By Lauren Klesser
One of the most prevalent mental health conditions we face as a society today is anxiety. Many statistics show that one in four people will experience the condition at one point in their life.
While some people turn to exercise, healthy eating, and meditation to ease their anxiety, a growing number of people are embracing something else—CBD oil.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed almost every facet of life, many people have also become increasingly anxious. CBD is currently being studied for its potential to treat various types of conditions including anxiety.
Know Your Enemy: What Anxiety Is
In essence, anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. It is often characterized by tension, recurring thoughts, and excessive worrying. In some cases, physical changes like high blood pressure can also manifest.
Feeling anxious especially during times like these is perfectly normal. However, for others, dealing and managing their emotions and anxiety can become really challenging. When anxiety is not managed accordingly, it can cause distress and affect daily life significantly.
Left unattended, anxiety can also develop into other conditions that might require special treatment including phobias, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder.
CBD Oil in a Nutshell
CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical that’s naturally found in cannabis plants. Many research has highlighted CBD oil’s potential to relieve anxiety, among other conditions.
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD will not cause any feelings of intoxication. In other words, users won’t feel any of the “high” that’s often associated with cannabis use.
How CBD Works
The human body has a lot of different receptors. Receptors are the protein-based chemical structures that are attached to the cells. They work by receiving signals from different stimuli.
CBD is believed to interact with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. While the exact way CBD can affect the brain is not fully understood yet, it is believed to alter the serotonin signals.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in one’s mental health. People with depression are believed to have low serotonin levels. In some instances, anxiety has also been associated with not having enough serotonin.
While there are several treatment options available for people with low serotonin, many people nowadays turn to cbd öl to effectively manage their condition. As a general rule of thumb however, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor first before making any drastic changes to your current treatment plan.
Other CBD products are also considered promising treatments for painful health conditions that don’t respond well to conventional therapies like inflammatory, oncologic, and neuropathic pain.
Treating Anxiety with CBD Oil
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported that CBD has been shown to minimize stress in animals like rats. The research also showed that the study subjects also showed lower behavioral signs of anxiety. There was also a notable improvement in some of their physiological symptoms like increased heart rate.
Other Forms of Anxiety
CBD oil may also benefit individuals with other forms of anxiety such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD). It may also help people with anxiety-induced insomnia. Victor Nguyen, PharmD said in his article that it’s not completely known what causes anxiety but there may be some links to genetics, certain social situations, or environmental factors. Often times there are certain triggers that set off anxiety such as medications, substance abuse, trauma, or certain memories. Recent studies also indicated that CBD oil can help people that exhibit PTSD symptoms like nightmares and replaying of negative memories.
Multiple studies have been conducted to check CBD’s viability as a standalone treatment for PTSD as well as a supplement to conventional treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication.
The Right Dosage
If you’re considering using CBD oil to treat your anxiety, talking to your doctor first is recommended. They can help you figure out the right starting dosage that will be best for you. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before using CBD oil for anxiety, since you may need to obtain a medical marijuana card to purchase it. Depending on your situation, they can help you determine the right starting dosage.
About the Author
Lauren Klesser is the Content Marketing Strategist for Half Day CBD, a thoughtfully-curated brand of organic hemp-derived products like CBD oils, CBD vape, and CBD gummies, which are designed to help manage pain, anxiety, stress and sleep issues. In her spare time, she plays axe throwing and escape games with her family and friends.
