CBD AND ANXIETY: THE EIGHT MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, or uneasiness that can make us feel tense or even paralyze us or cause palpitations. Sometimes, when it is mild, it is just a normal passing reaction to a stressful situation. However, at other times it becomes persistent, interfering with all the activities of our daily lives. This is when it becomes a dangerous enemy to beat. In Spain, 6.7% of the population suffers from anxiety, which is usually treated with anxiolytic drugs, with their consequent side effects.
The search for natural solutions to treat anxiety is one of the collective challenges today. It is known that some routines help, such as orderly sleep or sports practice. The economic, social, and family context of the individual is also decisive. Now CBD, the non-psychoactive component of hemp that brings us so much joy, has been added to this list. Its anxiolytic effect has been endorsed in many studies, such as this one from The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, which showed that CBD reduced anxiety by 42.5% in children and young people aged between 12 and 25.
We answer your most frequent questions about CBD and anxiety.
Is CBD good for combating anxiety?
Studies like the one mentioned above suggest it is. In fact, 51% of adults who use CBD in the U.S. do so to combat anxiety, according to a Forbes Health survey.
How does CBD combat anxiety?
For everything to be in order inside us, we need the body to generate anandamide, an organic chemical compound that regulates everything from mood to fear, to stress and anxiety tolerance. An easy way to stimulate the endocannabinoid system is with the use of CBD, which increases the natural production of anandamide and inhibits the enzyme responsible for its metabolization (FAAH).
This causes us to have more anandamide for a longer time in the body, which will improve our mental health. Preclinical evidence already shows the anxiolytic potential of CBD. Thus, there are scientific articles that indicate how cannabidiol facilitates the extinction of fear through CB1 receptors, reduces anxiety about speaking in public, or influences the improvement of post-traumatic stress.
There are even studies, such as the one published in the specialized neuroscience journal Translational Psychiatry, which indicate that cannabidiol leads to a significant increase in serum levels of anandamide, which, in clinical studies, is associated with improvement in patients with schizophrenia, without them having to deal with the side effects of treatment with antipsychotics. Come and visit their web page to have a fantastic read about CBD.
Can anyone benefit?
CBD is a 100% safe and non-psychoactive substance, according to the WHO. Thus, all people (including pets) can perfectly well use this substance, as long as it comes from a quality supplier. However, it is important to be clear that in no case is it a substitute for the medication and, if you have anxiety, the first step is to visit the doctor. Health personnel are increasingly knowledgeable about this natural substance and will know how to help you introduce it into your daily life to tackle anxiety.