Several researches are done to find can CBD reduce anxiety? Cannabidiol or CBD is a chemical present in Cannabis sativa plants. CBD is one of the several cannabinoids found in Cannabis.
Cannabis sativa plant contains over 80 chemicals, known as cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC for short and CBD are the most famous of all cannabinoids.
What is CBD?
CBD is extracted is usually extracted from hemp (a form of the Cannabis sativa plant), but not all the CBD is obtained from hemp. The proportion of THC is much lower in hemp plant whereas it much higher in marijuana. The THC extracted from marijuana is intoxicated and is responsible for the “high”.
Types of CBD
CBD comes in different types, each having distinctive differences. Below are the some of the types of CBD available in the market.
· CBD isolate: As the name suggests it is just CBD, pure and contains no THC or another cannabinoids.
· Broad-spectrum CBD: This form has no THC; however, it contains quite many cannabinoids.
· Full-spectrum CBD: Full Spectrum CBD products contain all cannabinoids, along with THC, but it’s less than 0.3 per cent if the product accepted federally legal.
Different Forms and Products of CBD
When it comes to CBD, it feels that the producers and manufacturers of CBD, has many ways to market the product. Therefore, it comes in many different forms and products, such as:
· Capsules
· Drops
· Oils
· Teas
· Vapor
· Candies or Gummies
In addition to all these forms, you can even opt for having a shot of CBD.
CBD Cause the “High”?
If CBD is pure and does not contain THC, then you should not get “high”. Your brain has specific receptors, called cannabinoids receptors, which receive and response all cannabinoids.
THC is thought to affect these receptors in a much higher degree than CBD, thus causing the high, which the pure CBD cannot cause.
CBD Dependency
As revealed by World Health Organization (WHO) that CBD does not seems to cause addiction or the dependence as associated with toxic or abusive drugs.
However, some products of CBD may contain THC, whether it’s mentioned on the label or not. Thus, may be the reason of causing addiction or high if there is enough THC in these.
CBD for Anxiety
According to some studies, CBD connects with cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), the serotonin 5-HT1A receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for regulating fear and anxiety related behaviors.
In addition it is believed that CBD is a non-psychoactive compound and may be beneficial to treat anxiety and many other conditions. Moreover, the CBD product (Epidiolex) is approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anxiety.
Apart from this, it is not clear how CBD treats anxiety. Yet some researchers suggest that it might work by affecting the Serotonin level, just like other anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants do. Serotonin is a compound present in our body which is responsible for:
· Mood
· Behavior
· Sleep
· Digestion
· Fear related behaviors
· Anxiety related behaviors
Some research suggests the benefits of CBD for treating anxiety by affecting and regulating serotonin levels. Yet, more study is required to be sure about the positive effects of CBD in anxiety treatments.
Side Effects of CBD
People receiving treatment of Epidiolex, approved CBD product, which is almost 100 per cent pure CBD, can experience some side effects, such as:
1. Fatigue
2. Drowsiness
3. Low appetite
4. Insomnia
5. Diarrhea
In addition, FDA has also warned that Epidiolex has caused mild liver damage in a few people during clinical trials.
What Research Says about CBD?
There are some preclinical and clinical evidences which suggest CBD as a fruitful treatment for various types of anxiety. Various researches say that it may help in treating anxiety disorders like:
· Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
· Panic disorder (PD)
· Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
· Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
· Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
It will take a few more researches to be sure about the positive effects of CBD on anxiety disorders.
Is CBD Legal?
The legal status of CBD is still under debate. However, the CBD obtained from hemp plants having less than 0.3 per cent THC is legal. Whereas, CBD obtained from marijuana plant is declared to be illegal.
Conclusion
Can CBD reduce anxiety? Well the answer to this question is mostly yes and is supported by a few researches and clinical and preclinical trials as well. However, the dosage variations and which form is more effective is still a cause of debate. Apart from this, the pure CBD is approved by FDA and is also considered safe and effective for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
ALSO READ: An Overview Of Plant-Based Drugs