What Do Scientific Studies Say About CBD for Anxiety?
Anxiety is a common problem that can significantly affect your quality of life. Many people turn to medications to help them cope, but there is growing evidence that CBD for anxiety is an effective and natural alternative.
Anxiety is an increasingly common issue affecting many people in the modern world. The current climate of disruption and uncertainty has worsened the situation, with a reported 25% increase in anxiety and depression since the start of the pandemic.
Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness, worry, or fear. It is a normal emotion that people feel when facing a challenging situation, such as a job interview, public speaking, or taking a test. However, for some people, anxiety can become so overwhelming that it interferes with their daily lives.
There are various types of anxiety disorders, each with specific symptoms. For example:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worry and tension unrelated to any specific event or situation.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) involves intense fear of social situations, such as parties or meeting new people.
- Specific phobias are irrational fears of specific objects or situations, like flying, heights, or animals.
- Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear and physical symptoms including heart palpitations, sweating, and trembling.
Living with anxiety can be extremely difficult and stressful. It can prevent you from doing the things you love, seeing people you care about, or going to places you’d normally go, leading to isolation and social withdrawal. You may have difficulty concentrating or sleeping and experience physical symptoms such as muscle tension and headaches. In severe cases, anxiety can be completely debilitating.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, know that you’re not alone and there are ways to improve your symptoms. One treatment option that has gained attention in recent years is CBD for anxiety relief. Continue reading to learn more about this natural and effective hemp-derived product.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s one of more than 120 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant alongside its infamous cousin, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, CBD is non-intoxicating, while THC is responsible for the mind-altering ‘high’ associated with marijuana use.
CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a cell-signaling system responsible for regulating sleep, mood, pain response, immune system performance, and more. The ECS maintains your body and mind balanced and healthy, and CBD gently supports its functions.
Does CBD for anxiety work?
Anxiety is complex and multifaceted — both physically exhausting and mentally draining — with many triggers and underlying causes. As a result, finding an effective treatment that works for you can be difficult.
Evidence has found that CBD affects serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a critical neurotransmitter or chemical messenger that plays a role in mood regulation. Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression, anxiety, and other health issues. Often, doctors prescribe medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Prozac and Zoloft, to counteract low serotonin as they increase availability in the brain. However, they have multiple side effects, including digestive upset, insomnia, and drowsiness.
Researchers have been studying the potential of CBD for anxiety relief, and the results have been promising. A 2015 review noted that CBD interacts with several critical brain receptors involved in mental health, including cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1R) and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. There is also evidence that established the potential of CBD as a treatment for various anxiety disorders:
In more recent 2020 research, scientists assessed the effects of CBD on nearly 400 volunteers. The participants were given CBD for mental health issues, pain, cancer-related symptoms, and neurological symptoms. After 3 weeks of treatment, all groups reported improvements in their overall quality of life. Additionally, those who received CBD treatment for anxiety or depression experienced reduced symptoms and improved daily functioning.
The authors of another 2020 review evaluated eight studies of CBD for anxiety. They found evidence to support CBD as an effective monotherapy or complementary therapy for treating generalized anxiety, SAD, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Could CBD for anxiety help soothe your mind and restore balance?
If you need a safe, natural, fast-acting approach, CBD for anxiety might be the answer. Mother Nature blessed us with the healing and uplifting powers of hemp-derived CBD to help us cope with the stresses and pressure of life.
Adding full-spectrum CBD to your daily routine helps nourish and support your body’s natural balance, allowing you to stay calm and focused in the face of anxiety. With its mild and gentle effects and growing body of evidence for effectiveness, hemp oil is emerging as an exciting option for those looking to better manage their mental health. So, could CBD for anxiety help you?
