“I want to start using cannabis to treat my anxiety disorder, but I first want to know the science behind it.”
Zach W.
No matter your age, where you live, or what you do for a living, chances are you’ve experienced some type of anxiety, big, small, or constant; everyone gets anxious at some point in their life. About 40 million Americans are thought to suffer from some type of anxiety disorder; that’s a lot! And it’s completely normal to get anxious, but some people get stuck when it comes to how to deal with the issue.
For many, it can be embarrassing to seek help for anxiety, and for others, it can be hard to know where to look for help or where to start. Some people who experience anxiety have found that consuming cannabidiol, also known as CBD, effectively relieves anxious thoughts.
CBD is a marijuana cannabinoid that doesn’t produce a head high like the other famous cannabinoid THC. But CBD has been shown to help temper anxiety.
For example, in a study done in 2011, a group of people suffering from social anxiety took either CBD or a placebo before a test. The subjects who consumed CBD felt less anxious, and their physiological signs of anxiety decreased compared to that of the placebo group.
CBD promotes neurogenesis which can have a calming effect on people leading to a decrease in anxiety. Most people don’t understand the difference between using marijuana with THC versus only using cannabis with CBD in it. THC products can have a tendency to put people’s minds into overdrive and paranoia, depending on the person. On the other hand, CBD doesn’t make consumers feel high like THC does.
In general terms, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid systems (ECS). This is a system of receptors found in most places in the body. The RCS regulates various conditions and body processes, including anxiety. CBD also interacts with the serotonin receptors in the brain; lack of serotonin can often be the principal cause of anxiety. CBD acts similarly to prescribed SSRIs, blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain. This makes serotonin more available in the synaptic space, increasing serotonin signaling, resulting in a happier and more stress-free mood.
Another way CBD induces a calming effect on the mind and body is because it blocks an enzyme called FAAH, or fatty acid amide hydrolase, which lowers the neurotransmitter and endocannabinoid called anandamide. Anandamide is also known as the bliss molecule because it imparts feelings of pleasure to the rest of your body. So, because CBD blocks FAAH, it boosts the levels of the “bliss molecule,” which in turn lowers anxiety levels.
Taylor C.
Prescription medication is often given to people with chronic stress or anxiety. The main issue with SSRIs is that they can leave patients feeling emotionally numb and can also be highly addictive. But according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “CBD has shown therapeutic efficacy in a range of animal models of anxiety and stress, reducing both behavioral and physiological measures of stress and anxiety.”
Research has also shown that regular use of cannabis isn’t associated with toxicity, so you can use CBD products as much as you please to ease your anxiety. But, before starting the use of medical cannabis, it is always important to consult your doctor to make sure it’s a safe choice for you.
CBD has a leg up on SSRIs because researchers have noted that antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of CBD work much faster than SSRIs. This is because CBD affects the serotonin in your brain at a more rapid pace than traditional SSRI medications. Additionally, CBD has been rated by the world health organization as safe, generally well-tolerated, and without the potential for abuse or dependence.
Glenna R.
