CBD has been shown to significantly reduce experimentally induced anxiety and fear. This includes decreased amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex responses to fearful faces, decreased skin conductance response to threat, reduced fear expression, enhanced fear extinction, and prevention of long-term anxiogenic effects from stress.
No one really understands exactly how CBD helps reduce anxiety, but one possible method could involve increasing serotonin levels. Prescription-only antidepressants often serve to raise levels of serotonin.
Symptoms
CBD interacts with over 65 receptors in the brain, changing how those receptors receive signals. Some of those signals have an effect on your mood – including serotonin levels which play a significant role in anxiety and depression treatment medications.
CBD has demonstrated its anxiolytic effects in various animal models, such as the elevated plus maze and Vogel conflict test. Furthermore, it inhibited escape responses in an ETM and decreased defensive immobility in a boa constrictor test–both through 5-HT1AR activation–while also helping prevent long-term anxiogenic effects from stress as well as improving extinction and reconsolidation blocking of persistent fear memories.
A recent CU Boulder study discovered that cannabis products containing high amounts of nonintoxicating CBD effectively relieve anxiety more effectively than products with THC dominance, without experiencing the typical side effects associated with other medications, including drowsiness, impairment and paranoia. Furthermore, using cannabis enhanced patients’ abilities to engage in exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy treatments in order to overcome their PTSD symptoms more rapidly.
Causes
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of CBD for relieving anxiety symptoms across various conditions. As a natural compound found in cannabis plants, CBD can be safely bought, sold, and used legally in many states; additionally it may be taken orally via capsules or tinctures; some research studies even show it to be more effective than prescription medications in alleviating stress levels.
Preclinical studies demonstrate that CBD exhibits anxiolytic-like actions in animal models of natural fear and anxiety behaviors with minimal sedative side effects. Furthermore, CBD was found to effectively decrease experimentally induced anxiety levels during public speaking tests in healthy subjects without altering baseline anxiety levels; additionally it enhanced fear extinction although results were mixed.
CBD demonstrated significant efficacy against defensive immobility and explosive escape responses in rats exposed to panic attacks using the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) model, particularly through 5-HT1AR activation. Furthermore, systemic CBD administration prevented chronic unpredictable stressor-induced anxiety increases as well as increasing hippocampal AEA scores in these animals.
Treatment
CBD (Cannabidiol) is an all-natural chemical found in cannabis plants that does not cause intoxication like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Most CBD is extracted from hemp, which is legal to sell both online and in physical stores in some states. CBD has been scientifically shown to reduce anxiety symptoms as well as improve sleep – two commonly experienced symptoms associated with anxiety. Studies have proven its efficacy against both conditions simultaneously.
CBD works on more than 65 receptors in your brain that impact your mood, including those linked to controlling it. By increasing levels of serotonin–an endogenous hormone in your body which works towards stabilizing it–CBD may also help increase focus and concentration – both key features when living with anxiety.
Before trying CBD or marijuana, however, it’s essential to speak to your physician first as this could interfere with certain medications and worsen anxiety levels. THC should also be avoided since this has been shown to aggravate stress levels further. Research indicates that CBD may help those living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Prevention
CBD is an all-natural way to treat anxiety. Available as oil, capsules, spray and topical cream products as well as food and beverages containing it – even being added into food and drinks as an infusion – CBD should be chosen carefully as many unregulated products contain more THC than advertised and may trigger drug tests.
Studies show that CBD may help alleviate anxiety symptoms, though it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution and might not be as effective as prescription medicines.
CBD may actually make anxiety symptoms worse in certain circumstances, since full-spectrum cannabis and hemp plants contain THC, a mind-altering compound. CBD products usually contain minimal levels of THC – typically 0.3% or less; those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) should avoid products containing more than trace amounts of THC, as this could trigger paranoia and flashbacks.
