Can CBD really help with anxiety?

CBD has been under the media spotlight over the past year or so. Plenty of high-profile celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Whoopi Goldberg and Morgan Freeman, to name just three, have been jumping on the CBD bandwagon and promoting the cannabinoid’s various health benefits. These range from pain relief to skincare, but one of the most compelling uses for CBD is to counter the effects of stress and anxiety.  
 
How does it work?
 
First and foremost, we need to understand that research into CBD a nd its therapeutic properties is still in its relative infancy. Having said that, there have been a number of studies, and more is being learned every week.  
 
CBD is one of more than 100 cannabinoids, and when they enter the bloodstream, they bind to receptors in the brain. In the case of THC, which is the active cannabinoid in recreational marijuana, this results in the “high” that leads to those famous sensations of euphoria or uncontrollable laughter. In the case of CBD, you don’t get high, but that doesn’t mean there is no pharmacological effect at all.  
 
In fact, research suggests CBD can inhibit receptors associated with seizures and that it can also combat anxiety disorder, a condition that affects around one in five adults in the US. Studies suggest that CBD interacts with particular receptors that regulate the body’s fight-or-flight response and other anxiety-related behaviors.  
 
But what does that mean on a practical level? Clinical trials showed positive effects when CBD was administered for effective treatment for numerous types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks and social anxiety disorder. In the most recent trial, conducted only last year, 397 participants received medical CBD for a range of different conditions including pain, neurological symptoms, and mental health conditions. All reported improvements in quality of life after just three weeks of the treatment.  
 
How to take CBD for anxiety
 
People think of CBD as a little bottle of oil, but it actually comes in a whole variety of forms. One of the most popular ways of taking CBD is to use CBD vape juice in a vaporizer. This has an advantage over other forms like capsules, edibles or drink infusions, as it reaches those receptors faster without having to first traverse the digestive system. The only downside to vaping CBD is that as well as arriving faster it also leaves sooner.  
 
In other words, having a CBD vape to hand is great idea if you are prone to sudden anxiety or panic attacks, as it provides fast relief. However, if you are living with more chronic symptoms and need to maintain a certain level of CBD in your system at all times, taking it in either edible or capsule form might prove to be the better strategy.  
 
It’s important to remember that there are still plenty of unknowns when it comes to CBD and its therapeutic benefits, so be prepared for a little trial and error to see what works best for you.  

This is a guest blog entry.