We live in a hectic world where opportunities to relax are few and far in between. It’s not surprising, then, how common anxiety has become among people. However, while we’re still far from finding a definite cure to anxiety, Cannabidiol (CBD) seems to offer a promising solution.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the almost 200 cannabinoid compounds found in marijuana and hemp plants. However, unlike marijuana, hemp-based CBD lacks the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compound, so it can help you relax without getting you high.
Scientists believe that CBD’s benefits derive from its ability to feed the human endocannabinoid system which is responsible for regulating a wide variety of biological processes in the human body, such as sleep, immune function, and stress — among other.
Research shows a link between CBD use and reduced anxiety
Although CBD’s effects on anxiety are still not fully understood, there seems to be a consensus among scientists that its use could help to control anxiety symptoms.
In a study done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, researchers found that CBD reduces stress symptoms, such as acute increases in heart rate and blood pressure, in animal test subjects.
Similar studies carried on humans replicated these results for more specific types of anxiety, such as social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CBD can be used to reduce and eliminate conditioned fear responses, such as phobias or childhood traumas, by helping to create new memories that inhibit fear responses.
CBD can help reduce cravings
CBD use can also help reduce the anxiety-induced cravings responsible for two of the biggest health crisis in the US today: the obesity epidemic and the opium crisis.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, CBD helped reduce cue-triggered cravings, heart rate, and stress hormone levels among test subjects with opioid addiction.
Similar studies carried on heroin addicts by the Addiction Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine found that heroin users showed reduced signs of cravings in the presence of drug-related cues, even though they were tested a week after they last used CBD.
While the relaxing qualities of marijuana are well-known, CBD provides a much safer and effective way of relieving anxiety. And now, thanks to CBD s increased availability and legality, you might benefit from it as well.
References
- Harvard Medical School (2018, August 24) Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t
- Neuropsychopharmacology (2011) Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients
- Neurotherapeutics (2015, October) Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
- NPR (2018, April 23) Anxiety Relief Without The High? New Studies On CBD, A Cannabis Extract
- Scientific American (2019, May 21) Cannabis Compound Eases Anxiety and Cravings of Heroin Addiction
