcome with grief, you may feel nauseous and have no desire to eat. This could lead to weight loss and a lower immune system, as you may not get all the nutrients your body needs. When grieving, your immune system is already low, so you can't afford to lose out on any nutrients.
It is widely believed that marijuana causes a big increase in appetite, known as the “munchies.” CBD, on the other hand, doesn't, but it does relieve nausea you may feel, allowing you to have an appetite and to eat.
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are stages of grief that need to be spoken about more often. People who experience loss may feel like their life is no longer in control and fear that other people in their life will also die, and may also start thinking about their own death in the future. Thoughts like these can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, even if the person doesn't usually suffer from it. However, there are ways to combat this.
While there is not enough evidence at this stage to make conclusive claims, many studies show that CBD works on the serotonin receptors in the brain, producing an anti-stress and antidepressant effect that can help calm and alleviate ailments such as anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.
Learn more about how does CBD help with anxiety
How to cope with grief
Grief is a part of life, and everyone will experience it. The key thing to remember is that you are still alive and need to look after yourself. While you may feel like you are stuck in a black hole of despair, better days are coming. Celebrate their life by looking after yours.
While CBD cannot make your grief go away, it can help with certain aspects of it, so give it a try to see if it works for you.
However, if your emotional and physical pain doesn't get better after six months, or you feel like you are just not coping, it may be time to see your doctor.
You may also like reading: CBD Oil for Depression
