By: Matthew Morrow
Does CBD for anxiety work?
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is a cannabinoid extracted from plants of the Cannabis sativa species. CBD has a wide variety of proposed uses.
Some backed by scientific evidence, and others merely anecdotal. Some of the reported CBD benefits derived from both of these camps include:
- Insomnia Relief
- Stress and Anxiety Relief
- Pain and Inflammation Relief
- Muscle and Nerve Spasm Relief
- Seizure Reduction (in some instances of epilepsy)
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Considering how common some of these conditions are, lots of people wonder whether there is any merit to CBD’s healing properties.
Anxiety is particularly prevalent since estimates show that nearly 20% of Americans have diagnosable anxiety disorders, and even more report undiagnosed anxiety concerns.
Here, we explore the science behind using CBD for anxiety and review what the evidence at large has to say about using its effectiveness.
Does CBD for anxiety work?
Anxiety is a natural response the body makes to adapt to situations that threaten its survival.
For many, this automatic stress response persists throughout the day, even during safe situations and can be challenging to shut down.
In these cases, finding ways to calm down like yoga, meditation, and exercise become essential.
However, for some, the anxiety builds up and leads to debilitating symptoms and disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.)
Can CBD help to stop the persistence of these stress responses?
The existing evidence is promising, although very scarce. Several small studies illustrated that CBD had the following observed effects:
-CBD reduced anxiety overall and during public speaking for those with social anxiety disorders.
-CBD reduced anxiety and improved sleep in the majority of people using it for general anxiety.
Despite this, researchers are uncomfortable making definitive statements about using CBD for anxiety without a large pool of evidence to reference.
Experts admit that the current research indicates that CBD may be beneficial for those with anxiety-related conditions.
Unfortunately, the FDA has not approved it for anxiety, and there is not a great deal of active research on the topic.
Regardless of the scientific evidence, there are widespread anecdotal reports by individuals who swear by CBD for anxiety.
Considering the substance is pretty safe to use and is not addicting, there are very few downsides to giving it a try for anxiety.
Like most things in life, there is no miracle cure or quick fix for anxiety.
A combination of CBD with other things like healthy lifestyle changes (e.g., clean diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep) will likely yield the best results.
Why does CBD for anxiety work?
In medicine, the first line and most trusted treatment option for anxiety is a drug that increases the amount of serotonin in the body.
These drugs are relatively common and are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs for short.
Serotonin is a naturally occurring chemical in our bodies that regulates mood, sleep, digestion, and behavior.
It’s no surprise then that substances that increase our serotonin levels are helpful for things like anxiety and better sleep.
CBD interacts with specific receptors in our body that control serotonin levels, but it also has activity with several other receptors known to regulate fear and anxiety.
For example, the conventional anti-anxiety medication Buspirone (sold under names like Buspar), targets the same receptor as CBD.
Both products act as an agonist that is synergistic with a serotonin receptor called 5-HT1A.
In addition to acting on this serotonin receptor, CBD has direct and indirect effects on other vital receptors like cannabinoid receptors in the nervous and immune systems.
How to use CBD for anxiety
Importantly, evidence shows that CBD has a bell-shaped response curve. As illustrated by the graph below, the optimal dose of CBD products for anxiety will be at medium doses.
This guideline, of course, depends on the specific product used. Ultimately, it represents a general rule of thumb to use if you are unsure.
Photo by Matthew Morrow
Although increasing your dose is unlikely to make CBD any more effective, it is also essential to be aware of these products’ side effect profile. Side effects of CBD, although rare and generally mild, can include:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Reduced Appetite
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
The good news is that studies show that CBD is not addictive and does not have the same habit-forming effects as other drugs of abuse.
Once you find the right dose, there is little incentive to continue increasing that dose.
The exact dosing in milligrams needed for each individual may depend on what you are using it for, so a little trial and error can go a long way.
In terms of the types of products that might be best for people with anxiety, they include:
The great thing about the CBD market today is that there are endless varieties of unique products and combination products.
For example, if using CBD to ease anxiety at nighttime for better sleep, there are combination chamomile and CBD teas.
If using CBD for extra calm during a busy day of work or studying, there are energy drinks that combine natural sources of caffeine with CBD.
Conclusion
CBD has hit its stride in popularity with the general public during the last couple of years.
Although there is a drought of evidence to support its use for things like anxiety and sleep, there are very few downsides to giving it a try or supplementing your current relaxation methods with CBD.
Even more, CBD is available in a wide variety of fun and tasty products, making it easy and convenient to mix into your routine.
Until more definitive evidence becomes available, the only way to find out if CBD works for your anxiety is by giving it a shot.
Disclaimer: It is always best to check in with your medical provider before initiating the use of cannabis products. The information on this page does not represent medical advice.
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Matthew Morrow is a writer who focuses on health and wellness.