Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that offers plenty of therapeutic potential without any adverse side effects. Cbd oil can be useful for anxiety disorders and everyday stress.
The growing popularity of CBD for anxiety has led to a rising number of people who are trying it. However, not everyone knows how CBD works and what its benefits are.
In this article, we will take a closer look at CBD for anxiety and help you find out whether this could be an alternative treatment for you.
Understanding anxiety disorders
Psychological explanations attribute anxiety to factors like family history, emotional reactions to certain events or social situations.
Biological explanations look at the physical mechanisms that cause anxiety such as hormones and neurotransmitters in our brain.
Anxiety symptoms
- Excessive worry or fear
- Restlessness, trouble being still, and hyperactivity
- Irritability
- Sleep problems
- High blood pressure
- Panic attacks
- Chronic stress
Anxiety disorders can have significant effects on people’s day-to-day lives. They can be a debilitating condition that prevents them from living their life the way they want.
Fortunately, treating anxiety with CBD has become an alternative treatment option that has proven to be safe and effective.
According to a 2007 study, cannabidiol CBD acts as an antidepressant when activating serotonergic neurons through the medial prefrontal cortex.
How CBD works?
Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant which has been shown to have significant therapeutic potential for mental health and well-being.
CBD oil works by interacting with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) – an internal messaging network that helps to regulate our nervous system, mood, and mental well-being. CBD stimulates the production of serotonin – a neurotransmitter that is linked to feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
Serotonin is also important for the regulation of sleep, appetite, and mood. Low levels of serotonin are associated with anxiety disorders and depression.
CBD oil can help balance serotonin levels in the body, which makes it useful for both anxiety-related mental health.
Cannabidiol CBD interacts with both CB₁ (the type associated with appetite) and CB₂. These are cannabinoid receptors in our endocannabinoid system which has been shown to help with anxiety and depression.
CBD oil for anxiety
CBD oil can also be taken orally with both food and drink – but you should avoid taking it too close to bedtime or before a workout in order to protect your sleep patterns.
There’s a great variety of hemp-derived CBD products for you to choose from, including oils, tinctures, edibles, and more.
You may need up to 20–30 minutes for CBD to take effect, so don’t forget about it.
CBD oil may also help with the symptoms of:
– Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
– Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
– Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
– Panic disorder (PD)
– Chronic depression
– Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
CBD for social anxiety
Cannabidiol CBD can help with this condition because it has been shown to stimulate the release of serotonin, which can help you feel more at ease.
A 2018 study proved the effectiveness of CBD in male subjects before giving a simulated speech.
The findings of this study are significant because the male subjects who received CBD before undergoing a simulated public speaking test were significantly less anxious than those in the placebo group. This suggests that taking 300 mg 90 minutes beforehand is enough to reduce anxiety induced when doing something as stressful as giving a speech.
What The Experts Say
Academic research institutions have researched the effects of CBD oil on anxiety and found that it is a safe treatment option.
The majority of CBD research has been on animal models, however, most studies have shown potential benefits in the treatment of anxiety.
Researchers recently studied 397 adults to evaluate the effects of CBD in New Zealand. The participants received medical prescriptions for various ailments including non-cancer pain and mental health symptoms.
After 3 weeks of CBD treatment, the quality of life for all groups improved. These improvements include their ability to perform daily functions and reduce pain and anxiety or depression symptoms in individuals who were only suffering from these conditions before starting on CBD therapy.
These clinical trials concluded that CBD provides anxiolytic effects that interact with the central nervous system, being a potential treatment for treating anxiety.
One individual with a record of trauma and schizoaffective disorder received up to 175 mg of CBD daily. After two months the patient showed harm reduction or elimination in symptoms related to anxiety.
Although the further investigation and more clinical data need to be collected, it is safe to say that CBD oil can be an alternative treatment for anxiety-related disorders.
How much CBD oil should I take?
This study was carried in 57 adults who presented anxiety and PTSD symptoms and taking up to 300 mg of CBD treatment showed immediate results for most patients.
What are the benefits?
Apart from relieving your symptoms. Cannabidiol CBD also offers other benefits:
– CBD can help with sleep problems.
– It is an anti-inflammatory. It’s great in case you have chronic pain as well.
– It can improve skin conditions like acne or psoriasis.
– It is a mood booster, which means that you will feel more relaxed and will help you regulate fear.
– CBD oil has been linked to decreased rates of depression – making it one more reason why this could be your alternative.
Safety and Side Effects
CBD does not contain THC, which is a psychoactive cannabinoid that can cause an individual to feel high.
In case you consume too much, there may be some adverse reactions like:
- dry mouth
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- weight changes
The FDA (Us Food and Drug Administration) does not regulate CBD oil or any CBD products for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. So we recommend using your best judgment if you decide to treat anxiety with CBD.
If you are taking other medications, it is best to consult your doctor before using CBD oil for anxiety as the interaction between these substances may have adverse effects.
Other treatments for anxiety disorders
– Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This treatment focuses in the way a person thinks and reacts to certain situations.
– Transcranial magnetic stimulation: This treatment plan restores the neurons in the amygdala and the brain areas involved in anxiety disorders.
– Medical cannabis: The use of medical cannabis to treat anxiety is controversial, but some studies have shown that it could be an effective treatment for managing anxiety.
– Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These medicines are usually recommended for the treatment of depression, but they have the risk of addiction and worsening symptoms.
– Benzodiazepines: These prescription medications are usually used for short-term treatment of anxiety disorders, but they have the potential to create addiction as well.
More research needs to be done to determine CBD products as a safe alternative to treat a severe case of anxiety disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD legal?
CBD oil for anxiety is legal in all 50 states without the need for a prescription or doctors. However, CBD is not FDA-approved.
Does CBD really work for anxiety?
CBD oil can help with generalized anxiety and related conditions as social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive syndrome, etc.
In case you are suffering from acute stress, it’s best to consult your doctor before using CBD oil as a way to cope with your symptoms.
How much CBD should I take for the treatment of anxiety
It will depend on the frequency and severity of your anxiety symptoms. Although there is no systemic administration and most CBD oils are nonprescription CBD products, research suggests taking higher doses if you suffer from sleep problems or acute anxiety.
Does CBD work for depression?
Since most findings have been obtained from relevant animal studies, more research is needed to understand how CBD products could affect mental health.
Can CBD help with PTSD?
Bottomline:
CBD is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in various ways. CBD can help with generalized anxiety and related conditions as social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive syndrome, etc. In case you are suffering from acute stress, it’s best to consult your doctor before using CBD oil as a way to cope with your symptoms.
According to preclinical and clinical evidence, the recommended dosage is about 300 to 600 mg per day, but it will depend on the frequency and severity of your anxiety symptoms.