Overview
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally incannabis(marijuanaandhemp) plants. Early research is promising regarding the ability ofCBD oilto help relieveanxiety.
Unliketetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another type of cannabinoid, CBD doesn’t cause any feelings of intoxication or the “high” you may associate with cannabis.
Learn more about the potential benefits of CBD oil for anxiety, and whether it could be a treatment option for you.
The human body has many different receptors. Receptors are protein-based chemical structures that are attached to your cells. They receive signals from different stimuli.
CBD is thought to interact withCB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, respectively.
The exact way CBD affects CB1 receptors in the brain isn’t fully understood. However, it may alter serotonin signals.
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, plays an important role in your mental health. Low serotonin levels arecommonly associatedwith people who havedepression. In some cases, not having enough serotonin may also causeanxiety.
The conventional treatment for low serotonin is aselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such assertraline(Zoloft) orfluoxetine(Prozac). SSRIs are only available by prescription.
Some people with anxiety may be able tomanage their condition with CBDinstead of an SSRI. However, you should talk to your doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.
Several studies point to the potential benefits of CBD for anxiety.
For generalized anxiety
Forgeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD),
Study subjects were observed as having lower behavioral signs of anxiety. Their physiologicalsymptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, also improved.
More research needs to be done, specifically on humans and GAD.
For other forms of anxiety
CBD may also benefit people with other forms of anxiety, such associal anxiety disorder (SAD)andpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Itmay help treatanxiety-inducedinsomniaas well.
In 2011, astudyresearched CBD’s effects on people with SAD. Participants were given an oral dose of 400 milligrams (mg) of CBD or a placebo. Those who received CBD experienced overall reduced anxiety levels.
Multiplerecent studieshave shown that CBD can help with PTSD symptoms, such as having nightmares and replaying negative memories. These studies have looked at CBD as both a standalone PTSD treatment as well as a supplement to traditional treatments like medication andcognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
For other neurological disorders
CBD has also been studied in other neurological disorders.
A 2017literature reviewon CBD and psychiatric disorders concluded that there isn’t enough evidence to tout CBD as an effective treatment for depression.
The authors did find some evidence to suggest that CBD could help with anxiety disorders. However, these studies were uncontrolled. This means that the participants weren’t compared to a separate group (or “control”) that might have received a different treatment — or no treatment at all.
Based on their review, more human tests are needed to better understand how CBD works, what the ideal dosages should be, and if there are potential side effects or hazards.
A
If you’re interested in trying CBD oil for your anxiety, talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out a startingdosagethat’s right for you.
However, the nonprofitNational Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)does advise that very few commercially available products contain enough CBD to replicate the therapeutic effects seen in clinical trials.
In a2018 studyundergoi之前,男性受试者收到CBDng a simulated public speaking test. The researchers found that an oral dose of 300 mg, administered 90 minutes before the test, was enough to significantly reduce the speakers’ anxiety.
Members of the placebo group and study subjects who received 150 mg saw little benefit. The same was true for subjects who received 600 mg.
这项研究只看着57主题,这是small. More research, including studies that look at female subjects, is needed to determine the appropriate dosage for people with anxiety.
CBD is generally considered safe. However, some people who take CBD may experience someside effects, including:
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- changes in appetite
- changes in weight
CBD may alsointeract withother medications or dietary supplements you’re taking. Exercise particular caution if you take medications, such asblood thinners, that come with a “grapefruit warning.” CBD and grapefruit both interact withenzymesthat are important to drug metabolism.
Onestudyon mice found that being gavaged with, or force-fed, CBD-rich cannabis extract increased their risk for liver toxicity. However, some of the study mice had been given extremely large doses of CBD.
You shouldn’t stop taking any medications you’re already using without talking to your doctor first. Using CBD oil may help your anxiety, but you could also experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking your prescription medications.
Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- irritability
- dizziness
- nausea
- fogginess
Is CBD Legal?Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under somestate laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.
In some parts of the United States, CBD products are only allowed for specific medical purposes, such as the treatment ofepilepsy. You may need to get a license from your doctor to be able to purchase CBD oil.
If cannabis is approvedfor medical usein your state, you may be able to purchase CBD oil online or in special cannabis clinics and dispensaries.Check out this guide to 10 of the best CBD oils on the market.
As research on CBD continues, more states may consider the legalization of cannabis products, leading to wider availability.