Do CBD Gummies Actually Help With Anxiety?

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CBD is a popular herbal remedy, with consumer anecdotes supporting its effectiveness in promoting overall wellness and managing various health conditions. Although it is available in multiple consumable forms, CBD gummies are the most popular products; one report estimates the global CBD industry’s market value at $US1.64 billion.

Although cannabis consumers take CBD gummies for various reasons, one statistical survey highlights anxiety relief as the primary reason for taking the gummies. So, can CBD gummies alleviate anxiety symptoms, or are they overrated placebos? Keep reading to learn more about what research says about CBD gummies’ efficacy in inducing anxiety relief.

What Are CBD Gummies?

CBD is the primary non-psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant and occurs predominantly in the hemp subspecies of the cannabis plant. Therefore, CBD gummies are edible treats infused with hemp-derived CBD extract. The gummies are available in various flavor options and CBD concentrations to suit diverse consumer preferences and tolerances.

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, it is federally legal to cultivate, process, and consume hemp products. Unlike delta-9 THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, and psychoactive hemp products like candy delta 8, CBD will not make you “high” and is federally legal due to its low potential for abuse.

However, although CBD products are federally legal, the FDA disapproves CBD gummies as a primary treatment for anxiety or other illnesses. Nonetheless, most US state laws on cannabis include medical marijuana programs, allowing individuals access to CBD gummies as an ancillary therapy.

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CBD Gummies Mechanism of Action

CBD’s capacity to function as a therapeutic agent arises from its being an exogenous cannabinoid. According to one literature review, exogenous cannabinoids are cannabinoid compounds that occur in plants rather than in the body.

On the other hand, endogenous cannabinoids, primarily anandamide, occur in almost all mammalian tissues. Anandamide interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to create a state of homeostasis or balance. Homeostasis maintains the ideal conditions for enzymes and hormones to function in the cell.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an elaborate signaling system facilitating the transmission of signal impulses from the nervous system to the brain. The ECS has a network of receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors) that modulate signal transmission by amplifying or quelling signals, depending on the type of action that will induce homeostasis.

According to one literature review, anandamide was the first endogenous cannabinoid that scientists discovered when they were researching the brain’s analog for the cannabinoid in marijuana. They later established that exogenous cannabinoids like CBD utilize the exact mechanism of action as anandamide.

Therefore, CBD interacts with ECS receptors to modulate various body functions, including regulating cortisol levels; cortisol is the primary hormone produced during stressful situations and anxiety episodes. However, unlike cannabinoids like anandamide and delta-9 THC, CBD does not bind directly to the ECS receptors to induce its therapeutic effects.

Exogenous cannabinoids that bind directly to ECS receptors, particularly the ECS receptors occurring in higher concentrations in the brain, induce psychoactivity. Although researchers have yet to establish how CBD activates ECS receptors without demonstrating affinity to them, they agree that the lack of binding affinity is the reason behind CNBD’s non-psychoactive characteristic.

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Do CBD Gummies Alleviate Anxiety

The information above on CBD’s mechanism of action demonstrates the cannabinoid’s apparent therapeutic potential. However, while anecdotes from CBD users suggest that CBD gummies effectively alleviate stress, what does science say? Below is an overview of science-backed evidence regarding the relationship between CBD and anxiety.

Anxiety is a state of mind characterized by a constant overwhelming feeling of worry or fear.  It has multiple causes, including excessive stress from everyday activities, trauma, and genetics.

According to one expert review, anxiety-related mental health conditions include social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Below is an overview of the available research on  CBD’s efficacy in managing each condition.

One pre-clinical study on CBD’s effect as a potent treatment for anxiety disorders established compelling evidence that the cannabinoid supports treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, and PTSD. The study established that a clinical CBD dose alleviates anxiety disorders but recommends further studies for populations with chronic anxiety disorders.

Second, a study on CBD and PTSD, conducted in 2019, showed that an oral CBD dose taken as an ancillary treatment alongside routine psychiatric care improved PTSD symptoms. The study included 11 patients diagnosed with PTSD; all 11 showed improvement from their baseline results after eight weeks, and none reported undesirable side effects.

Third, a 2019 case study on CBD for anxiety conducted among 72 adults showed that anxiety scores decreased among 79.2% of the participants. Therefore, ample research supports the efficacy of CBD products, including CBD gummies, in alleviating anxiety symptoms.

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How Many CBD Gummies Should I Take For Anxiety?

The CBD gummies industry is highly unregulated because the FDA does not regulate CBD products. Therefore, different CBDgummy brands have varying CBD concentrations per gummy, making a standardized dosage challenging.

Second, People have different anxiety levels and CBD tolerance levels. Therefore, start on a low CBD dose and go slow.

Conclusion:

Multiple studies support CBD’s efficacy in alleviating everyday anxiety. However, anxiety is a severe health condition, so consult a doctor before using CBD to treat anxiety, especially if you have an anxiety diagnosis.