Anxiety is an incredibly common condition and it can take a toll on both physical and mental health. It is estimated that around 18% of Americans suffer from some form of anxiety, making it one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the US. While there are a variety of treatments available for anxiety, more and more evidence is emerging to suggest that CBD may be effective in relieving its symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at how cbd benefits to treat anxiety.
What Is CBD?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the many compounds found in marijuana plants. Unlike THC, which is another major component of marijuana, CBD does not cause any psychoactive effects or feelings of being “high.” Instead, it has been linked to potential therapeutic benefits including relief from chronic pain, inflammation, seizures, stress relief and even anxiety relief.
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. In recent years it has gained popularity for its potential health benefits, particularly its ability to reduce anxiety. But what does the research say? Is there really a role for CBD in anxiety relief? Let’s take a look at the emerging evidence.
Before we can talk about the evidence for CBD’s role in anxiety relief, it’s important to first understand what anxiety is and how it affects people. Anxiety is an umbrella term for a wide range of feelings and behaviors that are experienced when someone feels threatened or uncertain about something. It can manifest itself as physical symptoms like increased heart rate and sweating, as well as mental symptoms like worry and fear.
How Does CBD Relieve Anxiety?
The exact mechanism by which CBD relieves anxiety remains unknown but research suggests that it could have something to do with its ability to interact with receptors found in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps regulate various bodily functions such as appetite, sleep cycles and mood regulation. Studies suggest that by stimulating these receptors with CBD, it can produce a calming effect on the body which helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
In addition to this direct action on the ECS receptors, some studies also suggest that CBD could potentially help relieve symptoms associated with depression and other forms of mental illness due its ability to induce neurogenesis—the formation of new neurons in the brain—which helps improve cognitive function as well as mood regulation.
Another potential mechanism by which CBD could provide relief from anxiety is through its interaction with serotonin receptors—the same ones targeted by traditional antidepressants like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). By binding to these receptors, CBD appears to increase serotonin levels which can help reduce feelings of nervousness or fear often associated with anxiety disorders.
Conclusion:
Overall, there appears to be strong evidence suggesting that taking CBD oil may be beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety-related conditions. Although further research needs to be done before we can definitively say how effective it is as an anxiolytic agent, preliminary studies suggest that its efficacy should not be underestimated. Of course, talking to your doctor before taking any kind of supplement or medication—especially if you’re already taking medications for other conditions—is always recommended just in case there are any potential interactions or side effects you should be aware of before starting treatment. That said, there’s no denying that the emerging evidence regarding CBD’s role in helping manage symptoms related to anxiety disorders looks very promising indeed!