A first responder’s job is to respond and act in an emergency, and the term includes police officers, firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. It is believed the USA has more than one million firefighters, out of which approximately 75,000 are volunteers. Local police departments have around 556,000 full-time first employees, including 436,000 sworn personnel. However, they face several issues in their line of work like major depressive disorder, insomnia, and fatigue. Fortunately, CBD first responders can help them deal with various mental and physical issues and ensure they enjoy a full recovery. Here is all you need to know about CBD and how it can help first responders.
What is CBD?
The cannabis Sativa plant has two major species: hemp and marijuana. CBD, or cannabidiol, as it’s also called, is the second most active ingredient found in cannabis Sativa plants, the first being Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana, which contains minute amounts of THC and higher levels of cannabidiol. Inhalation, buccal, and oral methods are the three major routes of administration.
Ways it can help first responders.
CBD products, especially from TerraVita, have several benefits for first responders, including firefighters. The exact dosage depends on one individual to another and will have an overall effect on the results. But they will produce results nonetheless.
Sleep-Related Disorders
It is a fact that firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders are at a higher risk of various sleep disorders. The very nature of their job prevents them from maintaining a healthy schedule, which includes plenty of sleep. Insomnia, sleep apnea, shift sleep disorder, and restless leg syndrome is issues they face daily, and having to work overtime regularly completely derails their sleep cycle in the long run. Several research studies have conclusively demonstrated that cannabidiol lowers anxiety levels and promotes deep sleep. It also helps with REM sleep behaviour disorder or RBD symptoms and constant daytime sleepiness.
Reducing Chronic Pain
First responders are affected by chronic pain in their day-to-day lives, and it’s not difficult to know why. They have exceptionally high physical exertion levels and undergo significant mental strain in their work. Shootings, slips, falls, overexertion, and motor vehicle accidents are some of the leading causes of injuries and chronic pain amongst first responders in the long run. Police officers and firefighters have the highest work-related injury rates along with conditions like reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome or RSD. Studies have shown that CBD has numerous effects on the body’s peripheral nervous, immune, and central systems. It works alongside the endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and play the role of a pain reliever, and even prevent osteoarthritis and nerve damage.
Mental Health
Research has shown that about 30% of first responders have a variety of behavioural health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Frequent exposure to hazards like grief, pain, long working hours, and poor sleep are reasons behind the mental health disruption. For instance, emergency medical services personnel have insufficient time to recover after traumatic events, leading to significant stress levels. Taking CBD will help firefighters, medic personnel, and police fighters effectively deal with behavioural health conditions. According to research, it modifies the cerebral blood flow in those parts of the brain, including the hippocampus and hypothalamus, all of which are responsible for causing anxiety. Also, it decreases activity in the amygdala (a structure that plays a significant role in fear and anger).
CBD for first responders is beneficial both mentally and physically and enables them to cope with several disorders, including those described above. Regardless of whether you take them as chews, powder, or pills, when you click here, they will bring about a transformation in your body in a short time.