According to the World Health Organization, approximately 264 million people worldwide have anxiety? We have all experienced it at some point in our lives. Perhaps you were preparing for an exam or delivering a public address. Then you might have the feeling of tension or nervousness set in. That is when people turn to one of the natural supplements like CBD to calm down.
Recent years have seen a rise in using CBD (Cannabidiol) products, especially from Best Place to Buy DMT Online. It isn’t surprising considering the many health benefits of CBD. What even enthralls more is that CBD is non-intoxicating, unlike its counterpart, THC.
There’s evidence CBD might help treat some health concerns by influencing some vital physiological processes. Everyone knows CBD can help with pain and anxiety, but what is the actual science behind CBD’s anxiety benefits? Therefore, to address the question about CBD’s for anxiety, keep reading to learn more.
CBD for anxiety: how does it help?
Cannabis sativa contains several active compounds, including Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the marijuana compound that causes intoxication when consumed by recreational users. Approximately 40% of the plant’s extract contains this compound.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), promoting healing by maintaining the body’s homeostasis for the various bodily and chemical processes. Recent research shows that CBD cannabinoids are like those found in the ECS. It explains why the body can use CBD efficiently.
The natural pathways through which the ECS regulates and maintains body responses like emotion, coordination, pain, mood, or movement are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. As opposed to what many believed before, CBD doesn’t bind itself to these receptors.
It stops the body from breaking down its own naturally occurring endocannabinoids to maximize the benefits of its naturally occurring ones. In addition, other factors, like stress, can interfere with the body’s endocannabinoid system and put it at risk of deficiency. CBD can therefore address this shortage and restore the balance by promoting the generation of more cannabinoids and suppressing the excessive stimulation of CB1 receptors.
Cannabis interacts explicitly with the 5-HT1As, which are also known as the serotonin receptors. The serotonin receptors handle mood and feelings of happiness. Researchers believe that the 5-HT1A receptors contribute substantially to anxiety disorders. A drug like Buspirone, which reduces anxiety behavior, binds to this receptor. It may explain why CBD may have a positive impact on people with anxiety.
An additional research study also suggests that CBD may benefit anxiety by engaging with the brain’s GABA receptors. It can have a calming effect on the brain, reducing anxiety behaviors when facing stressful situations because it slows down the brain’s activities.
What does research say about CBD for anxiety?
Various research studies determine the effectiveness of CBD for anxiety. However, most of these pieces of evidence are at their preliminary stages. Beyond this anecdotal evidence, some of these research studies hold great promise in relieving anxiety. Some of these studies include:
Dose-response study
According to a study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, researchers found out that CBD’s anxiety-reducing effects are likely to follow a bell-shaped dose-response curve. Before a public speaking test, researchers administered different CBD dosages to people. They found out that the 300 mg CBD dose reduced subjective anxiety the most, but not the 100 mg or 900 mg CBD dose.
Anxiety in healthy participants’ study
According to 2017 research published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, Cannabidiol failed to reduce response to negative emotional stimuli. It also could not reduce anxiety in healthy participants. The participants in the study took oral Cannabidiol and were subjected to negative images or threatening expressive faces and their sensitivity to social rejection.
Social anxiety study
A 2011 study published in Neuropsychopharmacology determined that CBD might help ease social anxiety. In this study, they subjected 24 people to a simulated public speaking test with CBD treatment. And, 12 other people with anxiety disorder performed the same test with no CBD treatment. This study revealed that CBD pre-treatment considerably reduced anxiety, discomfort, and cognitive impairment while delivering the speech.
CBD dose for anxiety
Healthcare professionals and researchers are not yet able to establish standardized dosage recommendations for CBD therapy. Researchers subjected a test to fifty-seven adult males in a 2019 study, and it significantly reduced their anxiety symptoms by 300–600 mg of CBD.
CBD dosage depends on how a person administers the product and how they take it to treat anxiety. There are several ways to administer CBD:
Your method of administration will determine how fast cannabinoids will take effect.
If you take orally administered CBD like edibles, oils, or capsules, you’ll start experiencing the effects within 30 minutes to two hours of administration. If you vape or smoke CBD oils or cannabis buds, you’ll have an immediate impact. You can take oral CBD products throughout the day to ease anxiety. You might find it helpful to take them in the morning with a meal.
Conclusion
CBD may provide significant relief from anxiety symptoms. There is a need for more research to verify all claims and eliminate any remaining uncertainty. Despite anecdotal evidence and a few existing clinical studies, it could become a viable alternative to managing anxiety with adequate research and proper regulation.