It is absolutely normal to be anxious. When faced with a problem or a situation, we experience anxiety. We tend to worry when we are trying to finish a deadline that seems impossible to beat. We cram during final exams.
Just like other emotions, such as fear, anger, sadness or happiness, anxiety is a normal reaction that helps a person cope and deal with present situation. It is common and plays a significant role in relation to a person's ability to adapt and survive.
However, when anxiety gets out of hand and leads to an unreasonable fear or worry of daily activities, it has become a disorder. Unfortunately, the medical system’s solution to anxiety falls short for many people. Anxiety disorders are generally treated with medication or specific types of psychotherapy, or both. Treatment depends on the severity of the case and the person's preference. Be sure that a doctor is consulted to evaluate the cause of anxiety disorder before treatment begins. Sometimes alcoholism, depression, or other coexisting conditions have such a strong effect on the individual that treating the anxiety disorder must wait until the coexisting conditions are brought under control.
If you struggle with chronic stress or anxiety, you may be considering supplementing your treatment with CBD topical creams, CBD sublingual drops, CBD vapes, or CBD suppositories.
does CBD help with anxiety?
The growing popularity of CBD products as anti-anxiety products is supported by plenty of research, though there’s still a long way to go. Several clinical trials with humans are currently underway, but there is already good evidence of CBD’s usefulness for:
•Generalized anxiety disorder
•Panic disorder
•Social anxiety disorder
•Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)
•Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
cbd: why is it so effective
There are many different ways CBD affects our body. There are more than 65 target sites throughout the body for cannabidiol to bind to, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the sources of its therapeutic properties. Studies currently suggest that CBD counters anxiety by stimulating neurotransmitter systems and neural regeneration. These neurotransmitters are essential to our health and many imbalances are linked to different diseases and mental disorders.
One neurotransmitter that plays an important role in this scenario is Serotonin. Serotonin has at least 14 different receptors, but CBD specifically binds to 5-HT1A which is thought to have the strongest role in generalized anxiety disorders. A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology performed on rats "indicate that CBD, by activating 5-HT1A receptors, can attenuate physiological and behavioural responses to restraint stress. This finding raises the possibility that CBD could be useful for treating psychiatric disorders thought to involve impairment of stress-coping mechanisms, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder."
There is also plenty of research done on CBD and the effects on the endocannabinoid system. CBD could help restore balance to the endocannabinoid system by preventing overstimulation of our CB1 receptors and by boosting our body’s production of endocannabinoids. Rodent experiments show that CBD relieves OCD and other anxious behaviours by acting on the endocannabinoid system.
integrative health: cbd + pharmaceuticals + meditation
Some of the common negative effects of prolonged stress include fatigue, pain in the muscles and joints, depression, anxiety, headache, mental confusion, and irritability. These stress reactions cause your body to use too much energy, which can eventually result in physical and mental weakness.
We encourage you to consult with a healthcare provider for a medical evaluation if you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of stress and anxiety. Some medical professionals may suggest that people try multiple types of therapy, including traditional psychotherapy & pharmaceutical treatments with relaxation techniques such as yoga & meditation.
At Stanford University, an analysis of 146 meditation studies was done. The conclusion was that meditation was not only beneficial at the time of practice, but that it significantly reduced anxiety as a character trait. Most of the studies focused on transcendental meditation, but it's probable most methods have similar results.
Practice, and you'll get better at finding what's just below the surface of consciousness that is bothering you. Once you address these things, close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and you'll feel more relaxed and able to think clearly. Try it now. It's a powerful way to reduce your stress and anxiety.
Check out our products page for more information on specific products with cbd.
Written by : Angelik Karapetian, Founder of mother•s dose, PharmD.