Effects of CBD on Anxiety
What is CBD?
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of the many components found in the marijuana/hemp plant. Its popularity arises from its non-psychoactive properties. This means that using CBD will not get you “high,” nor will it result in a failed drug test (the only way you could possibly fail a drug test is if you drink unreasonable amounts). The product is completely legal, even on a federal level, when the product contains less than .3% THC. THC, of course, is the component responsible for the psychoactive effects.
This is a gray area in the US, but is evolving into a much more friendly environment for CBD users. Even recently, the FDA had a hearing over CBD from over 100 testimonials. This hearing provided the FDA with a chance of being educated on the possible benefits that CBD has on certain ailments. During the ten-hour hearing, people most commonly vouched for its anxiolytic properties. CBD has been shown to help with many other things such as hypertension, diabetes, and even kidney disease. Hemp has had a long-standing nutritional benefit as well (Callaway, 2004).
Regardless, the Farm Bill that passed in 2018 allows farmers to sell hemp as a cash crop, meaning legal CBD (derived from hemp only) will be a much more common product.
Research is continuous with CBD, and it’s safe to say that it could make a spot in certain drugs, but the main concern is the little to no regulation that is happening in the market. This means that there is no guaranteed way, for both consumers and banks, to know if the product contains less than .3% THC. This is why you see people in the news being arrested at airports for trying to fly with a CBD product. There is no way for government officials to know if it abides by the .3% law, as such, it needs to be taken away and tested. Credible brands will only take on products that are tested.
What is Anxiety?
Through its many forms, anxiety has symptoms that pertain to all of them. In this state of mind, decisions become irrational, as well as thoughts. As per the American Psychological Association, “Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure” (American Psychological Association, 2018).
Intrusive thoughts, irrational concerns, and just outright unwavering stresses. Some of the symptoms:
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Increased blood pressure
- Nausea (American Psychological Association, 2018).
These symptoms can last for different amounts of time depending on the situation and severity of stress.
Depending on the types of anxiety:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Seasonal anxiety disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder(GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Phobia (The MNT Editorial Team, 2017)
These types of anxieties, unfortunately, do not have a “one” treatment. For PTSD, more than just medication is needed.
- Psychotherapy
- Medications:
- Antidepressants
- Anti-Anxiety Drugs
These are traditional routes of treatment when concerning anxiety disorders, but exciting new research is suggesting that CBD could be a primary factor in treating anxiety. Some even suggest that it can help immensely with opiate addiction.
Why Try CBD?
In young adolescents and adults, prescription drugs for anxiety have shown a drastic increase in mortality rates within seven years of usage. These drugs can damage the liver, and even fail in treating anxiety. The age-adjusted hazard ratio for mortality during the whole follow-up period for use of any study drug in the first year after recruitment was 3.46 (95% confidence interval 3.34 to 3.59) and 3.32 (3.19 to 3.45) after adjusting for other potential confounders (Scott Weich, et al. 2014).
Many people turn to CBD to avoid harder prescription drugs, as research shows that there aren’t critical side effects. CBD side effects can, however, include drowsiness, as it can induce sleep.
The Science
CBD and other cannabinoids for that matter are processed in what is known as the endocannabinoids system (ENS), This is a part of our central nervous system, and has been found in more than just humans. Dogs even have a center specifically for metabolizing cannabinoids.
The ENS has what is called CB1 and CB2 receptors. These bind to the cannabinoids and use them for monitoring of the body. This is helpful when it comes to neurotransmitters failing to give off a needed amount. For example, a lack of dopamine can cause an array of problems. And recent research is showing how CBD can monitor and even adjust these levels of neurotransmitters (Pacher, et al., 2006). For blood pressure, kidney failure, and even epilepsy, CBD could be a potential treatment.
