It’s one things for CBD to promote relaxation. It’s another question completely on whether CBD oil can treat anxiety. Let’s dive right into it and see what the science says.
Anxiety and its many different forms is the most common mental illness ailing people in the USA and perhaps the world. It’s estimated that over 40 million people in the US suffer from some type such as GAD, social anxiety, PD, and PTSD. That’s almost 20% of the population and of those, less than half ever receive treatment!
Worldwide statistics paint a bleak picture as well. Some studies have estimated that 4 percent of the world’s population has some form of anxiety – about 170 million women and 107 million men.
Part of the reason that there are so many people that suffer in solitude without ever seeking treatment is that pharmaceutical drugs are often the first response by healthcare professionals. For many it’s a scary prospect to take a man-made drug that tinkers with our brain’s natural chemistry.
And that’s why CBD’s popularity and legalization is so exciting! For decades there’s been anecdotal stories and bit’s of research hidden in foreign languages that have described CBD’s powerful effects. From treating seizures to anxiety, the mythos of CBD is finally being examined under the scope of modern science and your questions are being answered.
“Can CBD treat my anxiety?” “What kind of CBD works best?” “What are the side effects of CBD?” Keep reading to get all the answers on how CBD can improve your life and take away some of your stress and anxiety.
CBD: What Is It and How Is It Used?
The cannabis plant is made up of over 100 active chemicals called cannabinoids. Each of these cannabinoids, when ingested, enter our bloodstreams and seek out our cannabinoid receptors, which are located throughout the body and nervous system.
And each of those cannabinoids have their own distinct shape that match a particular cannabinoid receptor in our body, like a key to a gate. When a particular receptor is activated there’s a cascade of effects in both the brain and the body.
You may have heard of two of the most famous cannabinoids: THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol.
While part of the same family, CBD and THC have vastly different chemical structures. In fact they’re not usually derived from the same part of the cannabis plant. CBD is extracted from industrial hemp while THC is usually extracted from very specific female marijuana plants. Legally a hemp plant can’t contain more than 0.3% of THC so
It’s really important to hammer home that distinction because THC is the psychoactive component to “getting high” and CBD only affects your body – it will not get you high.
So when people talk about marijuana being great for nausea and pain relief, those are actually the side-effects of CBD! It’s soothing and relaxing nature is what’s exciting medical professionals around the world. And there’s evidence that it goes beyond physical sensations and actually relaxes the mind and spirit.
Can CBD help with your anxiety?
Scientists across the world are working tirelessly to fully understand this question. Every month there’s new studies that push the boundaries of what we collectively know about CBD and how it works exactly.
But those discoveries take time and there’s a strict procedure those researchers must obey before they’re allowed to prescribe CBD oil for anxiety. Most studies end in a variation of “results are promising, but more research must be done.” The point is that CBD isn’t like aspirin. Using it to treat your anxiety is an experiment, there are no guaranteed results. With that said, you should check out some of the research that has been done on the subject. While there’s nothing definitive, these papers paint a promising picture. Paired with a host of anecdotal evidence, there’s no reason you can’t, at the very least, try it.
Here’s a handful of studies regarding CBD for anxiety.
• In 2019, mental health researchers based in Fort Collins, CO studied 72 patients that were struggling with chronic anxiety. They gave participants CBD oil over the span of a couple of months and analyzed their reactions.
And almost 80% reported notable improvements within the first month! By the second month, another 78% reported even further improvement in their anxiety symptoms. These results are significant because they showcase the powerful near-term effects of CBD along with it’s feasibility for the long-term.
• Another one from the National Institute of Health found that CBD had a marked calming effect on a range of anxiety disorders, but especially so with GAD (generalized anxiety) and PD (panic disorder). Researchers trace the therapeutic effects to CBD’s influence on Serotonin and it’s ability to balance levels in the body.
• In 2015 a team of researchers went over the entirety of CBD research to try and make some statistical interpretations of all the data/results. By analyzing hundreds of studies they found a common theme in CBD’s relationship with anxiety. They found a statistical probability that acute doses of CBD were very effective in treating anxiety disorders, specifically GAD, PD, PTSD and OCD.
Find the Right CBD for You
The evidence is there. In vlogs on YouTube and scientific studies, there’s a lot of potential using CBD oil for your anxiety. But before you begin any treatment for you mental health it’s always wise to consult a trained professional and have your doctor involved. Treat your medical decisions with caution and planning.
And you can count on us at CBDRatings to provide information about the best suppliers of CBD. We’ve tried hundreds of different CBD vendors to bring you the most up-to-date information. We can help you find businesses that provide only the highest quality products. Check out some of our reviews below!