Why is CBD so Popular Among Young Adults?

CBD is seemingly everywhere these days. As CBD’s popularity continues to grow, its acceptance among all age groups grows as well. CBD popularity among young adults is growing at a much quicker rate than in other age groups. About 40% of young adults aged 18-29 in the United States use CBD. The next age demographic that uses CBD the most is 30-44-year-olds at 32%.

But why is CBD so much more popular for younger adults than any other age group? Below are a few explanations, and an explanation of what CBD is and how it helps our body.

What is CBD?

An abbreviation for cannabidiol, CBD is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, a billion-dollar industry has sprung up around the manufacture, sale, and consumption of CBD. Although Americans have only recently been able to enjoy the benefits of CBD legally, humans have taken full advantage of the cannabis plant for thousands of years. The cannabis plant has over 100 compounds known as cannabinoids which humans can use. The most popular, THC, is well-known for its psychoactive properties. The second most popular is CBD. This extract can be refined and perfected in many ways for humans to enjoy. Today, we use CBD topicals, creams, oil, edibles, and pills to effortlessly use CBD and enjoy all the benefits it provides.

Because CBD has become such a successful industry, many companies have rushed to cash in on its popularity. This has unfortunately resulted in many low-quality or counterfeit products that simply don’t deliver. To anyone shopping for CBD: research brands carefully, buy locally, and consult with your dispensary staff about brands to try. Stay away from gas station end caps and checkout lines. With CBD, as with many other consumer products, you get what you pay for. Choosing a cheap brand will only disappoint you. 

For busy, tired, stressed-out young people, CBD can be a wonderful tool for dealing with depression, anxiety, sleep issues, and other mental and physical stresses of everyday life.

Mental health

Mood disorders have increased substantially among young adults. The covid pandemic, social media, economic hardships, and student loans could all be considered driving factors for this increase. With added mental health problems comes a variety of other issues for young adults. These may include suicide-related issues, mood disorders, and loss of sleep. People struggling with these issues can have a hard time functioning in their day-to-day lives. Their jobs, relationships, and overall health and wellness may begin to suffer dramatically.

Anxiety disorders

Many young adults deal with some form of anxiety, and why shouldn’t they? A lot of big life changes happen during these years: relationship commitments, launching a career, finishing school, having kids, etc. Add in political and economic uncertainties, high housing costs, inflation, and it’s no surprise people aged 18-30 are extra stressed. Although anxiety is a normal human emotion, many people today find themselves in a near-constant state of worry.

Aside from turning off the news or putting the smartphone away for a moment, CBD is also a great stress-reducer. Although official research on this topic is still limited, there is growing evidence that CBD can reduce anxiety.

By interacting with receptors in the human brain that regulate anxiety-induced behaviors, CBD helps improve and balance serotonin production. Other studies show that CBD is an effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, SAD, and other anxiety disorders.

Sleep disorders

Insomnia is another common mental health ailment plaguing young adults in the 21st century. The covid pandemic is believed to have exacerbated this issue. Anxiety disorders such as the ones mentioned above can also lead to insomnia. Increased screen time is believed to be a major reason for the rise in insomnia among young people.

The human sleep-wake cycle, taking mental cues from the amount of light and dark during the day, can become disrupted by heavy screen time. In low light settings, our body produces more melatonin, inducing relaxation and a desire to rest. By exposing our eyes to screens for hours on end, especially at night, we are directly reducing melatonin levels. Younger people may be more sensitive to the effects of blue light emitted from screens because their healthier eyes let more light in. For busy students, young professionals, and young parents, a lack of sleep wreaks havoc on daily life. Not to mention our mental and physical health.

Cannabinoids within CBD attach to brain receptors and our central nervous system throughout the body. This is a network of receptors known as the endocannabinoid system or ECS. By interacting with these receptors, CBD will help the body produce more melatonin. Additionally, a properly functioning ECS may help decrease overall levels of anxiety and pain. By using quality CBD regularly, it is possible to achieve greater amounts of deep, restorative sleep.

Is CBD right for you?

The short answer is, probably yes. Consult with your doctor before using CBD, especially if you are already taking prescription medications for any of the health issues explained above. CBD could interfere with your medication negatively, and be potentially dangerous to your health if that is the case.

In general, however, CBD is extremely safe to use for most people. You will not have to worry about “overdosing” on it, or suddenly needing to go to the hospital after using CBD. It is important to stay mindful about how much you are using though. Pay close attention to your dosage and take time researching what the right amount of CBD for you is. It will take time and patience, but hang in there and you will eventually discover the right dosage for your body.

If you are suffering from anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, CBD is likely a good tool for you. Researchers are optimistic about the future of CBD, and as the body of proven medical evidence grows, so too does its popularity and acceptance among young adults, and the general population.