CBD can act as an anxiolytic, which means it can reduce anxiety and stress symptoms. A 2020 study demonstrated this fact by showing it significantly mitigated experimentally-induced acute and chronic stress responses in rats.
FAAH inhibiting FAAH’s degradation of AEA and increasing CB1/2 receptor signaling tone are effective methods of constraining stress response manifestations such as anxiety, neuroinflammation, and gastrointestinal dysfunction.
1. Take CBD Oil
CBD may help to ease stress by increasing sensitivity of CB1 receptors in the brain and increasing serotonin production, helping to calm nerves. Furthermore, studies have also shown CBD to decrease psychotic symptoms for those living with schizophrenia as well as improve sleep quality.
Studies demonstrate the ability of CBD to help manage abnormal stress responses. One such research found that it attenuated TSST-induced anxiety and cortisol levels among healthy participants.
CBD can also help athletes reduce stress and tension during training sessions and competitions, like Riley Cote of the NHL Hockey. He credits CBD with helping him get better sleep, feeling more prepared for games, allowing him to perform at higher levels and make smarter decisions during games.
2. Eat CBD-Rich Foods
Add CBD-rich foods to your diet can increase its bioavailability. Fibrous, fruit and vegetable-rich, and fermented products all contribute to maintaining a balanced gut microbiome that facilitates digestion and nutrient absorption.
CBD in these foods interacts with receptors throughout the body to increase serotonin signals, improve mood, lower heart rate and reduce inflammation – all factors which contribute to stress.
Animal studies have demonstrated the efficacy of CBD in alleviating anxiety symptoms and improving sleep quality, while potentially alleviating nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment.
Add CBD-rich foods like chia seeds, avocados and turmeric into your diet; try including CBD-infused smoothies into your daily routine as well. Cherry Wine strain is known to offer an ideal ratio of 17:1, offering stress relief without mind altering effects.
3. Exercise
Sleep and exercise can both help to alleviate stress levels, but sometimes these activities are difficult to fit into our busy daily lives.
CBD interacts with receptors in our bodies’ endocannabinoid system to promote relaxation and calm. How it does this isn’t entirely clear, though it could alter how signals from our brain regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin.
CBD has also been shown to successfully decrease anxiety in laboratory animals and improve depression symptoms in people living with bipolar disorder, according to multiple studies. Furthermore, the FDA approved two drugs containing CBD in 2018 to treat two forms of epilepsy; their promising effectiveness led researchers to further research it among people suffering from other medical conditions.
4. Sleep
CBD interacts with receptors of the endocannabinoid system to aid sleep and decrease anxiety. Additionally, CBD may increase levels of serotonin which help control mood and depression.
A 2019 study with 214 people living with PTSD concluded that CBD helped them cope with symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks more effectively while sleeping better and experiencing lower anxiety. CBD was more effective than placebo with far fewer side effects such as dizziness and headaches reported as side effects.
CBD can be purchased in various forms such as gummies, oils and lotions; however, vaping or smoking the best way to get its effects into the bloodstream and quickly reach peak plasma concentration levels. Furthermore, vaping allows you to more easily control dosage amounts – try Medterra’s Sound Asleep Gummies which combine 50 mg of CBD with 3 mg of melatonin to help relax and help induce sleep.
5. Talk to a Psychiatrist
Though more research needs to be conducted, CBD shows promise as an anxiety treatment option. Before beginning taking it yourself, consult with a healthcare professional first as they will be able to assist with finding an appropriate dose that should fall in line with what’s recommended on product labels – higher dosages could cause side effects such as diarrhea, changes in mood or reduced appetite which should all be monitored closely to avoid side effects such as diarrhea.
CBD may help ease anxiety through several mechanisms. It acts on receptors in your brain and may increase serotonin levels – which has an important impact on mood regulation; several drugs already used to treat anxiety target increasing serotonin.
A 2018 research study published in Psychopharmacology demonstrated the positive results of CBD use on anxiety and sleep issues among 57 people at a psychiatric clinic, but more research needs to be conducted on its effects. When beginning use, make sure your psychiatrist knows as this may interact with certain medications that they prescribe to you.
