Can CBD oil reduce anxiety?
The answer to this question is: possibly.
Many patients have had benefits for anxiety and sleep but there are still no randomized controlled clinical trials comparing CBD oil against placebo for specific anxiety disorders such as OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) or Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Anxiety VS Stress
All of us have commented more than once that something stresses us out or causes us anxiety. Although we often use them as synonyms, these terms do not mean exactly the same thing. Stress is a physiological reaction to a change in our environment or in our body. Our brain detects that something has changed and prepares the body to cope with that change. In principle, it is a normal and necessary response and if the body’s response is adequate, then nothing happens. The problem comes when the body’s response is disproportionate. Stress is often associated with fatigue and exhaustion.
On the other hand, anxiety is an unpleasant emotion that arises in the face of a possible threat. Stress is one of the most common causes of anxiety and, at the same time, high anxiety generates stress.
Effects of Cannabinoids on Anxiety
The idea that the endocannabinoid system could play a role in the control of anxiety is based on the fact that many people who use hemp for recreational purposes do so mainly for its euphoriant and relaxing effects, accompanied by a decrease in anxiety and an increase in sociability.
However, there are people for whom hemp abuse can cause anxiety and panic. This biphasic effect of cannabinoids has been seen in both animal models and humans. The cannabinoid receptor CB1 is involved in the stress and anxiety response. Studies in animal models have indicated that a decrease in the activity of this receptor is involved in the anxiogenic response, whereas its activation attenuates the negative effects of stress.
Most research in both humans and animal models shows that low and infrequent doses of hemp can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, whereas chronic use of large amounts, especially of THC, has the opposite effect and may contribute to the development of anxiety.
Among the various cannabinoids that have been tested, CBD, which does not activate either CB1 or CB2 receptors, is one of those that has shown the most promise for the treatment of anxiety, both in animal models and in humans. A single dose of CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety in people subjected to various tests. Notably, high doses of CBD administered in models of general anxiety have not been found to cause anxiogenic effects, as THC does.
Studies and clinical cases
Despite the accumulated preclinical evidence and some trials conducted with acute doses of CBD, more randomized clinical trials, with chronic treatments and not with single doses, are still needed to see if CBD has therapeutic potential in cases of pathological anxiety. It is still too early to say that CBD is ideal for chronic anxiety.
Although it is safe and does not generate addiction, precautions should be taken because CBD could have interactions with medication that people with anxiety disorders are taking, so it is not advisable to self-medicate without consulting a doctor.
For cases of stress or mild anxiety, it seems that CBD could be an effective aid to reduce the symptoms associated with these situations.
How to take CBD oil in cases of mild anxiety
Although, as we said, studies and trials are still lacking for a definitive confirmation of CBD as an effective remedy in cases of severe or chronic anxiety, there is enough evidence to consider CBD oil as a potential aid for cases of mild or occasional anxiety.
The recommendation of consumption depends on the degree or intensity of anxiety, the physiological conditions of each person, such as their particular weight or metabolism, and the concentration of CBD in the oil in question.
As a general rule, it is usually recommended a dose of 3 to 5 drops once or twice a day, preferably morning or evening, for a first contact with CBD. From here on, and depending on the effect on each person, the number of drops or the frequency will be increased or reduced. Ideally, the drops should be placed under the tongue, waiting a couple of minutes before swallowing, so that it can be absorbed correctly by the organism.
It is worth mentioning that the Spanish regulation does not recommend the ingested use of CBD, but in countries like Canada or some states of the United States, for example, with much greater development in everything related to the world of hemp and CBD, this use is widely approved, tested and recommended.
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