If you’re considering CBD for anxiety, press pause on any apprehension and check this out. The effects of CBD on anxiety are one of the most fascinating areas of modern cannabis research.
According to the CDC, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the US. That’s nearly 20% of the total population. Anxiety disorders are super treatable, but only 36.9% of people who suffer from them receive treatment. As it becomes more available on supermarket shelves and prevalent in casual usage, more people are turning to CBD for anxiety, and for good reason.
Among over 540 chemical compounds in the Cannabis sativa plant, CBD is one of the most researched cannabinoids (besides THC). Take a deep breath and rest easy, knowing the scientific community has performed its due diligence so that you can check your cannabis paranoia at the door.
Anxiety is a completely normal response to stressful life events, such as moving, changing jobs, or having financial problems. Or, ya know, a pandemic swiftly sweeping the world and keeping all of us on edge for the last few years. When anxiety symptoms get bigger than the events that triggered them and begin impacting daily living, it could be time to try something new.
How Does CBD Work?
Cannabinoids like CBD and THC bind to special cannabinoid receptors in the brain. THC produces the high that people associate with weed. However, when CBD binds to receptors, it provides a sense of calm and relaxation and helps you sleep better.
CBD also has proven anti-inflammatory properties, according to many researchers and scientists. It works by blocking certain enzymes that trigger inflammation in the body. All of these things make CBD for anxiety an ideal option for many.
The most remarkable thing about CBD is that it acts as an adaptogen like Ashwagandha or ginseng. Although we need more research on the adaptogenic properties of CBD, scientists believe this cannabinoid helps your body adjust to biological, physical, or chemical stress. In theory, an adaptogen encourages your body’s stress-protection response, allowing it to return to a balanced state called “homeostasis,” and, as you know, there’s no place like homeostasis. (What, too cheesy?)
Researching CBD For Anxiety
There is certainly no shortage of treatment options in managing anxiety. Unfortunately, few of these treatments appear to be 100% effective over the long term. Likewise, many of them have undesirable side effects. CBD has no risk of abuse, and your chance of having any side effects (besides extreme serenity) is incredibly low. That’s why an increasing number of patients with anxiety disorders are being treated with CBD oil in clinical trials. The positive results of using CBD for anxiety give new hope to many struggling people. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for more research into CBD for anxiety.
Is CBD Good for Anything Else?
Our resident experts are glad you asked. CBD is beneficial in so many ways. You can give CBD oil to your cat (when life is less than purr-fect) or dog (when things get ruff). This little miracle cannabidiol is excellent for athletes and self-care, too. CBD interacts with specific brain receptors that regulate anxiety or fear-related behavior. Researchers found clinical evidence that CBD oils are effective for many types of anxiety disorders, including:
- General anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Social anxiety disorder
How about this nifty CBD benefit: Do you have a fear of public speaking? Most people do. If you’re in the majority, taking CBD for anxiety could be highly beneficial in public speaking situations. Dose up, speak up and get that raise, promotion, or A+. In another publication, Brazilian researchers conducted a large-scale study in which they used CBD as an anti-anxiety drug (called anxiolytics). After reviewing dozens of studies published worldwide in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, they found powerful evidence supporting CBD for many anxiety disorders. Several recent studies prove CBD can help people who have PTSD with nightmares and negative memories. In these studies, scientists used CBD both as a standalone PTSD treatment and as an addition to conventional therapies.
Does CBD Work for Everyone?
Thorough animal and human studies show that CBD reduces anxiety. Researchers suspect that the stress-reducing effects of CBD are related to activities in the limbic and paralimbic areas of the brain and thus have a positive impact on anxiety for most people. We don’t know if CBD is a good fit for you because we’re not doctors (we’re also very high). But an ever-increasing body of research shows it could help you relax. Don’t stop taking anti-anxiety medications without first talking to your doctor. Similar to grapefruit juice, CBD can actually slow down the breakdown of certain drugs by blocking liver enzymes, which could impact other medications, but this can also have the advantage of longer-lasting effects.
The Bottom Line on Using CBD for Anxiety
Tons of evidence suggests that CBD is an excellent way to find anxiety relief for most people and pets. There are no known side effects when taking CBD as a further positive benefit. However, there may be interactions with other drugs, which is why patients who already take medication regularly should discuss CBD use with their doctor.
