The Endocannabinoid System is one of the primary regulators of stress responses. CBD has been shown to increase levels of naturally occurring chemicals that reduce stress responses.
CBD also interacts with serotonin receptors to ease anxiety and depression symptoms, according to studies. Studies have also demonstrated its efficacy at decreasing physiological symptoms associated with anxiety such as increased heart rate.
Effects
CBD is an increasingly popular natural supplement used to help relieve symptoms of anxiety. It works by engaging the endocannabinoid system to elevate serotonin levels, and studies demonstrate its efficacy at relieving stress for individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
CBD’s ability to ease anxiety and stress stems from its ability to increase activity of the endocannabinoid receptor. This leads to improvements in mood, sleep quality and pain management – according to a 2019 study participants who took CBD experienced lower anxiety levels and enhanced restful slumber than those in a placebo group.
Within the first month, users typically experience the positive effects of CBD for anxiety and stress relief. Products include capsules and tinctures; which is best depends on personal preferences and medical condition.
An effective solution for relieving stress may be CBD oil tincture, which can be consumed sublingually or added to food and beverages, or applied topically as creams and balms to the skin for absorption directly into your bloodstream.
Dosage
CBD oil is widely available and relatively affordable, yet its chemical makeup remains poorly understood. If you decide to give CBD a try, begin slowly by increasing your dosage over time. Keep in mind that it may interact with certain drugs, so consult your physician before adding anything new or changing your current regime with this supplement.
A quasi-experimental study recruited 374 adult participants who were interested in testing CBD products to reduce stress. Each subject used an isolated or broad spectrum tincture product for 30 or 60 days and self-reported their effectiveness at relieving stress; ratings for broad spectrum products were higher. Unfortunately, however, this research had several limitations that made attribution impossible – first among which being their self-selection which caused different baseline stress levels to vary; second being regimens started off using isolate before moving onto broad spectrum; so order effects may have had an influence over results; results may have varied greatly as well.
Studies on CBD’s anxiolytic effects are limited, with limited trials that report them and poor design and reporting quality. One such randomized clinical trial limited analysis to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia; it concluded that CBD reduced psychotic symptoms but had little or no influence on cognitive functions.
Precautions
Before trying CBD to treat anxiety, it is advisable to speak to your healthcare provider first. While CBD tends to be well-tolerated and nonaddictive, it could interact with some medications – for instance increasing levels of certain blood thinners or antidepressants by competing for liver enzymes that break them down or interfering with certain antipsychotics that treat anxiety by decreasing serotonin levels.
Keep a diary of what type of CBD products, how much, and any adverse side effects that you experience. THC content in products can impact how they make you feel so it is wise to read labels carefully. If your state legalizes marijuana, CBD products can be purchased from special cannabis dispensaries and clinics; their labeling may differ and ingredients could change over time.
Keep an eye out when purchasing CBD products online from unlicensed retailers, as these may contain fake, dangerous contaminants or less CBD than advertised. They may also not have been stored properly which could alter its potency and effectiveness. If using CBD to treat anxiety, start slowly by starting with small doses until your symptoms improve; gradually increase dosage based on tolerance; stop use if there’s no improvement or adverse side effects are noticed;
