A major segment of the American population are afflicted with anxiety-related disorders. Affecting approximately 18% of adults aged 18 and above and about 25% of teens and preteens, anxiety is the most common mental health concern in the nation.
Pharmaceutical companies have developed various drugs to alleviate anxiety-related disorders, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft and Prozac. Then there are also tranquilizers, the most popular kind being benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium.
These drugs can be effective in easing anxiety for many, but some patients do not respond favorably. They either fail to see significant improvement or they find that they can’t bear the side effects. The fact that it can be easy for patients to be addicted or dependent on tranquilizers is also a cause of concern.
The lack of improvement and the side effects some patients experience prompted the search for alternative treatments to anxiety. Researchers and independent organizations started to look into cannabidiol (CBD) and its positive effects on people experiencing anxiety or anxiety-related disorders.
Research on CBD, a prominent, non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, is still in its infancy. Yet, the evidence that CBD offers some degree of relief to individuals suffering from anxiety is growing. In fact, we have discussed previously how CBD can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. In this article, we will take a deeper look at what CBD is and how it may help ease anxiety. We will explore the possibility of whether CBD oil can make a viable alternative to anxiety medications.
First Things First: What Makes CBD Different from “Weed”?
You may have heard of medical marijuana and its positive effects on people who have anxiety. You may be curious about whether it actually works, but are apprehensive about giving it a try because in your mind, “It’s still weed, I can still get high.”
That’s not entirely accurate. It’s true that cannabidiol is a cannabinoid compound found in marijuana and hemp. However, it lacks THC or the mind-altering compound that triggers the psychoactive “high” people experience after smoking or ingesting recreational marijuana.
It’s common for people to mistake hemp for marijuana. While they’re both parts of the Cannabis, marijuana contains high levels of THC, while hemp contains low levels of the compound.
In easing anxiety, it may benefit the patient to try CBD oil, a concentrated version of the cannabidiol compound. CBD oil usually has little or no THC, allowing you to experience its anti-anxiety properties minus the high.
CBD Against Inflammation and Anxiety
Chronic, low-level inflammation is often linked to various diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases, among many others. But it’s rarely associated with cognitive health issues such as anxiety, depression, autism, ADD, ADHD, and brain fog.
A whole field of research known as the cytokine model of cognitive function attempts to reveal the link between inflammation and cognitive issues. The model looks into how inflammation messes with the brain, consequently causing anxiety disorders. The study notes that people with anxiety have increased levels of NF kappa B (NF-kB), a known inflammatory bad guy. On the other hand, individuals with lower levels of NF-kB often have lower tendencies to develop anxiety.
CBD is an anti-inflammatory compound that works to alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Studies reveal that CBD is a natural anxiolytic or anxiety calmer. It may be effective for people looking to remedy social anxiety, but without the side effects usually associated with pharmaceutical anti-anxiety medications.
On top of fighting inflammation, studies also suggest that CBD may reduce anxiety by directly affecting the parts of the brain involved in anxiety. The compound decreases activity in the amygdala as it increases activity in the prefrontal cortex.
Scientific evidence also suggests that CBD can facilitate the activation of hippocampus neurogenesis. In simpler terms, it can assist in the regeneration of new neurons.
CBD for Anxiety: What Experts Say
CBD has gained traction in recent years due to the growing number of evidence suggesting its ability to exert certain activities in the brain that keep symptoms of anxiety at bay. When administered acutely or “as needed”, CBD may be effective in treating a number of anxiety-related disorders, including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Mild to Moderate Depression
- Social Phobia
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Organizations such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse also set out to look into the effects of CBD on anxiety. The agency conducted a separate study and found that CBD has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in various animal models of stress and anxiety. CBD, they found, has helped reduce both physiological and behavioral measures of stress and anxiety.
Note, however, that despite scientific evidence for CBD’s ability to lift the mood, dampen psychosis, and quell anxiety in general, the final analysis is still patchy as of late. This is because, for one, the tests were done using moderate amounts of CBD. Researchers have not delved into the effects of CBD when used in liberal amounts. Two, most reports describing the effects of CBD are preclinical and based on studies of animals, and animal studies do not always yield results that translate accurately into human therapies.
We encourage individuals who are interested to learn about managing anxiety through CBD oil to look specifically at research on cannabidiol, instead of generalized studies on medical marijuana. You may find that while there are fewer studies that exclusively tackle cannabidiol, the preliminary research on the subject shows a lot of promise.
As researchers gain new insights into the cause of anxiety, the development of more effective CBD treatment options may also advance.
The Go-To for Quality CBD Products
Find relief from anxiety with help from Progressive Herb. We are a preferred provider of CBD oil in Illinois. As we create pure, natural products using our proprietary extraction process, you can count on the efficacy of our products when it comes to calming the nerves and relieving symptoms of anxiety.
Progressive Herb also ends your search for the best Illinois vape shop for CBD oil. We carry quality vape oils in various flavors including citrus, mint, and kush.
Choose from our selection of salves, ointments, vape oils, and CBD oils in Illinois. View our catalog or call us at 1-847-867-4349 today.
