CBD and it’s effects

Anxiety is defined as feeling fearful or worried about something, often something mild and could be considered insignificant. To compound this, it is quite usual for anxiety to create more anxiety.  Thus making it a catch 22 situation when trying to overcome it. As it can be perpetual, this can turn into Generalised Anxiety Disorder, which is a long-term condition.  The most common causes of anxiety are stress at work or school, financial worries, and emotional issues. All of which can severely impact everyday life.  Keep reading this article relating to CBD and its effects on Anxiety to see how it can help?

In the UK it is not possible to get a prescription for CBD to use to help anxiety, even though there are clinical studies that attest that it can be useful.  However, reports show that around 38% of individuals who use CBD in the UK, use it for anxiety. Many report that they prefer it to a pharmaceutical treatment. Additionally the World Health Organisation has stated that CBD is completely safe for human consumption, as it is not addictive and does not have an overdose risk.

When considering using CBD, it is always important to talk to a GP before taking it if you are already taking other medication.

How does CBD help anxiety?

CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is just as important for the survival of human life as the respiratory or circulatory systems. The endocannabinoid system has receptors in the brain, nervous system and throughout the rest of the body. They are responsible for mood, memory, sleep, behavior, and immune function.  The body naturally produces its own cannabinoids, such as anandamide, which is a cannabinoid associated with ‘runner’s high’. The blissful and happy feeling you get from accomplishing physical exercise. CBD artificially elicits a similar response in humans that anandamide does, which explains why it can quickly help with feelings of anxiety and depression.

CBD can also help with the long-term effects of anxiety due to its ability to interact with serotonin receptors in the brain. A lack of serotonin is a medical condition whose primary symptoms are a depressed mood, low energy, and negative thoughts. The usual course of medication would be Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s), a pharmaceutical medication that generally causes a wide range of side effects. CBD has been shown to interact positively with the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, helping to combat anxiety.

Effective for anxiety based disorders

CBD has shown time and time again in multiple studies that it is an effective treatment for anxiety-based disorders. Studies have suggested that CBD is effective enough that it can replace other medications commonly used for anxiety. The studies also suggest that CBD and it’s effects on Anxiety, can help with a range of mental health disorders, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, Personality Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. CBD works to ease anxiety by regenerating brain cells in the hippocampus. This region of the brain is smaller in sufferers of anxiety and depression. Furthermore CBD also interacts with serotonin receptors to alleviate anxiety. All the research currently conducted on CBD for anxiety is enough to suggest it can be a very effective treatment. Simply CBD Wales have other blog articles relating to CBD you may like CBD and Sleep, CBD for pain.