Historians estimate that the flowering plant has been grown for medical purposes since 500 BC, making it a long-established notion. While Cannabis has a tarnished reputation, a cannabinoid known as Cannabinoid has gained the interest of medical experts worldwide in the last decade.
CBD, an abbreviation for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring chemical present in the cannabis plant that has been shown to have anxiolytic qualities.
As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, CBD Oil has demonstrated therapeutic efficacavioral and psychological and physiological (e.g., heart rate) indices of stress and anxiety in a variety of animal models of anxiety and stress, lowering both behy.”
Using cannabinoids to target the endocannabinoid system
A complex network that regulates neuronal activity and the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for many physical processes and is found throughout the body. In addition to memory and hunger, it affects sleep and fertility and the mood and moodiness of the individual. The final point is particularly significant, as research has found that CBD interacts with the 5-HT1a receptor, a serotonin subtype.
Serotonin, sometimes known as the “feel-good” hormone, is a neurotransmitter that helps to stabilize mood, improve sensations of happiness, and promote a general sense of well-being. In addition to being a depressant, serotonin has been related to anxiety. Therefore, many antidepressant and anxiety drugs work by actively increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Neuronal receptors are being stimulated.
In addition to interacting with the 5-HT1a receptor, CBD also activates CB1 receptors, which are found in the brain’s amygdala. Anxiety can increase when these receptors are blocked, making CBD a promising anxiolytic compound. Furthermore, The herb has been linked to increased activity in the amygdala, hippocampus brain, corticostriatal brain circuit, associated with emotional processing.
There have only been a few clinical trials examining the anxiolytic qualities of CBD, but the research that has been done so far has been promising. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders in 2018 suggested that Cannabis can reduce anxiety levels while improving stress and sadness. Whether Cannabis may treat social anxiety disorder (SAD) has also been investigated.
A study conducted by the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University in 2019 revealed that the Cannabinoid could reduce anxiety levels over four weeks.
Specialists caution that CBD obtained from cannabis strains with high THC levels might cause anxiety; thus, it is crucial to have a high percentage of CBD in your Cannabis. CBD must be derived from strains with low THC content to get anxiolytic advantages.
So, does CBD have an anti-anxiety effect?
At this moment, it is not precisely how this herb can be used to alleviate anxiety. Research suggests that it may work by affecting serotonin levels in the brain, which is thought to be the case. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a range of activities in your body, including:
- Mood
- Sleep
- Digestion
- Behavior
According to research, raising serotonin levels can be beneficial in treating anxiety. Certain pharmaceuticals, such as antidepressants, control serotonin levels, and some research suggests that CBD may function similarly to antidepressant and anti-anxiety treatments.
Can Cannabinoid help in the treatment of depression?
Much evidence or research proves that the oil may be beneficial in treating depression. However, there hasn’t been much human research conducted. Scientists believe that Cannabinoid may treat depression and anxiety in the same way it treats pain: by modifying serotonin levels.
What does the research on CBD and anxiety have to say?
According to a 2011 study, the herb can help patients with social anxiety disorder feel less anxious and uncomfortable while speaking in public.
Another research conducted in 2011 discovered that Cannabis improved anxiety symptoms in persons suffering from a social anxiety disorder.
According to several studies, The herb appears to be beneficial in treating generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, including a review published in 2015, obsessional-compulsive condition, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
According to a 2019 study, It helped 91 percent of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) feel fewer symptoms after taking the medication.
A study published in 2019 was used to treat people suffering from anxiety and insomnia. In the first month, nearly 80 percent of respondents reported reduced anxiety. Almost 70 percent said improved sleep; however, the findings for rest fluctuated with time, as did the results for anxiety.
According to a 2017 study, there was no indication that Cannabinoid reduced anxiety or paranoia, and in some instances, it exacerbated anxiety in some persons.
Generally speaking, these findings are encouraging, but a few factors to bear in mind. The sample sizes in many of these research studies are pretty tiny (even those with negative results). This means that the outcomes do not necessarily represent the general public. Two things to note about these studies: they do not examine the long-term consequences of taking it for anxiety. This implies that we don’t know whether taking the medication over a long period consistently lessens symptoms of worry.
Dosage
Consult your doctor if you’re interested in experimenting with the oil to treat your anxiety. They can help you figure out what dosage is best for you to begin with.
However, the non-profit National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) cautions that just a small number of commercially accessible products contain enough CBD to reproduce the therapeutic results observed in clinical trials, according to the organization.
In a 2018 study, Cannabinoid was administered to male individuals before participating in a simulated public speaking test. The researchers discovered that oral dosage of 300 mg, given 90 minutes before the exam, was sufficient to significantly lower the nervousness of the speakers who took part in it.
Members in the placebo group and those who received 150 mg of the drug observed no improvement. Similarly, participants who got 600 mg experienced the same results. The study only included 57 participants, making it a limited sample size. More study is needed to identify the optimal dosage for those suffering from anxiety, including studies involving female subjects, among other things.
Bottom Line
Some people with anxiety may be able to manage their condition with CBD. However, you should talk to your doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.
