The natural chemical cannabidiol, which is more commonly known as CBD, is found in hemp plants. Unlike the plant’s tetrahydrocannabinol, which causes users to get “high,” CBD does not cause any form of intoxication. But early research shows that CBD oil could be an effective treatment to combat anxiety.
CBD Oil Can Help You Sleep
People who suffer from anxiety often also have insomnia. Indeed, the two disorders are a bit of a Catch-22, as anxiety can lead to sleepless nights, and not getting enough sleep can cause more anxiety. In medical terms, when you get too little sleep, the deprivation acts like a chronic sensor that can impair your brain function and contribute to your body’s systems overloading. CBD oil can help combat anxiety. It regulates the stress hormone cortisol, which has a major impact on non-REM cycles of sleep. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, CBD helps to increase sleep quality and is beneficial for anxiety-related disorders.
When using CBD to help sleep issues, you need to vet the manufacturers because the federal government does not regulate the CBD industry. That does not mean there are not plenty of reputable manufacturers and excellent CBD products on the market, but you should do some research before purchasing CBD oil.
CBD Oil Could Help with General Anxiety Disorder
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, CBD has been shown to reduce stress in animals. Physiological symptoms of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate, were also improved. And another study published in The Permanente Journal reported 79% of human participants with anxiety experienced a notable reduction in their disorder after taking CBD. Therefore, it is believed that CBD can be an effective treatment for General Anxiety Disorder in humans, although more research needs to be done. What is known for sure is around 14% of Americans use CBD, and around 37% use it to treat anxiety.
CBD Oil Could Help Other Types of Anxiety Disorders
Other studies suggest CBD oil could be highly effective to combat anxiety, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder. According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, participants who were given a 400-milligram dose of CBD experienced an overall reduction in anxiety levels compared to those given a placebo. Multiple other research studies show that CBD can help with anxiety-related disorders, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with other treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.
How does CBD actually work?
Inside your body, you have lots of different receptors that receive signals from different stimuli. Scientists believe CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are mostly in your central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Although more research is needed, it is thought that CBD helps to alter the serotonin signals. Having low serotonin levels is well-known for causing depression and anxiety. Conventional treatments for low serotonin levels include SSRI prescription medications like Prozac and Zoloft. But more and more people are trying the natural alternative treatment of CBD oil to help their depression and anxiety.
What is the correct dosage of CBD oil?
If you are considering trying CBD oil, you will need to know how much to take. The best course of action is to talk to your doctor so that he or she can help you determine a dosage that is right for you. Most doctors recommend replicating doses given to participants in clinical trials. For example, a study published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry describes a man taking an oral dose of 300 milligrams 90 minutes before he had to speak in public, and the dosage was enough to help him combat anxiety.