As far as anxiety goes, there is no end in research. For starters, a lack of sleep in a primary issue with people who have anxiety disorders. PTSD victims have frequent night terrors that can disturb sleep. CBD endorses restorative qualities in animal investigations conducted by experts on tension and anxiety by improving the behavioral and physiological parameters. Additionally, CBD showed restraint in tension and anxiety in people with social mood disorders, even while taking part in a distressing public appearing tasks. Diverse studies recommend that CBD can empower individuals to overlook damaging traumatizing memories. The anxiolytic beneficial points of CBD give an impression of being regulated by 5-HT1A (serotonin) receptors, although the exact mechanism is still unclear. (ANXIETY HACK, 2018).
Esther M. Blessing, et al., has found that certain doses can even prevent future anxiety attacks. CBD contains a large number of important nutrients including vitamin and mineral boost to enhance the routine activities of a person. It contains Omega 6 and Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B1, B2, B3, and B6. That is the reason CBD has excellent nutritional worth around the globe (Conrad, 1997). CBD has anti-inflammatory effects on the body, and it also decreases the anxiety related to various conditions. (Burstein, 2015).
CBD and Social Anxiety Disorder
The characterizing feature of social anxiety disorder is a fear of being judged, negatively assessed, or rejected in a social circumstance. Individuals with a social anxiety disorder may stress overacting or showing up noticeably anxious (such as stumbling over words and blushing). This is a normal feeling for people, but if the condition is severe enough, and it impedes on day to day actions, then there is an issue. Regularly avoiding social circumstances is unhealthy, and when a circumstance cannot be avoided, they encounter significant distress and anxiety. Numerous individuals with social anxiety disorder experience solid physical symptoms, such as nausea, a rapid heart rate, and sweating, and may also encounter full-blown attacks while confronting a feared situation. Even though they know that their fear is unreasonable and excessive, individuals with social anxiety disorder feel powerless against their anxiety. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2018). A study reported that CBD is helpful in eradicating anxiety with the disorder (Derenusson, Ferrari, Wichert-Ana, & Martin-Santos, 2011). It is also suggested that CBD have anxiolytic characteristics in different cases. An investigation was conducted to assess the effect of CBD on the regional cerebral blood flow. It concluded that CBD possesses anxiolytic properties that make it highly beneficial for the people (de Souza Crippa, Zuardi, Garrido, Wichert-Ana, & Ferrari, 2004). A 2011 study also recommended that CBD could lower social anxiety. For that investigation, experts looked particularly at CBD to treat anxiety related to public speaking.CBD and Depression
It is a similar situation when it comes to anxiolytic drugs as well as antidepressants. People try to stay away from these as these should be the last option regardless. The health issues brought on by them aren’t ideal for everyone, so people have been turning to CBD for this as well. Receptor (5-HT1A) joins CBD induced with an antidepressant effect, and increased levels of glutamate which is why medical marijuana (CBD too) are termed to be a fast-acting antidepressant in the medical field (Linge, Jimenez-Sanchez, Campa, Pilar-Cuellar, & Vidal, 2016).
CBD and PTSD
As said before, PTSD victims have frequent issues with sleep. And even though CBD has been established to help with insomnia as well as night terrors, the anxiety is still prevalent.
PTSD is a psychological complication that is induced by terrifying events, either by witnessing them or by experiencing them (Van der Kolk, 2002). More or less, everybody encounters some sort of reactions after a traumatic event. People tend to overcome such circumstances with time. This inability to overcome the trauma is known as PTSD. An examination proposed that CBD can cure veterans with PTSD in combination with therapy. (Rosenheck & Fontana, 2007).
PTSD can lead to severe depression. CBD has antidepressant effects on individuals with PTSD experiencing depression (Passie, Emrich, Karst, Brandt, & Halpern, 2012). At the point when a patient is discouraged and depressed after they are diagnosed with a chronic disease, CBD is exceptionally compelling for them so they can accentuate and focus on their treatment without depression and stress. CBD is completely safe and effective for patients who have PTSD (Roitman, Mechoulam, Cooper-Kazaz, & Shalev, 2014).
