Pride Month: Why the LGBTQ+ Community Are Big Fans of CBD
Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community
June is recognised as world pride month and pride marches are kicking off around the world this weekend. The colorful events, marches, and concerts are held in order to celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and to recognise the struggles the communities face.
So, what do the LGBTQ+ community think of CBD? As it turns out, CBD has become quite popular amongst this group and is being used not only as a natural alternative to prescribed narcotics but also to support general health and wellbeing. Although there has been a lot of positive changes and an increase in acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals many still suffer from anxiety, depression, addiction, and even insomnia. With these in mind CBD can do a thing or two to help.
How CBD May Help the Struggles
Whilst it is safe to say that CBD does not discriminate and can help almost everyone, it may have a variety of benefits that could be particularly helpful for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and/or transgender. Further research needs to be done into all of these areas but the signs are good that in the long run people may see a positive impact from CBD.
Depression
LGBT individuals are three times more likely to experience both mild and major episodes of depression. Additionally, LGBTQ+ youths are four times more likely to engage in self harm or suicide attempts. The reason these numbers are so high is due to the discrimination and violence that the LGBTQ+ community face daily. Unfortunately, CBD cannot help eliminate anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and violence but studies have indicated it may help with depression. By reacting with our endocannabinoid system CBD may be able give a helping hand to those suffering.
Anxiety and Stress
In addition to depression the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to suffer from general anxiety and anxiety disorders. This can be down to the stress of coming out to family, friends, loved ones, or even the threat of rejection, violence, and discrimination that can follow. Similar to mitigating the symptoms of depression CBD may also relieve stress, anxiety or act as a general mood booster.
Physical Health
Not only can CBD help with mental health issues but it can also improve your physical health. It has been shown to keep our hearts healthy and puts users less at risk of coronary heart disease and type two diabetes. Studies also show that CBD may even help you up your fitness game by giving you more energy and helping to maintain muscle.
Substance Abuse
Unsurprisingly the LGBTQ+ population is disproportionally affected by addiction and substance abuse. When seeking help or treatment programmes LGBTQ+ individuals have reported an unhelpful and cold reception. Whilst everyone journey to recovery is different, CBD can act as a natural alternative to opioids, replacing the habit. When consumed, CBD as mentioned before, reacts with our endocannabinoid system and this can reduce cravings by affecting the reconsolidation memory process.
HIV/Aids
Would you believe that that there would be no medical marijuana in America if it weren’t for gay activists in the 1980’s? At the start of the AID’s epidemic a drug named azidothymidine (AZT) was release but at a cost of around $8000 it was far too expensive to most AID’s sufferers. When word went around that marijuana could help abate a lot of the symptoms of AID’s people starting to use it instead of ATZ. So just like medical marijuana, CBD itself cannot cure or treat HIV however it may be able to relieve some of the negative symptoms associated with the virus. The natural substance is able to increase appetite, decrease neuropathic pain, and help with insomnia. And although HIV/AIDS can affect anyone regardless of gender, sex, or sexual orientation, the LGBTQ+ population are especially at risk.
