Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in the United States. It affects 40 million adults over 18 years of age every year. That is roughly 18% of the entire population.
Various types of anxiety disorders vary according to the situations that cause them, but they all share similar features. Anxiety disorders can be crippling and can adversely affect daily activities such as job performance, academics, and relationships.
Though anxiety disorders can be effectively treated with a range of therapies and medication, only about 36% of those who suffer receive treatment. Sometimes, people do not have sufficient information related to the condition to encourage them to seek help. On the other hand, many people shy away from getting treatment for anxiety because of the deeply-entrenched stigma attached to mental illnesses.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has been used effectively to treat anxiety and various other conditions. Studies have shown that many subjects report significant improvements in the overall quality of life after just weeks of treatment with CBD. Many customized wellness plans offer CBD treatment for stress and sleep disorders tailored to the individual’s exact needs.
That being said, let’s delve deeper into the world of cannabidiol (CBD) and its uses in treating various anxiety disorders.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid chemical that occurs naturally in cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plants.
As one of the cannabinoids, CBD has undergone the most extensive research for its medicinal benefits. Another well-known cannabinoid compound derived from cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as it is widely known.
THC is the ingredient that provides the ‘high’ associated with cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t offer intoxication and instead is known to impart strong pharmacological effects.
These two cannabinoids are just two of over 540 chemical compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant.
How Does CBD Work?
There are various receptors in the human body. Receptors are chemical structures composed of protein attached to the cells in your body. They receive and transduce signals from different stimuli.
CBD is understood to interact with receptors CB1, and CB2 found in the central and peripheral nervous system, respectively.
It is not completely proven how CBD affects CB1 receptors in the brain. However, it could affect serotonin signals.
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, has an important role in your mental health. People with depression have been found to have low levels of serotonin. Insufficient serotonin levels can also cause anxiety in certain cases.
Traditionally, the treatment for low serotonin levels is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) which are prescription drugs.
However, some people with anxiety find that they can use CBD to manage their condition instead of SSRI. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before bringing any changes to your treatment plan.
Research And Evidence
The legalization of medical marijuana in the U.S. has led to many scientists researching the countless therapeutic uses of cannabis and CBD.
Many studies have focused on whether CBD can alleviate anxiety disorders and depression.
In The Cases Of Generalized Anxiety
Trials of CBD on laboratory rats have shown a significant reduction in stress levels for generalized anxiety disorder.
The subjects were also observed to have lower behavioral signs of anxiety. They also showed improvement in physiological symptoms of anxiety, like slower heart rate.
However, more research is required, specifically on the effects of CBD on anxiety in humans and GAD.
For Other Types Of Anxiety
CBD has also shown beneficial effects on other forms of anxiety, like social anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as anxiety-related insomnia.
In a study researching the effect of CBD on people with SAD, participants who received CBD showed reduced anxiety levels overall compared to those given a placebo.
Final Thoughts
As a treatment for anxiety and other disorders, CBD has seen growing acceptance. With more and more states opting for the legalization of medical cannabis, new studies are emerging that show the positive results of CBD in the treatment of anxiety disorders. If you wish to try out customized wellness plans for stress/ sleep disorders, you take the assessment here.