Other Anxiety Disorders
Seasonal anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, and even age anxiety have all been supported by CBD. Such research is confidently expressing its potential in treating sufferers. Students with anxiety have turned to CBD for help, and especially the elderly. Numerous individuals around the world experience age-related diseases. It has been noted that around 92% of older citizens have at least one chronic disorder, and 77 percent have two. Statistics show that the elderly typically have anxiety disorders, dementia, and depression – that are expected to double by 2030. Old age individuals require such medications that have fewer side effects.
Conclusion
CBD has proven to be an excellent component derived from hemp/cannabis. This component is proving to be a stable option for medical professionals, and even some are recommending it to their patients as a streamlined approach. This is by no means a “super drug” to cure all problems. In fact, no credible researchers will claim CBD to be a cure to anything, but it’s certainly gaining a name for itself in the medical field. Being an anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and much more. More and more research is being done daily, so be sure to stay updated here!
Resources
American Psychological Association. (2018). Anxiety. Retrieved from American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2018). Social Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder
ANXIETY HACK. (2018, February 6). Is Cannabidiol (CBD): An Effective Anxiety Remedy? Retrieved from ANXIETYHACK.COM: http://www.anxietyhack.com/cannabidiol-cbd-nootropic-anxiety/
Burstein, S. (2015). Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation. Bioorganic \& medicinal chemistry, 23(7), 1377-1385.
Blessing, Esther M, Maria M Steenkamp, Jorge Manzanares, and Charles R Marmar. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” Neurotherapeutics : The journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics. Oct. 2015. Springer US. 11 June 2019 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
Callaway, J. (2004). Hempseed as a nutritional resource: an overview. Euphytica, 140(1), 65-72.
Conrad, C. (1997). Hemp for health: The medicinal and nutritional uses of Cannabis sativa. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions/Bear \& Co.
Derenusson, G. N., Ferrari, T. B., Wichert-Ana, L., & Martin-Santos, R. (2011). Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(1), 121-130.
de Souza Crippa, A., Zuardi, A. W., Garrido, G. E., Wichert-Ana, L. G., & Ferrari, L. (2004). Effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on regional cerebral blood flow. Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(2), 417.
Linge, R., Jim{\’e}nez-S{\’a}nchez, L., Campa, L., Pilar-Cu{\’e}llar, F., & Vidal, R. (2016). Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: role of 5-HT 1A receptors. Neuropharmacology, 103, 16-26.
Passie, T., Emrich, H. M., Karst, M., Brandt, S. D., & Halpern, J. H. (2012). Mitigation of post-traumatic stress symptoms by Cannabis resin: A review of the clinical and neurobiological evidence. Drug testing and analysis, 4(7-8), 649-659.
Pacher, Pál, Sándor Bátkai, and George Kunos. “The endocannabinoid system as an emerging target of pharmacotherapy.” Pharmacological reviews. Sept. 2006. U.S. National Library of Medicine. 11 June 2019 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241751/>.
Roitman, P., Mechoulam, R., Cooper-Kazaz, R., & Shalev, A. (2014). Preliminary, open-label, pilot study of add-on oral Delta$9-tetrahydrocannabinol in chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. Clinical drug investigation, 34(8), 587-591.
Rosenheck, R. A., & Fontana, A. F. (2007). Recent trends in VA treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental disorders. Health affairs, 26(6), 1720-1727.
The MNT Editorial Team. (2017, December 12). Anxiety: Causes, symptoms, and treatments. Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/anxiety
Weich, Scott, Hannah Louise Pearce, et al., “Effect of anxiolytic and hypnotic drug prescriptions on mortality hazards: Retrospective cohort study.” The BMJ. 19 Mar. 2014. British Medical Journal Publishing Group. 11 June 2019: https://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g1996
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2002). The assessment and treatment of complex PTSD. Treating trauma survivors with PTSD, 127-156.
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