CBD for Anxiety: Does Cannabidiol help me with Anxiety?

A common use of cannabidiol (CBD) is to relieve anxiety. Cannabidiol products are said to have an anxiety-relieving effect in addition to many other positive effects such as pain or anti-inflammatory properties. But can CBD really help with anxiety? We have compiled below information on the subject.

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses.

Anxiety disorders often occur in our society: There are said to be around forty million adults affected in the United States and four million people affected in Germany. Women are affected about twice as often as men. The fear can relate to different events, objects, animals or people. It has various causes and is perceived as very disturbing by those affected, especially when the anxiety already affects daily life. Treatment options include various therapy methods, but also medication. Psychopharmaceuticals play a special role here. However, not every patient wants to use chemically manufactured drugs to relieve their anxiety. Because psychotropic drugs are often associated with severe side effects. Therefore, various herbal drugs such as passion flower or valerian are also offered as alternatives. However, some patients swear that cannabidiol (CBD) has help them achieve an anxiety-relieving effect. But does it really work?

CBD for anxiety: does it help or not?

As with most CBD issues, there have been few studies in the field of anxiety relief. Most anxiety patients who try CBD have been made aware of the active substance through a recommendation. On the Internet, for example, there are numerous informative reports on the subject. Nevertheless, there are some interesting studies that should not go unmentioned.

Study on CBD and anxiety: CBD works, but it is unclear why it works.

In the 2004 study entitled "Effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on regional cerebral blood flow", researchers from the University of São Paulo in Brazil confirmed that CBD has an anxiety-relieving effect. However, it is unclear where the effect comes from. The study can be read here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14583744.

Study on the relationship between social anxiety disorders and cannabidiol (CBD)

In 2011, a research group published a study on "Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report". The study can be read here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20829306 The social phobia describes an anxiety that occurs in social situations. Those affected, feel very uncomfortable, especially at the center of attention, because they fear of embarassment.

Further Studies on the Subject

In addition, there are other studies that you can read here:

"Cannabidiol Reduces the Anxiety Induced by Simulated Public Speaking in Treatment-Naïve Social Phobia Patients"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3079847/

"Cannabidiol regulation of emotion and emotional memory processing: relevance for treating anxiety-related and substance abuse disorders"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28268256

"Effect of prior foot shock stress and ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiolic acid, and cannabidiol on anxiety-like responding in the light-dark emergence test in rats"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28424834

"Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an anxiolytic drug"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22729452

How fear arises and where CBD starts

Fear is actually a completely normal feeling that almost all people get to know in their lives. It helps us to free ourselves from dangerous situations or not to get into them in the first place. However, some people are more anxious than others. But that alone is not enough to cause an anxiety disorder. Only when fear paralyses a person to such an extent that their life is impaired do we speak of an anxiety disorder requiring treatment. Anxiety is caused by the effect of certain neurotransmitters that are produced and emitted in the brain. The neurotransmitters are distributed through the blood in the body and cause us to feel anxiety. And this is where CBD comes in: The emission of anxiety neurotransmitters can obviously be inhibited by CBD. As a result, there is a lower concentration in the blood, so that we feel less anxiety. In addition, cannabidiol has a calming effect. Those who take CBD therefore feel much more relaxed in situations that would otherwise cause anxiety.

Cannabidiol: Fear of "getting high"?

Many people don't like the feeling of intoxication or getting high. An intoxication sometimes becomes like a loss of control and this is where CBD comes in. CBD is non intoxicating and therefore can be a great option for persons experiencing anxiety.

An intoxication is sometimes perceived as a loss of control that can even trigger new fears. The assumption that cannabis always triggers intoxication is widespread. But in the case of CBD, this concern is unfounded. Because the chemical compound is not psychoactive and does not in itself trigger intoxication. The euphoria that occurs when cannabis is consumed is due instead to the chemically similar compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which also occurs in cannabis plants.

Although THC and CBD are chemically similar, their effects are very different. Each cannabis strain has both THC and CBD, which can counteract anxiety: THC is more likely to cause anxiety, while CBD relaxes and calms. But the ratio differs from variety to variety, so it depends on the cannabis plant. In some varieties the THC content has been raised, which is very detrimental to the alleviation of anxiety. Those who want to alleviate fears with cannabis should use CBD-based products. They are available, for example, in the form of oil, capsules, or our water soluble.

Side effects of CBD in anxiety

According to previous studies, CBD is largely free of side effects and harmless. However, the studies published to date have not yet adequately addressed the issue of CBD. There are some contradictory studies and certain areas have not yet been investigated. What is certain, however, is that certain interactions with other drugs may occur. Psychotropic drugs may also be included. For this reason, patients who already take CBD regularly should seek advice from their doctor before taking it. Due to the spongy research situation and certain effects on placental enzymes, pregnant women are generally advised not to take CBD.

Conclusion: An effect of CBD on anxiety cannot be denied

Although there are only a few studies to date that have tracked down the anxiety-relieving effect of CBD, it can already be said today that there is definitely an anxiety-relieving effect. However, patients should not try CBD on their own. In order to overcome fears in the long term, therapy is sometimes unavoidable. In combination with behavioral or conversational therapy, the disturbing effects can often be overcome much more quickly and lastingly. Anyone who nevertheless relies on CBD as an active ingredient against anxiety benefits from a product that is largely free of side effects. Only pregnant women and patients who already regularly take medication should refrain from taking CBD or seek extensive advice from their doctor.