How Does CBD Oil for Anxiety Work?
Considering using CBD oil for anxiety? Check out this guide to understand how CBD oil works for treating anxiety to decide if it’s right for you.
Keyword(s): cbd oil for anxiety
Legitimate scientific research into cannabidiol oil (CBD oil) is still an emerging tradition. This article outlines the use of cbd oil for anxiety.
It seems like every day, there’s some new breakthrough in all of the myriad uses for CBD oil. CBD oil for anxiety is a particularly exciting development for those who struggle with overwhelming stress.
To help you gain a broader understanding of how CBD oil works, we’ll take a look at what CBD oil is. Then we’ll look at the specifics of how it helps to treat anxiety of all kinds. We’ll even take a look at some CBD oil for anxiety success stories.
CBD oil for anxiety
What Is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol is an oil that is extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD oil is rich in cannabinoids which attach themselves to specialized brain receptors. THC is the best-known cannabinoid, as the active ingredients that make you feel altered after smoking marijuana. THC is far from the only cannabinoid, however.
CBD oil attaches itself to the same neural receptors as THC. It doesn’t produce a “high,” however. This is one of the most exciting prospects about CBD oil.
CBD oil is strictly medicinal and is good for a lot of different things. It’s known to help combat cancer. It’s been known to be effective in treating mental illness, which is part of what makes CBD oil for anxiety so effective.
CBD oil is edible, so it’s often added to food or used as a cooking oil. It can also be taken straight, ingesting a few drops when you need its medicinal properties. CBD oil should not be smoked or used as an aromatherapy oil, however.
How CBD Oil Affects The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid system can be found in nearly every living thing on Earth. Evidence of the Endocannabinoid system in humans, animals, and insects date back millions of years. The main purpose of the Endocannabinoid system is to regulate homeostasis within the body.
CBD occurs naturally in the Endocannabinoid system. This means CBD oil is found in the human body. That’s part of what makes CBD oil for anxiety so effective.
It’s less harsh than prescription pharmaceuticals for treating anxiety. It’s also less likely to cause a dependency.
CBD oil facilitates communication between cells. These communications often contain instructions that allow cells to repair themselves. CBD oil works as a kind of holistic medicine that helps your nervous system help itself.
CBD Oil For Anxiety
Most of the research on the medicinal uses of cannabinoids focuses on marijuana.
The research on CBD oil by itself is still emerging. This causes a bit of confusion, as marijuana has a reputation for increasing anxiety. Doing some research into how CBD oil works will help you avoid the drawbacks and find a routine that works best for you.
To get a clear picture of how CBD oil for anxiety works, it’s important to analyze the research on CBD oil as a standalone product. The results look promising.
Why CBD Oil For Anxiety Is Important
Anxiety can be crippling. It can ruin our lives. It actually comes about for valid reasons, however. Anxiety helps us recognize potential threats. It helps us protect our loved ones when the chips are down.
Anxiety disorders are a case of natural instincts run amok. They actually prevent us from making decisions and taking action when necessary.
Anxiety can hinder our careers.
It can limit our relationships. CBD oil for anxiety can help you flourish in these areas, and many more. Considering that 40 million adults in the United States are suffering from anxiety disorders, there’s a large call for a viable treatment.
Large pharmaceutical companies know this. There is an enormous market for anti-anxiety medication like Prozac or Valium.
How CBD Oil For Anxiety Is Preferable To Pharmaceuticals
Not everyone reacts well to strong prescription medication like Prozac or Valium. These pharmaceuticals tend to have strong side-effects that can be almost as debilitating as the anxiety itself. Pharmaceuticals to treat anxiety tend to be habit-forming, as well.
CBD Oil is proving to be highly effective in treating anxiety in animals.
CBD oil is also proving to be effective in treating a wide range of psychological disorders, including:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Social anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Depression
- General anxiety disorder
As more research emerges into the many medical benefits of CBD oil, this list is sure to grow.
The Neurological Impact Of CBD Oil
Before we begin, it’s important to note that the majority of CBD oil research has been conducted on animals. The results of human studies are starting to emerge. The study of the medical benefits of CBD oil for anxiety is an emerging field.
CBD Oil Works Like A Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
5-HT1A is a specialized type of serotonin receptor. The serotonin system is often the target of anxiety medication. SSRI’s are some of the most common anxiety medications. These include Prozac and Zoloft.
SSRI’s work by decreasing the reabsorption of serotonin. This makes more serotonin available to the nervous system. This enhances the number of serotonin signals. This diminishes anxiety levels and improves your mood.
CBD oil for anxiety has a similar effect. CBD also increases the number of serotonin signals. Animal research suggests that CBD oil for anxiety may work even more quickly than SSRIs.
Researchers are optimistic that CBD oil could be a major breakthrough in treating anxiety disorders.
CBD Oil Affects The Hippocampus
The hippocampus is integral to creating new memories. It’s also important for a number of other important cognitive functions.
MRI scans of patients suffering from depression often have a smaller hippocampus. Creating new neurons in the hippocampus is one of the most effective methods for treating depression and anxiety.
CBD oil for anxiety helps regenerate neurons in the hippocampus. This also enhances neuroplasticity, which is often effective in decreasing suicidal behavior.
Researchers are finding encouraging results, combining CBD oil for anxiety and SSRIs. It’s truly an exciting time for holistically treating mood disorders.
cannabis oil cbd
Clinical Studies On CBD Oil And Anxiety
A 2010 study shows that CBD oil is effective in reducing anxiety in people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Brain scans show increased amounts of blood flow to regions of the brain linked to anxiety.
