CBD reduces experimentally-induced anxiety without altering baseline levels, enhances fear extinction, and blocks long-term anxiogenic effects of stress. CBD acts on multiple neurotransmitters and receptors to promote relaxation.
Studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of CBD in treating anxiety and depression. It may work by blocking reuptake of serotonin and other neurotransmitters that modulate mood.
Stress relief
CBD may help reduce stress levels by stimulating the signalling of endogenous cannabinoids such as anandamide. This may help dampen down your natural stress response and promote feelings of calm (Mandolini et al, 2018). CBD has also been shown to decrease anxiety by inhibiting activity in key brain areas associated with fear reactions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
CBD has been shown to be effective against general anxiety and panic disorders in animal models. CBD was shown to decrease escape responses during elevated T maze, Vogel conflict test and predator-prey models through 5-HT1AR activation and CB1R blockade, thus decreasing escape response frequency as well as defensive immobility in these tests.
One study with male participants who took an oral dose of CBD before taking part in a mock public speaking test found it significantly reduced anxiety as measured by their heart rate and blood pressure. A subsequent SPECT study demonstrated how systemic CBD had reduced resting cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in limbic regions such as amygdala and hippocampus while not altering resting cerebral blood flow in left periaqueductal gray, hypothalamus or posterior cingulate gyrus; suggesting these changes do not correlate with any anxiolytic effects.
Sleep improvement
Sleep is essential to overall health; it helps form memories, prevent sickness and ensure we wake up feeling rested. Unfortunately, getting enough restful slumber may prove challenging.
CBD may help promote relaxation, assist with falling and staying asleep, relieve anxiety and stress levels and promote calmness by engaging the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
CBD may help people suffering from insomnia or PTSD to experience better restful nights by regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Studies have demonstrated how CBD can decrease nightmare frequency and severity while improving restful slumber in patients living with PTSD; although more research needs to be conducted into this topic.
Anxiety relief
CBD interacts with receptors in your brain that regulate serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for relaxing both mind and body as well as improving mood by decreasing anxiety and depression. CBD can increase serotonin signalling to relieve anxiety and depression as well as reduce body stress responses for better relaxation and restful sleeping.
CBD has demonstrated anxiolytic effects in various animal models, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM) and Vogel conflict test (VCT). CBD can prevent fear re-exposure and reconsolidation of conditioned fear memories; which is useful for treating PTSD. Furthermore, it enhanced extinction learning indicating its potential use as an adjunctive therapy alongside cognitive behavioral therapy.
Systemic CBD may reduce acute increases in heart rate and blood pressure induced by restraint stress, possibly through activation of 5-HT1AR receptors. Furthermore, systemic CBD appears to decrease defensive immobility and explosive escape in a predator-prey model of anxiety as well as decrease defensive immobility due to medial prefrontal cortex connectivity with amygdala connectivity.
Digestive health
CBD can increase serotonin levels, which in turn assists digestion. This may alleviate symptoms associated with digestive disorders like gas, diarrhea and constipation. Furthermore, CBD has also been proven to strengthen the gut-brain connection – an interconnectivity system between body and mind that influences GI function.
Studies conducted using a mouse model of colitis demonstrated that CBD could significantly lower disease activity scores, including measures such as diarrhea and bloody stool. It also improved intestinal inflammation and barrier functions while alleviating pain and discomfort within the intestinal tract.
Clinical research backs these benefits up, such as one small study which showed CBD could reduce drug cravings among people addicted to opioids or cannabis, although more research needs to be conducted. Furthermore, CBD can be taken orally as a supplement to aid digestion or alleviate stress-related issues; additionally it may also be added to bath bombs for relaxation purposes.
