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Stress is a natural process that gives us the best prospects of survival when confronted with harmful situations. But, in some cases, the stress response becomes uncontrollable as it interferes with your daily activities. Anxiety belongs to a broad spectrum of mental disorders that involves a deteriorating stress response. The resulting stress response may be too frequent, excessive, or can last for too long.
Fortunately, in recent years, CBD (cannabidiol) has been shown to offer widespread benefits toward anxiety symptoms. One of the non-psychoactive compounds in the cannabis plant, CBD can manage insomnia, muscle tension, and the underlying causes of anxiety itself. A variety of CBD products are available on the market, such as CBDMEDIC.
Let’s discuss why CBD is becoming popular as a natural treatment option for anxiety and how you can start using it to alleviate symptoms.
Anxiety and CBD
Anxiety is a normal and healthy emotion. Healthy anxiety is designed to protect our body from any harm. But it can get out of control and deplete our health. Disproportionately high levels of anxiety can pose serious issues for some people. Physical symptoms include a fast heart rate, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, shallow breathing, and muscle twitches. These symptoms are often termed “anxiety attacks.”
This is where CBD comes into play. Experts have thoroughly documented the therapeutic potential of CBD. It has been shown to manage the symptoms of many disorders, including anxiety effectively.
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CBD’s primary benefit is the alleviation of stress, reduced anxiety, depression, and an improvement in overall well-being. In conjunction with other therapies, such as counseling, CBD can be a great source of extra support to help manage your anxiety symptoms. According to research, CBD is helping with the following anxiety symptoms and conditions:
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Anxiety induced insomnia
- Social anxiety disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Moreover, one can easily incorporate CBD into their diets and lifestyle. One can also control their dosage as per their convenience.
How does CBD work for Anxiety?
CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for maintaining and regulating balance within body systems. It plays a significant role in various critical functions like immune responses, sleep, mood control, and many more. Good things happen once our body systems get balanced. Anxiety stems from the chemical imbalances in the body beyond your control, and finding a natural remedy can be a challenge. This is where CBD can work wonders.
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CBD is a 5-HT1A agonist. 5-HT1A is a serotonin receptor. Commonly used medication groups, such as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) for the treatment of anxiety, often target the 5-HT1A receptor. These drugs increase the brain’s activity to transport even more signals, reduce anxiety, and boost overall mood.
Similarly, CBD can boost signals to serotonin receptors. This increases the transmission of 5-HT1A and affects the mood even faster than SSRIs. Moreover, CBD doesn’t produce any unpleasant side effects associated with prescription medications.
What does the research say?
CBD is known to be an extremely safe natural product and very effective in treating anxiety. Here are a few studies that show potential anxiolytic effects of CBD:
- It was found to reduce general anxiety levels in those suffering from an anxiety disorder.
- CBD can reduce anxiety and discomfort during public speaking in people with a social anxiety disorder.
- Results of a review of 49 studies supported that CBD can be used as a treatment for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- A study revealed that CBD is effective against insomnia and generalized anxiety in 70-80% of participants.
- CBD has also shown to have anti-anxiety (anxiolytic), neuroprotective, and antipsychotic properties.
Although research is still underway, the results so far are encouraging.
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How to use CBD to treat Anxiety?
CBD may offer several benefits for the treatment of anxiety, but it’s essential to consider certain angles on how to use it. Here are some tips.
- Research your CBD product: The market is brimming with a variety of CBD products, and it is available in various dosage forms as per your need. Right from oils, capsules, tablets, tinctures to even gummies.
- Whatever you choose, ensure buying a certified product and have less than 0.3% THC.
- Start with a low dose: Always start with a low dose. If you have begun utilizing CBD oils, you can start with 1-2 drops a day before increasing. Watch out for any bodily changes.
- Keep a journal: Take notes in a journal when you take your CBD product. Write about how you’re feeling and keep track of any changes you might experience in your mood. This will help you understand how the product is working for your symptoms.
- Stay consistent: Make sure to keep your dose steady for better results. In doing so, your results will also be consistent and will effectively alleviate anxiety.
Conclusion
While there are many positive reports from people who’ve consumed CBD for the management of anxiety, this natural health supplement can be a promising solution for mental health issues. It can have a positive impact on your lifestyle if used correctly. Make sure to consult your doctor before starting it.