The 2010 study resulted in participants not only feeling better but actually changing the way their brains handled anxiety.
Another CBD oil for anxiety study also illustrated from 2011 also revealed a decrease in social anxiety among participants. This study focused solely on the anxiety that accompanies public speaking.
A study from 2014 is particularly promising on the effects of CBD oil for anxiety. Rio de Janeiro’s Laboratory of Panic and Respiration illustrates the effectiveness of CBD oil for reducing anxiety. It also reveals antidepressant characteristics.
Esther M. Blessing’s research from the journal of Neurotherapeutics is the most thorough CBD oil for anxiety study conducted thus far. It’s also the most promising.
Blessing’s research indicates CBD oil to be effective in treating all manner of anxiety disorders. It also is effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
CBD oil also helps counteract sleep disorders that are linked to anxiety.
CBD Oil For Anxiety Case Study #1: Software Developer Justin
Software developers are a highly-intelligent lot. Software development requires thinking outside of the box. It also often involves high levels of creative thinking. We all know the stereotypes of the trouble creative type.
A software developer named Justin was diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder after a lifelong battle with depression. Justin discussed his options with his psychiatrists, which included the usual laundry list of SSRIs. He left with a prescription for powerful pharmaceuticals after discussing the benefits of each medication.
Then he began experiencing side-effects immediately. The SSRIs were making him drowsy throughout his workday. Justin compensated with more caffeine, which aggravated his Anxiety Disorder.
Justin started experiencing other side-effects, as well. His thinking was cloudy and muddled. He was having a hard time concentrating. His career started to suffer.
How CBD Oil Helped Justin
Justin eventually stopped taking the prescription medication. His brain slowly returned to normal. His Anxiety Disorder returned, as a result of the neurological changes.
A friend recommended Justin try CBD oil for anxiety. His friend was enthusiastic that the CBD oil would help with his Anxiety Disorder. He also felt it would help with the other cognitive difficulties Justin was experiencing.
The dosage proved to be too low, however. Justin didn’t feel any immediate effects. The thought of CBD Oil for anxiety remained with him, though.
Justin did more research and found what kind of CBD oil might work best for his particular problems. He also wanted to make sure how the CBD oil would interact with his other medications.
This time around, Justin experienced a break-though.
Justin’s Physical Sensations Of Taking CBD Oil
This time around, the young software developer felt an immediate effect after taking CBD oil. He experienced an immediate rush of calmness upon taking the oil.
All of his wild thoughts settled and calmed. His thinking also cleared and he was able to be more productive at work.
The CBD oil left him feeling a little tired after a time. Justin also suffered from restlessness and insomnia due to his Anxiety Disorder. This was a welcome side-effect, even if the timing was off.
CBD oil became Justin’s default anxiety treatment. It allowed him to slowly wean off of his prescription medications while treating his Anxiety Disorder. The CBD oil also removed many of the physical problems that accompany mood disorders. His heart rate and blood pressure fell back to normal. Justin’s life was better than when he started taking CBD oil.
CBD Oil Case Study #2: Jenni Miller
Author Jenni Miller shared a similarly encouraging field report with The Cut. Her first-person account goes into vivid detail of what it’s like taking CBD oil for treating anxiety.
Jenni Miller suffered from anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood. She couldn’t imagine a life without prescription pharmaceuticals. Klonopin helped her get through her days. Benzodiazepines like Klonopin are known to be highly addictive, however.
Jenni Miller had always investigated alternative treatments for her mood disorders. That’s how she found CBD oil.
Jenni Miller’s Experience With CBD Oil
Miller’s investigations took place during the early days of CBD oil research. She talked to a number of leading psychologists and neurologists about the many myriad benefits. She decided to give it a shot.
Ultimately, Miller had a little trouble finding the right dosage. Taking too much CBD oil can feel similar to ingesting THC. This can lead to the lack-of-focus that marijuana is famous for.
CBD oil left Jenni Miller leaving “a little foggy and a little cozy.” She found herself wanting to do crossword puzzles and watch baking shows on TV. CBD oil may have been impacting Miller’s productivity negatively, but it was still a step up for crippling anxiety.
Ultimately, Jenni Miller’s takeaway was that CBD oil is “an interesting way to spend a few hours chilling out without getting the munchies or spinning out in my own brain.”
In her particular case, it wouldn’t be her go-to for moments of extreme anxiety. It’s a useful tool in her arsenal of holistic treatments for Anxiety Disorder, however.
The results of studies of CBD oil on human subjects will reveal more about its many uses for treating mood disorders. CBD oil is less intense and less addictive than prescription pharmaceuticals.
It’s much easier to function naturally, as CBD occurs naturally in the human nervous system.
This emerging discipline suggests an exciting future for hthe olistic sciences. Alternative therapies are becoming increasingly acceptable as more people grow dissatisfied with the current mental health industry.
Remember to do your research and find out how CBD oil will work best for you. You can take a lot or a little, depending on the severity of your needs.
Want To Find Out How CBD Oil Can Benefit Your Life?
The cannabis industry is truly one of the most forward-looking industries in the 21st Century. There are amazing breakthroughs almost every day. Stay up to date with the latest CBD Oil research on our blog!
You know marijuana can cure some of the illness including my depressive disorder and anxiety, I am suffering it for almost 2 yrs now since my 1st born child past away. By the way, it happened when I am 16 yrs old. Yes, I am very young at that time. That’s why i don’t know what will happen to me that time. I can’t really imagine why she left me that fast. I know its kinda weird but I try to use MJ as my relief for what happens to me.