There are so many cannabinoids gotten from cannabis that are out there in the market. These cannabinoids, CBC, CBD, CBN, CBG, THC, all have different health benefits for the body. In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD) oil has become a widely favored remedy for anxiety. While some individuals take CBD oil to soothe their everyday worries, others use it to treat more serious conditions like generalized anxiety disorder.
This makes CBD the best cannabinoid for anxiety in all its forms. Let’s examine how CBD oil effects and proffer solutions for anxiety disorder.
What Is CBD?
CBD (short for cannabidiol) is one of over 200 chemical compounds that we know as cannabinoids that you can find in cannabis. It is the second most prevalent active compound in cannabis, behind THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the compound in cannabis that has psychoactive properties and gives people a high.
Cannabis is a plant, and there are two main types, Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa. Both marijuana and CBD can be from both types, but hemp is only from Cannabis Sativa. By law, the hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC (the oil in marijuana that gives you a high) to be hemp, otherwise, growers are at risk of prosecution under federal law. Hemp is a great resource for making 100% biodegradable, environmentally friendly products such as clothing, packaging, biofuel, building materials, and paper.
CBD derived from hemp contains no more than 0.3% THC and is legal federally but still illegal under some state laws. Cannabis-derived CBD products, on the other hand, are illegal federally but legal under some state laws.
Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive properties and will not give you a “high”. There is no evidence it has any abuse or dependence potential and to date, there is no evidence that it is associated with any serious side effects, according to the World Health Organization.
Instead, CBD receives credit for relieving numerous medical conditions, such as epilepsy, anxiety, inflammation, insomnia, and pain. Although “credited” does not mean proven. Because of the historical regulatory landscape, there are hardly any well-conducted trials backing up those claims, although research is expected to ramp up now that laws distinguish between hemp and marijuana.
How Does CBD Work For Anxiety Disorder?
The most common mental illness in the U.S., anxiety disorders affect more than 18 percent of the population each year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Although anxiety disorders are generally treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two, many people opt to forgo these standard approaches and self-treat with products like CBD oil.
According to a survey in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in 2018, almost 62 percent of cannabidiol users report that they use CBD to treat a medical condition, with the top three conditions being a pain, anxiety, and depression.
Due to a lack of research, scientists aren’t sure how CBD oil might help treat issues like anxiety. Some research suggests that in addition to impacting the endocannabinoid system, the cannabidiol may influence receptors involved in the modulation of serotonin (a chemical messenger thought to play a role in anxiety regulation).
Research
So far, most of the evidence for CBD’s effects on anxiety comes from animal studies and laboratory experiments.
For a report published in the journal Neurotherapeutics in 2015, scientists analyzed this preliminary research and found that CBD oil shows promise in the acute treatment of conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Social Anxiety Study
While there’s currently a lack of large-scale clinical trials testing the use of CBD oil in the treatment of anxiety, a small study published in Neuropsychopharmacology in 2011 determined that CBD may help alleviate social anxiety.
For this study, 24 people with social anxiety disorder received either 600 milligrams (mg) of CBD or a placebo an hour and a half before performing a simulated public speaking test. Additionally, 12 other people with social anxiety disorder performed the same test without receiving any CBD treatment.
Results revealed that pre-treatment with CBD significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort while participants were delivering their speech.
Dose-Response Study
The anxiety-reducing effect of CBD may follow a bell-shaped dose-response curve, suggests a study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. Researchers administer different dosages of CBD before a public speaking test. They found that subjective anxiety measures were lowered with the 300 mg CBD dose. But not with the 100 or 900 mg CBD dosages.
Paranoid Trait Study
Another study was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2018. It tests the effects of cannabidiol in people with high paranoid traits. They found that cannabidiol had no impact on anxiety, cortisol levels, and heart rate. The list also includes systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading), and persecutory ideation.
Anxiety In Healthy Participants Study
Cannabidiol did not reduce responses to negative emotional stimuli or reduce anxiety in healthy participants. This is according to a study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in 2017. Researchers test participants’ responses to negative images or words. They also test threatening emotional faces and sensitivity to social rejection after taking oral cannabidiol.
Possible Side Effects of Best Cannabinoid for Anxiety
Using CBD oil may cause several side effects, including anxiety. Some research indicates that CBD oil may also trigger the following side effects:
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in mood
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Cannabidiol slightly increases heart rate at a dose of 900 mg. In addition, there’s some evidence that the use of CBD oil may lead to increased levels of liver enzymes.
CBD oil may also interact with several medications, including benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, antihistamines, and some types of anti-epileptic drugs. If you are on any of these types of medications, consult your doctor before using CBD oil.
A research review found this in the treatment of certain types of refractory epilepsy. Participants used lower dosages when using a CBD-rich extract compared to purified CBD products. They found adverse effects were less frequent in those using CBD-rich extracts.
