In this article, you find out about a person’s state of anxiety, and how the use of CBD has on the state of anxiety. We will compare the data of various studies conducted by scientists from different countries and try to summarize the topic: does CBD actually reduce anxiety and what is the effect of cannabis on the human body in a state of anxiety.
The feeling of anxiety can be caused by various factors, namely, genetic predisposition, imbalance in neurotransmitters, and personality traits. For example, people with a labile psyche, sensitive temperament, a tendency to negative emotions, stressful situations, mental trauma, unfavorable living conditions, somatic diseases.
How does CBD influence anxiety?
Does it help to facilitate this sense, or on the contrary?
Let’s compare the opinions of scientists in this sphere.
British scientists have called CBD a natural antidepressant. Let’s start by looking at how cannabis affects the human senses.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabis compound that does not give you a psychoactive high. The molecule works in the following way: relieves anxiety, fear, depression, stress, and pain without unwanted side effects. This compound not only lowers some of the intoxicating qualities of THC but also promotes a deep sense of calm in many people. This is why CBD is a natural antipsychotic and antidepressant.
In 2016, rodent studies were carried out in Spain. The results of these studies showed that CBD is a potent antidepressant. Depression and anxiety often appear at the same time. Depression is often treated with similar drugs, as is anxiety.
The results of this study were published in 2016 in the journal Neuropharmacology. In this experiment, it was found that CBD treatment caused a surge in the neurotransmitter serotonin in rodents with signs of stress-induced depression. Serotonin is a communication molecule that helps nerve cells send and receive signals from each other. It plays a critical role in mood and stress management.
CBD works specifically with the serotonin receptor and increases the availability of serotonin in the brain, which can reduce anxiety and improve mood. These studies have shown that CBD affects serotonin levels quite quickly.
Naturally, with an increase in serotonin levels, a person’s mood and the condition improves. Antidepressants also work with serotonin levels. Usually, the course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor for two weeks.
Scientists have also found that CBD increases blood flow to an area of the brain that controls anxiety.
In the United States, cannabis is used as a proven way to eliminate anxiety. This technique is common and used in states where the treatment of various ailments with cannabis is legal. And this gives success in overcoming anxiety and depression.
Scientists also point out that it is impossible to determine exactly how the use of cannabis will affect the anxiety of a particular person. The fact is that anxiety is an individual feeling and can be caused by a variety of factors. For example, the fear of public speaking also causes anxiety, or the time before the exam for a student, not to mention more serious reasons for anxiety, such as psychological trauma, etc.
If an overdose is provoked, the state of anxiety can worsen, this can cause paranoia. This is why the dose of the drug used is so important. But we’ll talk about this later.
Research phase tests conducted by UK company GW Pharmaceuticals have shown CBD may be a useful stabilizer in people with severe anxiety. Besides, it can treat even complex psychotic disorders. These same studies have shown that CBD can help combat conditions such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, mild to moderate depression. It also clarifies that CBD is an aid in the treatment of these symptoms; it is best used in combination with other drugs to achieve the best and fastest result.
Research conducted in the United States in February 2014 showed exactly what factors should be considered if you decide to treat depression and anxiety with cannabis.
The first factor is the type of specific worry.
The second factor is the way of application (inhalation, capsules, smoking, inhalation, nebulization, etc.) and the dose of cannabis for that particular person.
The third factor is the patient’s genetic profile – something that is difficult to assess but which can influence the patient’s anxiety response.
Of course, cannabis affects and helps to overcome anxiety when the dose is correctly calculated. However, CBD alone cannot eliminate traumatic memories. This was shown by studies on mice. CBD is a compound that can help change behavior for the better. This is because CBD engages the parts of the brain involved in memory, learning, and emotion.
What processes occur in a person who has anxiety and has already started a course of cannabis treatment. Here’s what a 2016 review published in Frontiers of Pharmacology has to say. The study authors suggest that CBD may help with anxiety, namely:
- reducing the expression of fear,
- violation of the consolidation of terrible memories,
- help to extinguish terrible memories.
In simple terms, CBD helps prevent feelings of fear. This prevents the accumulation of hard memories into intrusive memories. And it can help erase horrific long-term memories. All of these factors show that CBD for anxiety is an important tool and is effective in fighting anxiety as well as depression.
Anxiety is a unique thing, and unfortunately, it is inherent in every person. Cases are individual. Cannabis isn’t the only remedy that can help combat anxiety. People who consume CBD consistently reduce their anxiety in this way. Scientists note that, on the contrary, beginners may experience anxiety, the reason for this is an incorrectly calculated dose.
Let’s now take a closer look at what exactly can be the negative consequences of an overdose of cannabis and how to avoid them.
Lots of high doses of cannabis users can recall moments of paranoia that could range from mild anxiety to deep anxiety.
Russian psychiatrist Pavel Beschastnov notes that large dosages of cannabis can easily lead even to the development of intoxication psychosis. But this psychosis is an extreme degree of intoxication, the person has sobered up – the psychosis has passed. The existence of their chronic psychotic disorders as a result of cannabis use is highly questionable. A total of 390 cases are described, most of them for areas of endemic growth, and all of them are very doubtful. Chronic cannabis psychosis either does not exist at all, or it is an exclusively exotic pathology that is relevant to places of traditional consumption. His words once again confirm the fact that an overdose can cause negative consequences.
How can this negative result be avoided?
Spanish researchers in the field of studying the influence of cannabis on the human psyche have made the following conclusions in this regard:
- You can eat varieties with low THC content, but high CBD. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that helps fight anxiety and counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC, resulting in a quieter and easier experience;
- The dose should be controlled. Smoking and fumes offer better dose control than oils;
- Also, to avoid an attack of paranoia, it is recommended to use cannabis in a calm, quiet place;
- It is also important to choose the right variety. Each variety has its characteristics at the chemical level. Therefore, it is important to keep track of which varieties are good for you. Sativa varieties tend to produce brighter, high-energy effects, while Indica varieties tend to produce more relaxing effects.
Only facts published in 2012:
The subjectively pleasant effect of cannabis use was noted by more than half of those who used it.
Among the thousand-plus users of cannabis in uncontrolled doses between the ages of 18–25, 22% reported cases of panic attacks, 15% – obsessive thoughts, and even auditory hallucinations.
In another study (268 cases, average age 19 years), 61% of the respondents indicated relaxation and tension reduction as the main motive for using, 27% – joy and good mood. Negative effects – anxiety, depression, paranoid ideas – were noted by 21%, who also exceeded the dose of cannabis use.
A British study from 1997, 2800 users. About 60% reported subjectively positive effects of cannabis use, primarily relaxation. 26% spoke about calming down and getting rid of stress, 9% – about the growth of personal intuition and ability to understand, good mood – 5%, sociability – 2%. Adverse effects were reported by 21% of respondents, memory loss – 6%, paranoid obsessive thoughts – 6%, apathy, and laziness – 5%, panic attacks – 2%.
These studies show us that cannabis often has a positive effect on a person’s condition. When using a correctly calculated dose and a suitable variety of cannabis, a person has a feeling of joy, a good mood, which is an assistant in the fight against anxiety.
In human studies conducted in the United States, it has been noted that the CBD compound has an effect similar to many anti-anxiety drugs and that it is justified and effective for treating anxiety.
This article is not an advocacy for cannabis use. The article is informative.
