How to manage anxiety and how CBD can help?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of several dozen cannabinoids found in cannabis. It is a non-psychoactive compound that can help treat a wide variety of ailments, including anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are the most significant mental illness, affecting an estimated whopping 25% of the developed world's population globally. In the following article, you will learn how CBD can be used to combat anxiety.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most researched cannabinoids from hemp. Another well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol(THC). Along with CBD and THC, cannabis contains more than 500 other chemical compounds.
Cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, bind to special cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
THC produces the familiar feeling of high that people associate with cannabis use.CBD, however, does not produce this effect. Instead, it offers a number of potential health benefits. Among other things, it appears that CBD may be an effective aid in combating many types of anxiety disorders.
Recent research suggests that CBD has powerful pharmacological effects. Many experts already know that CBD has beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. It works by blocking the enzymes that cause inflammation in the body.
A 2020 systematic review in the journal CNS Drugs reported findings that treatment using CBD reduces the number of seizures in people suffering from Dravet syndrome, a drug-resistant seizure disorder. The continued legalization of medical cannabis around the world has prompted many scientists to begin studies of the various therapeutic uses of cannabis and CBD.
One of the main questions circulating among health professionals is whether CBD can alleviate anxiety disorders. According to an article in the journal Dialogues of Clinical Neuroscience, anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders. It is estimated that up to a quarter of the population in developed countries suffers from various forms of anxiety disorders.
What the research says
According to the authors of a 2015 review, CBD interacts with the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, and other receptors in the brain that regulate feelings of fear as well as anxiety-induced behavior.</p
The authors of the review found preclinical and clinical evidence that identified CBD as an effective treatment for many types of anxiety disorders, including:
- generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- panic disorder (PD)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- social anxiety disorder (SAD)
In a more recent study from 2020, researchers assessed the effects of CBD in 397 adults living in New Zealand. Study participants were given CBD prescribed by their doctors for a variety of conditions, including non-cancer pain, cancer-related symptoms, neurological and psychological problems.
Participants in all groups experienced an improvement in their overall quality of life after 3 weeks of treatment using CBD. Those who received CBD for anxiety or depression reportedly experienced improvements in their ability to perform daily activities, reduced pain and symptoms of anxiety or depression.
70% of study participants reported some level of satisfaction with their treatment using CBD, ranging from good to excellent. Only 9.9% of participants experienced adverse side effects such as depression and vivid dreams. An even smaller proportion of participants (0.8%) reported worsening symptoms.
In a retrospective study, researchers evaluated the effects of CBD treatment in 72 adults with anxiety or sleep problems.</p
Most study participants received one 25-milligram capsule of CBD once a day. A few participants received 50/75 mg per day. One participant with a history of trauma and schizoaffective disorder received up to 175 mg per day. After the first two months of CBD treatment, 78.1-79.2% of participants experienced improvement in their anxiety symptoms. However, 15.3-19.5% of participants experienced a worsening of symptoms after CBD treatment.
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What the resarch says about CBD
The authors of a 2020 paper reviewed eight studies looking at the role of CBD in treating various anxiety disorders. They found evidence supporting the use of CBD as an effective monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
However, studies have shown significant differences for individual doses of CBD, which ranged from 6-400 mg per dose. These differences highlighted the need for further high-quality, large-scale clinical trials to help establish standardized guidelines for dosing and clinical use of CBD therapy.
How to use CBD
As mentioned, scientists and health experts have not yet established standardized dosing recommendations for CBD. In a 2019 study conducted on 57 adult men, researchers concluded that 300-600 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms. The dose appropriate to relieve anxiety depends on the CBD product itself and how it is administered.
Types of CBD products include:
- CBD oil
- sublingual spray (administered under the tongue)
- capsule
- substance
- vaporizing oil or cannabis flowers
The type of CBD product determines how quickly the cannabinoid takes effect.
The effects of an orally administered CBD, such as oils, edibles, or capsules, kick in within 30 minutes to 2 hours. Smoking or vaping CBD oil or cannabis flowers leads to virtually immediate effects.
People can use orally administered CBD products to relieve anxiety throughout the day. It may help to take these products in the morning with meals.
Smoking or vaping CBD oil can bring instant relaxation and help people during particularly stressful events, such as public speaking in front of a large group of people.
Risks and side effects
Authors of a 2019 review confirmed that people can CBD well tolerated even at doses up to 1500 mg/day. Data on the long-term safety of CBD are still very modest. Adverse effects associated with CBD include:
- sleepiness
- reduced appetite
- diarrhea
- weight changes
Because CBD products are not regulated by official bodies, people should use their own judgment when buying them. Only buy products from reputable manufacturers and distributors.
Conclusion
A growing body of research suggests that CBD may help relieve anxiety, the most common mental health disorder. Dosages can vary widely among product types and manufacturers. People who are currently taking prescription medications or dietary supplements should consult a doctor before taking CBD.
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