CBD: Would it help increase my self-esteem? Know the pros and cons

Can’t you overcome the feeling that your life is not going well and that you also deserve to be like this? Sometimes it is normal not to feel confident in situations that are outside our comfort zone, or to question our abilities when we face circumstances that seem alien or beyond our control.

CBD should not be taken in any way as a response, a miracle remedy or as a way out for low self-esteem, these types of impressions and ideas can lead you to develop dependence on this substance, harmless in appearance. Remember: most addictions gain power in our minds, when we seek to escape from what is the main problem and hide behind an ephemeral feeling of well-being.

You can feel prior to an important presentation in your work or before confessing your feelings to a person. In this sense, the lack of confidence can be completely normal and it is likely to be a passing feeling.

However, when we talk about low self-esteem, we are referring to the condition that prevents many people from wanting to come back naturally in their work, in their studies or in their interpersonal relationships.

This condition can have a very negative impact on your mental health and your future and it may be more difficult to overcome than you think, which is why many people look for various solutions that can help you.

How does self-perception work in the individual?

Self-esteem is basically the perception, judgment or evaluation that people have of themselves. If you have a healthy self-esteem, you will feel optimistic about your abilities and have a more joyous approach to life in general. Whereas, if you have low self-esteem you will have a bad image of yourself that can affect various aspects of your life, from how you see yourself in the workplace or professional sphere to the way you carry your relationships.

This could become a real ailment, as a permanent lack of self-confidence often triggers such serious problems as depression and anxiety. Some of the measures that people with low self-esteem usually take to overcome this conflict vary according to the individual, however, the most popular are the following:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Neuro-Linguistic Programming
  • Physical exercise
  • Hypnosis
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However, a new “therapy” has gained notoriety in recent years: the use of CBD to increase self-confidence.

What is CBD or cannabidiol?

CBD or cannabidiol is a chemical compound derived from cannabis, which consists of various substances also called cannabinoids. CBD is one of them, as is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the most popular of all.

THC is found in high concentrations in marijuana, it is in fact the compound responsible for poisoning people. However, CBD is not the same as THC.

Unlike THC, CBD is derived from the hemp plant and does not cause drunkenness. According to the 2017 World Health Organization Report, pure CBD extracts are well tolerated by humans and animals. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that adults can safely take up to 1,500 mg of CBD daily in a month.

CBD is currently used as a remedy for anxiety and insomnia. The European Journal of Pain has shown with the help of an animal model that CBD could decrease inflammation due to arthritis if applied to the skin. Other research has shown that CBD inhibits severe inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Still, research on the benefits of CBD remains active.

It goes without saying that CBD is legal in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The UK Drug Abuse Act of 1971 does not include CBD among “controlled substances”. Furthermore, the European Union allows the cultivation of industrial hemp for the production of CBD. CBD balms, capsules, creams, oils, sprays, foods and beverages are sold legally throughout the European Union and the UK.

But can CBD really increase self-esteem?

Although research around CBD has indicated that it can be a beneficial compound to treat anxiety, arthritis and other forms of physical pain, it is not a magic pill or a panacea for a need as complex as transforming your perception of yourself.

For many people, their low self-esteem originates from deep trauma or may even be the result of different experiences from their childhood. So it is hard to believe that a compound alone can improve this problem.

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To increase your self-esteem, you must take a series of actions that can be uncomfortable and require a lot of commitment on your part such as: writing positive self-affirmations and internalizing them, questioning your inner critic, learning to see yourself with love, taking care of yourself, bravely face your deepest fears and even more.

For some people, CBD could be used to alleviate their social anxiety caused by their low self-esteem, helping them to relax in front of some specific situations. However, it will never be a definitive solution to what is considered a bigger problem.

What should I consider if I want to integrate CBD in the recovery of my self-esteem?

As we explained earlier, you should be aware that CBD is not a solution to low self-esteem or social phobia as a result of it, so it may not be what you need. Therefore, the first thing you should do if you are thinking of integrating this substance into your therapy is to check its adverse effects and drug interactions.

In this sense, clinical research has shown that CBD oil can trigger some side effects, the severity of which can vary from person to person.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Changes in appetite
  • Humor changes
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

CBD oil can also increase liver enzymes (a marker of liver inflammation). People with liver disease should use CBD oil with caution, or preferably consult a doctor who can regularly monitor their levels of liver enzymes in the blood.

Also, CBD oil should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. A 2018 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics warned women to avoid using cannabis-derived compounds during pregnancy, due to the potential risks to baby development. Although it is not clear how CBD influences, it has been shown that it can cross the placental barrier.

If you are considering using CBD oil to treat a health condition, be sure to speak to your doctor or therapist, who can ensure that this compound can work for you.

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Be aware that some CBD oils may contain traces of THC. As such, you should avoid driving or using heavy machinery when taking CBD oil, particularly when starting treatment or when using a new brand.

Possible drug interactions of CBD

CBD oil can interact with certain medications, including some drugs used to treat epilepsy. CBD inhibits an enzyme called cytochrome P450 (CYP450) that certain drugs use for metabolism. By interfering with CYP450, CBD can increase the toxicity or decrease the effectiveness of these medications.

Possible drug interactions include:

  • Arrhythmia medications such as quinidine.
  • Anticonvulsants such as Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)
  • Antifungal medications such as Nizoral (ketoconazole) and Vfend (voriconazole)
  • Antipsychotic drugs like Orap (pimozide)
  • Atypical antidepressants like Remeron (mirtazapine)
  • Sedatives of benzodiazepines such as Klonopin (clonazepam) and Halcion (triazolam)
  • Immunosuppressive drugs such as Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
  • Macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin and telithromycin.
  • Migraine medications such as Ergomar (ergotamine)
  • Opioid pain relievers such as Duragesic (fentanyl) and alfentanil.
  • Rifampin-based medicines used to treat tuberculosis.

Many of these interactions are mild and do not require an adjustment to treatment. Others may require a drug substitution or dose separation for several hours, so it is not advisable to experiment with this type of substance without first consulting a specialist.

To avoid interactions if you are taking any medication, always inform your doctor about any alternative therapy you want to try. Some people may find certain benefits in including herbs or compounds like CBD in their therapy, but should never do so without first informing their treating physician.

In conclusion, our recommendation will always be to face your problem of low self-esteem with the correct tools, that can give you real, lasting results and that can help you transform the perception that your psyche has of yourself and your place in the world.

The magic solutions simply do not work, any great internal change requires commitment, courage, permanence and objectivity. You can find the answer to your low self-esteem by delving into yourself, and with patience and perseverance, you will successfully overcome this problem.

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