One type of medical condition that a lot of people are misinformed about is anxiety. You might say you’re having a bad anxiety attack and a person may ask you if it’s because of work stress or if you are simply fatigued. The truth is that anxiety isn’t just these things. It’s a complex disorder whose face is difficult to tell. Sometimes you may feel tired, other times nauseous, and the next you can’t even sleep. According to a report that was published by the National Institute of Mental Health, this disorder affects over 20 percent of American citizens annually. So, what is anxiety and is there a natural remedy that can be used to manage it? Well, CBD is one of the compounds that has proved to be effective in treating various mental conditions and stabilizing moods. This article provides an overview of CBD and Anxiety.
What is Anxiety?
It’s a medical condition that makes you experience chronic anxiousness for extended periods of time. Anxiety usually affects your emotions and overall well-being. Some of the instances where people tend to be anxious are when meeting new people, in public spaces, when you are about to do a test/ receive results etc. However, all these instances don’t match the impact of anxiety. This disorder is simply a beast that may make your life difficult. Anxiety prevents you from enjoying a normal life. It is a psychological state that can lead to the development of various diseases including mental problems. Anxiety is a general time which can be used to describe:
- General Anxiety Disorder: A condition where you are constantly worried about daily activities or situations.
- Social Anxiety: A state in which you tend to be scared or apprehensive in various social environments.
- Panic Disorder: These are panic attacks that occur randomly and suddenly. A panic disorder can cause you to sweat, chest pains, and in some instances lead to heart attacks.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Generally, anxiety is a disorder that has many symptoms. It’s sometimes not easy to determine its face because it can come even as nausea. The symptoms below can affect anyone at any age but it can be managed.
If you are not sure if you have anxiety, some of the symptoms that you may experience include:
- Tense muscles
- Panic attacks
- Sweaty (and sometimes cold) outbreaks
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Sleepless and insomnia
Some of the conventional treatment options for anxiety include:
- Exposure therapy
- Dialectical & Cognitive Behavior therapy
- EMDR
- Medications such as; Xanax, Prozac, Klonopin, and many others.
Anxiety Management
Managing anxiety isn’t easy but it’s something that’s achievable. You need to maintain a stress-free life so as to prevent outbreaks. In order to effectively manage anxiety, below are some of the tips which you should apply:
- Ensuring that you eat healthy meals. Your diet should be free of foods or drinks that have caffeine e.g. coffee.
- Carrying out regular exercise such as walking, running, biking, jogging, hiking among others. All these helps to reduce stress which is normally associated with anxiety. Yoga and meditation are also good in calming the mind.
- Get adequate sleep and try to maintain a good sleep pattern.
So, is CBD effective in managing and reducing the symptoms of anxiety? Let’s review the relationship between this cannabis compound and anxiety disorder including how it works to combat the effect of this condition on the body.
CBD and Anxiety: How does it Work?
Can CBD Oil help treat anxiety? The truth is yes. CBD works by interacting with CB1, a brain receptor. Note that a receptor is normally a small type of protein that’s found in body cells. It works be receiving chemical signals from various stimuli and helping the cells to effectively respond to them.
When it comes to CBD and Anxiety, it’s understood that the CB1 usually alters the working of the serotonin signals. These signals are chemicals that are vital for mental health. Clinical studies suggest that people who suffer from anxiety or depression have low amounts of serotonin. CBD increases the production of serotonin, leading to reduced chances of anxiety and panic attacks. If you want to try out CBD for anxiety, ensure that you first talk to your doctor before you make changes.
CBD for Anxiety and Depression: Research and Evidence
Multiple studies have established that CBD can help to combat the effects of anxiety. For instance, According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is evidence that suggests CBD can reduce the stress levels in the body and minimize panic attacks. A controlled study that was conducted on a group of animals, it was noted that CBD effectively lowered some of the behavioral signs that are associated with anxiety. Furthermore, the animal’s physiological symptoms which are linked to anxiety e.g. heart rate showed a significant improvement.
Besides that, studies suggest that CBD can also help with other types of anxiety which include post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) and Social anxiety disorder (SAD). For those who have anxiety that’s induced by insomnia, this cannabis extract is still effective.
A comprehensive CBD experiment that was done in 2011 and published on the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2011 shows that there is a direct relation between CBD and reduced symptoms of SAD. From a group of participants where one was put in a placebo and the other was given a 400 mg oral dose, the ones who were given CBD hard generally reduced levels of anxiety.
Evidence suggests that CBD is effective in not only treating anxiety, but also other mental disorders such as depression and chronic stress. Besides that, it great in treating neurological disorders as well. A study that was done in 2016 shows that it can ease the symptoms of schizophrenia thanks to its antipsychotic benefits. It’s a good alternative to antipsychotic drugs which cause debilitating harm.
CBD Dosage for Anxiety
So, if you are suffering from anxiety, how much CBD should you take? According to studies, there is no clear CBD dosage. You can start anywhere from a small milligram going up. For starters, you can start with about 10 mg and then slowly increase the dose over the next coming weeks. Instead of taking the CBD oil once per day, you can split the dose into different portions.
Note that if you are under medication, breastfeeding or expectant, you need to first consult with your health care provider. This is because CBD can result in harmful side effects by interacting with certain medications or interfering with the growth of the baby. When you are purchasing a CBD product, ensure that it’s been tested and sourced from organically grown hemp.
Final Thoughts
CBD has been promising in treating a number of diseases including anxiety. The cannabidiol compound that is found in CBD oil changes the way the chemicals found in the body respond to stimuli. By creating a feeling of calmness, soothing the body, and relaxing tense joints, CBD helps to ease the symptoms of anxiety. It doesn’t cause intoxication hence you won’t feel high after using it. Simply take it in small doses at the start and work your way up as time goes by. Note that CBD doesn’t result in addiction or overdependence.
