CBD is an active cannabinoid compound that is naturally found in the hemp and marijuana plants. Humans have been using cannabis plants to alleviate many health problems. It was only after the discovery of CBD in 1940, we came to know that the medicinal benefits of hemp and marijuana plants are due to the presence of cannabinoid compounds like CBD and THC in the plants.
Over the decades, CBD has undergone numerous studies and it was found that CBD possesses various therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiemetic properties, etc. which are very beneficial for treating many health problems that affect the human body.
However, many are still reluctant to use CBD. The main reason for this is because CBD comes from Cannabis Sativa. People fear that CBD has psychoactive properties but it is the presence of THC that gives cannabis its psychoactive properties. In fact, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound and therefore, it does not create any euphoric sensation on the user. So, CBD is very safe to consume at normal doses.We have already said that CBD can treat many of the health conditions that affect us. Let us take a look at the effect of CBD on the treatment of anxiety and related metal disorders.
Working Of CBD On Your Body
Through many studies over the years, we now know that there are many different types of receptors present in our bodies. These receptors are basically protein-based chemical structures and are attached to the cells. They receive many signals from different stimuli. CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are two different forms of receptors that can interact with CBD. The scientists are still trying to fully understand how exactly the CBD is interacting with CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
Some studies have found that the lower serotonin levels in your brain can cause many mental health disorders. The interaction of CBD with the CB1 cannabinoid receptors can help alter the serotonin signals in the brain and increase its production, thereby controlling the symptoms of many mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
Doctors usually prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) for treating low serotonin levels. However, it is not very effective in some people and people are looking for natural treatment options. Many of the studies on CBD are showing positive effects in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
What Does Research Say About CBD For Anxiety?
Over the past few years, numerous studies have looked into the effects of CBD in the treatment of different forms of anxiety disorders. Some animal studies have shown that the use of CBD helped in improving some of the behavioral symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. It was also observed that physiological symptoms like increased heart rate were also improved with the use of CBD.
CBD products also showed positive signs for the treatment of other anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. CBD is also very beneficial in alleviating insomnia induced by anxiety. The use of CBD will help you in improving your sleep quality.
A study conducted in the year 2011 looked at the effects of CBD on people suffering from social anxiety disorder. The participants of the study were given a daily dose of 400 mg of CBD orally or a placebo. Those who received CBD daily have shown a significant improvement in anxiety symptoms at the end of the study period.
Several studies around the world also looked at how CBD helps in managing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Most of the studies showed that using CBD can help in preventing nightmares and helps to reduce the replaying of traumatic memories. It is important to note that most of these studies looked at CBD as a standalone treatment option and also as a supplement to some of the traditional PTSD treatments.
CBD Side Effects
CBD is generally considered a very safe compound to consume. However, some of the users may experience side effects if they take CBD in very high doses. Diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, drowsiness, etc are some of the common side effects of using CBD in high doses.
Some recent studies revealed that CBD may also interact with some of the medications we use and may cause many negative effects on your body. Therefore, you need to check whether the CBD product you buy has a grapefruit warning on the label.
You need to talk with a health expert before you decide to take CBD for your health condition. A doctor can help in deciding the right dosage of consumption based on your body weight, method of consumption, and the health problem that you are suffering from.
You need to make sure that the CBD product you buy for anxiety treatment is of good quality, as there are some CBD products in the market that contains chemical ingredients and a low amount of CBD.