Taking care of one’s mental health is extremely important. Those who do so tend to have a better and more positive quality of life. One particularly challenging mental health issue that the majority of men and women suffer from is anxiety. Though there are many methods to help anxiety, one particular solution that many are turning to is cannabidiol (CBD). The big question, though, is whether CBD can aid anxiety.
What the Research Shows
Due to the constraints surrounding CBD research and testing, there is no conclusive evidence showing that CBD is able to help treat anxiety. Any information is out there concerning the ability of CBD to reduce anxiety arises out of what scientists believe CBD’s role is when it enters the body and very minimal studies involving CBD and rats.
The most promising information is CBD’s role when it enters one’s system. Researchers believe that upon entering one’s body, it reaches the endocannabinoid system, which regulates the release of serotonin, a calming chemical. The CBD oil works to promote the endocannabinoid system to work harder, which in turn, may release more serotonin and thus, reduce anxiety. At this point, this information is largely speculation and there still needs a great deal of research before there is any certainty.
Now turning to the latter category, animal studies, there are some that show that CBD may be able to work well for anxiety. For example, in 2015 the Journal of Neurotherapeutics released a study about how CBD oil could treat conditions such as anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and the like. The study was conducted on 24 people who experienced social anxiety. Over time, they received 600 milligrams of CBD.
Another study was conducted by Frontiers in Pharmacology. Different doses of CBD were administered before a public speaking test. The study determined that subjective anxiety measures decreased when users took a dose of 300 mg, but any higher dosages were unhelpful.
The Journal of Psychopharmacology published a study in 2018 and therein, it discussed the impact of CBD on those with high paranoid traits. The study determined that the CBD did not impact anxiety, heart rate, blood and blood pressure.
Is CBD Safe?
Because there is a lack of testing concerning CBD, it is difficult to determine whether CBD is safe as well. However, for the most part, those who have used CBD report the following potential side effects:
- May impact appetite
- May cause dry mouth
- May cause diarrhea
- May lead to nausea
- May cause vomiting
- May cause low blood pressure
Another consideration to be aware of is mislabeling. The CBD industry is very unregulated and thus, many products may be mislabeled. Thus, when choosing a CBD brand and its products, it is imperative to take the time to verify that one is making the right decision by looking into the brand, its formulas, labeling, and the like.
Summary
Overall, CBD is still much a mystery substance and its impact on one’s health, such as upon anxiety levels, is still being determined. Learning about other’s own experiences and giving CBD a try may be the only way to determine CBD’s impact upon anxiety.
