CBD for anxiety: how much should we take?
CBD for anxiety
Fear is necessary for survival. It protects our
body in dangerous situations. However, if it is present constantly, a
background of anxiety is created, and we are already dealing with an anxiety
disorder. The result can be panic, shortness of breath and even chest pain.
Anxiety, panic attacks, depression greatly worsen the overall well-being.
Medications can help, but they often have
serious side effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a plant-based alternative. This hemp
extract may support the body’s response to anxiety disorders and panic
attacks.[1]
What is anxiety?
Fear and anxiety are deeply ingrained in people
and are a natural response to stressful situations.
However, doctors speak of anxiety disorders when
these emotions go beyond “healthy” and natural levels. In these cases, people
feel anxious even when the situation does not seem to warrant it.[2]
Anxiety disorders can be divided as follows:
· Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Patients experience a constant feeling of
anxiety for no apparent reason, which seriously impairs their quality of life.
They are nervous, distracted, and have to deal with hot flashes, pain (e.g.,
headaches), and insomnia.
· Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Patients experience a constant feeling of anxiety for no apparent reason, which seriously impairs their quality of life. They are nervous, distracted, and have to deal with hot flashes, pain (e.g., headaches), and insomnia.
Social Phobia:
People with social phobia have trouble engaging
in social interactions. Even a simple conversation with a stranger causes
intense anxiety, which can lead to panic attacks. Interacting with an audience,
such as during a business presentation, is also a seemingly insurmountable
challenge.
· Panic Disorder:
This disorder is characterized by intense and
overwhelming feelings of anxiety that come on suddenly and often culminate in a
panic attack, which can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating,
nausea, and other very unpleasant symptoms.
· Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a delayed psychological reaction to a traumatic event, often associated with anxiety and panic.
In addition, various other anxiety disorders
have a serious impact on psychological well-being. According to the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), anxiety
disorders affect around 25 million people across the EU [3]. People affected
often find it difficult to talk about it and wait too long to seek medical
attention.
Traditional treatment and the use of CBD as a
natural supplement are not mutually exclusive in most cases.
Causes of Anxiety:
There is currently no generally accepted
explanation for the development of anxiety disorders. Experts base their ideas
on the idea that anxiety disorders are caused by the interaction of physical,
psychological and social factors, which are divided into 3 categories:
Causative factors
These include genetic predisposition (people
whose relatives suffer from anxiety disorders are at increased risk),
personality, and upbringing.
Triggers
This category includes traumatic experiences,
acute stress (which increases the production of stress hormones such as
cortisol or adrenaline), physical conditions, or the use of drugs and certain
medications.
Contributing factors
Some examples include social factors (difficult
family relationships, divorce, and anxiety-provoking media), repressed
emotions, or a reluctance to face or talk about one's anxiety.[3]
CBD can help with anxiety disorders.
The most common symptoms of anxiety disorders
are:
- Increased stress and inability to relax;
- Actual or perceived shortness of breath;
- Sweating (especially cold sweat);
- Panic attacks;
- Rapid metabolism;
- Reduced blood supply to the genitals;
- Digestive conditions.
According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), anxiety and depression are on the rise worldwide. Both are accompanied
by serious disruptions in daily life: loss of concentration, palpitations,
dizziness, inability to sleep well, sweating. If left untreated, these
conditions significantly impair the quality of life of sufferers[4].
How CBD Helps with Anxiety Disorders and Panic Attacks.
Interaction with the Endocannabinoid System:
Humans have an endogenous endocannabinoid system
(ECS). As part of the nervous system, it influences many biological processes.
And if it gets out of balance, there can be serious consequences. CBD interacts
with the ESC system by stimulating the cannabinoid receptors CB-1 and CB-2.
These receptors are distributed throughout the body and especially in the brain.
By stimulating these – mainly the CB1 receptors
in the brain – CBD can provide calm and relaxation.[1]
Benefits of CBD for reducing anxiety:
Anxiety disorders are often treated with
tranquilizers and anti-anxiety medications, which often have serious side
effects. They promise quick relief but are not intended for long-term use
because they can be addictive.
Therefore, it is advisable to take them only for
a short period of time or when anxiety or panic is particularly intense. Those
who deal with discomfort or hidden anxiety on a daily basis will find few
effective remedies that can be taken continuously[5].
How to Take CBD for Anxiety:
The new 100 CBD capsules are perfect if you want
to use cannabidiol to treat anxiety. We also recommend our 100 CBD oil for
panic attacks as the oil works faster than the capsules.
Reviews and research on CBD for anxiety treatment
Scientifically proven: CBD can help manage
anxiety and panic attacks. In 2015, the journal Neurotherapeutics published a
review of numerous studies examining CBD’s potential to combat anxiety. The
results showed that CBD may be effective for both anxiety and panic attacks.The
review examined 49 preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies, some of
which involved technologies that allow the study of brain metabolism[6].
But CBD may also reduce anxiety caused by
post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder, as shown in a
study conducted at the New York University School of Medicine by Esther M.
Blessing, Maria M. Steenkamp, Jorge Manzanares, and Charles R. Marmar [1].
A 2018 study by the University of Washington
provides more positive evidence. Researchers examined the effectiveness of
cannabis in treating stress and anxiety in more than 1,400 affected
individuals. The result: 58 percent of participants experienced significant
relief after taking cannabis.The study also recorded the type and amount of
cannabis consumed, as well as its effects. Participants reported that cannabis
with a high CBD content and low THC content was most effective in relieving
anxiety. The full results were published in the Journal of Affective Disorders [7].
References:
2.https://www.webmd.com/cannabinoids/cbd-depression-anxiety
3. https://unic.org.ua/partners/4/
5.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7480724/
6.https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/neurotherapeutics
7.https://directivepublications.org/the-journal-of-affective-disorders