Anxiety has become a common problem in today’s fast-paced world. We are always connected with the web, consume hours and hours of content, go to work, and face hectic situations one after another.
The lack of rest, proper diet, and exercise make us prone to sudden anxiety attacks. It’s that strange feeling of uneasiness and fear that overtakes us, makes us restless and tense, and increases our heartbeat, it often gets triggered under stressful situations.
As per reports from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over 40 million Americans suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder. There are plenty of prescription medicines available for anxiety, but they are full of chemicals that can cause harm in long-term usage.
That’s why people have started sifting through cannabis-based products like CBD oils and gummies to deal with their anxiety issues. Being a natural compound, CBD hardly has any severe side effects and is proven to be an effective aid for anxiety symptoms.
We will try to decode the relationship between cannabis and anxiety and determine whether it’s an effective remedy for it.
Cannabis: THC or CBD?
There are two main cannabinoids in cannabis plants that help reduce anxiety symptoms by making us calm and composed: CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Both are found in two varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, i.e., hemp and marijuana.
Hemp plants have higher concentrations of CBD and trace amounts of THC, whereas marijuana has a high concentration of THC and a low concentration of CBD.
THC has intoxicating properties and makes a user feel high or stoned, whereas CBD is completely non-sedative and non-intoxicating. That’s why the 2018 farm bill only allows legal production, sale, and consumption of hemp-derived CBD products, with THC levels capped at 0.3%.
Though many people still smoke marijuana to cope with anxiety, it can have serious, long-term harmful effects. In fact, in some cases, a higher THC dose acts as a trigger for panic and anxiety attacks.
That’s why people are gradually shifting to CBD for anxiety relief. Studies have shown that CBD helps in dealing with a variety of anxiety disorders without any severe side effects. So if you want a natural, clean, and effective remedy for anxiety, CBD is a perfect choice.
How Cannabis Can Treat Anxiety?
Our body has an internal cluster of cannabinoid receptors, known as the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a complex web of cell signaling networks that is spread throughout our body. It creates a state of balance by controlling a large number of physiological processes in our body, including stress response, anxiety levels, appetite, metabolism, immune response, pain perception, memory, and more.
When we consume CBD, it balances the response of the body's highly interactive stress and reward networks, which are made up of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), dopamine system, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. In simple words, this complex network is essential for maintaining a balance between our well-being and distress.
CBD also affects CB1, CB2, 5-HT and TRPV1 receptors.That’s why, when we face anxiety during social events or in uncertain, dire situations, taking a few drops of CBD oil can make us calm and composed. Its anxiolytic effects and reward system appeasement trigger a quick wave of relaxation and ease throughout our body.
Another way in which CBD works for anxiety is by bringing the cortisol levels down. Cortisol is a hormone that basically regulates our body’s stress response. It peaks during stressful events to keep us on high alert.
Long durations of this heightened state due to high cortisol can cause severe distress and anxiety, making it impossible for us to calm down and relax. A crossover study found that oral CBD dosages, like CBD oils and tinctures, can significantly lower plasma cortisol levels.
Plus, as stated above, CBD is quite safe. You cannot overdo it, and you will not get addicted to it. Whereas prescription anxiety medications are the exact opposite of this, people can become dependent on them with long-term use.
Types Of Anxiety Disorders Cannabis Can Help With
Now we know how Cannabis products like CBD gummies and oils work in our body to bring anxiety levels down. A variety of anxiety disorders often leads to a reduced sense of well-being, increased rates of unemployment, suicide risks, and relationships going bad.
Let’s take a look at what kind of anxiety disorders CBD may help you with.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promising results in reducing symptoms of social anxiety disorder, a condition characterized by intense fear in social situations. Studies show that a single dose of CBD may significantly reduce anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort among individuals with social anxiety during a public speaking event.
This proves that CBD could be a safe and effective treatment option for managing social anxiety. So next time, if you are hesitant to give a speech in your office, just take a few drops of CBD oil a few minutes before the event.
General Anxiety Disorders
People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder often experience excessive and constant worry about various aspects of life. Studies have shown that including CBD with existing treatments like therapy, eating clean food, and doing regular exercise can reduce anxiety levels and improve sleep hygiene in individuals.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD can develop in people who have faced traumatic events in their lives. Certain environmental triggers can invoke painful and traumatic memories in PTSD patients.
Some initial trials show that CBD may significantly reduce PTSD symptoms such as sudden anxiety attacks, insomnia, and violent outbursts. It also helps patients by reducing nightmares, which is a common and prevalent life-altering issue among PTSD patients.
Key Takeaways
To sum it up, yes! Cannabis is an effective remedy for anxiety. Though one should try to go with CBD products like gummies and oil instead of smoking marijuana to cope with stress and anxiety,
Marijuana has higher levels of THC, which may trigger panic attacks and increase anxiety levels. Whereas CBD is completely non-intoxicating and is scientifically proven to be effective against a variety of anxiety and neurological disorders like social anxiety, general anxiety, PTSD, nightmares, epilepsy, and more.
CBD is also much safer than prescription anxiety medications because it's a completely natural substance, derived from hemp plants, and doesn't have any severe side effects.
CBD is also superior to anxiety medications because there are no harmful chemicals in CBD products, and one cannot become addicted to them. To further boost CBD’s anti-anxiety effects, people should follow a healthy lifestyle by eating non-processed food, doing regular workouts, and talking therapy when required.
Always make sure to buy CBD only from reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals, which provide you with the latest lab test reports. Remember, always start with a low dose, follow the instructions mentioned on the label, and keep yourself hydrated.
