With all the secrecy surrounding CBD, it is understandable that people have heard a lot of different things about it. For example, some talk about how it can be used to cure anxiety or improves sleep. For centuries, there have also been claims about it having ability to alter a person’s state of mind in a psychoactive way, or even its legality. It is important to filter what’s accurate in these claims, especially when you’re trying to purchase a product of specific quality. So, how much of the facts about CBD should one acknowledge before proceeding to get holds onto some CBD? The answers may answer some questions you thought were unanswerable.
You Could Be Wondering What CBD Has to Do with Controlling Stress and Anxiety
You could be wondering what CBD has to do with controlling stress and anxiety in your day-to-day activities. Thanks to the interaction of CBD with the endocannabinoid system, your mood and hormone levels as well as the mental state of stress are likely to be improved. Many users have apparently been able to lessen their stress levels and enhance the overall emotional well-being. But how effective is it according to studies and how should one go about choosing the product that meets his needs. The answers might surprise you.
The Endocannabinoid System Explained
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is also one of the stress-responding systems in your body.
Up to a degree, knowing its purpose and how different cannabinoids work with it can provide them with excellent tools to influence their mental wellbeing.
The first thing that we should understand is what ECS is and why does it modulate your stress response. Additionally, we should also discuss the role of cannabinoids like CBD in this modulation.
ECS and Stress Response
Without knowing the ECS it is impossible to understand how your body copes up with stress. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) ensures the proper functioning of the stress response system. It acts as a balance and homeostasis which assures that whenever there is a stressor in the environment, the body responds in an appropriate manner.
In stressful situations, your ECS tries to balance the amount of hormones and neurotransmitters released, allowing you to handle the situation better.
This is how ECS controls your stress response:
- It decreases the quantity of cortisol, which is the main stress hormone that the body produces.
- It stimulates a state of relaxation, and thus anxiety is reduced.
- It assists in the control of emotions so that they do not become excessive.
- It helps to calm the body down, so that you can recuperate from stress.
Role of Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are very important in the way your body communicates with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is responsible for different processes including stress and anxiety among other things.
ECS is a system which consists of receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes that work together in order to achieve homeostasis. When the body is fed cannabinoids such as CBD, they attach to these receptors, particularly CB1 and CB2 whose mainly function is to control mood, stress responses, and emotional stability.
Because they act on the ECS, cannabinoids can influence the amount of neurotransmitters released, decreasing anxiety levels which gives an overall feeling of relaxation. Serotonin, in particular has been known to be enhanced by CBD. Serotonin is an important signal for regulating moods. This will be very useful in situations where the body is experiencing a lot of anxiety or stress.
At the same time, cannabinoids are of great help in dealing with some of the stress’ physiological symptoms and even reactivity to anxiety provoking stimuli. For example, some of them can lower heart rate and decrease cortisol release, that makes you feel calmer.
Knowing how cannabinoids act on the ECS gives you power to integrate CBD within yourself for the purposes of dealing with stress and anxiety and restoring inner balance and overall wellbeing.
How Does CBD Help Reduce Stress
Over the past few years, CBD has become a common ingredient to reduce all stress levels and tension, making it a great remedy and a healthier option when compared to other classical approaches. When one is in an unfortunate state, overwhelming chaos surrounding them can be balanced and calmed with CBD. It works with the endocannabinoid system of one’s body, which has vital functions when dealing with stress and emotional reactions.
Think about the comfort which can be achieved with:
- Getting rid of racing thoughts that do not allow you to relax and sleep.
- Relaxing muscle tension that develops in the body during busy work hours.
- Being able to see through confounding everyday activities that cloud the mind’s eye and distract from concentrating on more important things.
- Regaining happiness and enjoying the present moment while stress is nowhere to be found.
Managing your stress becomes a whole lot easier by regularly incorporating CBD into your system. More people are saying that instead of the usual stress and tension they are more calm, relaxed, and at peace after doing so.
In any case, there are oils, edibles, and topical solutions that you would have to search for. By these methods, you are slowly letting go of the anxiety and welcoming peace into your life.
CBD’s Effect on Anxiety
First of all, it is important to stress how crucial it is to understand how CBD works with the body when it comes to anxiety.
It has been reported that anxiety can be alleviated by CBD due to receptors within the human brain.
Now let’s look at the biology behind CBD working in the human body and highlight some of the clinical trials which back up its claims.
How It Works
Anxiety is quite a common disorder and for those who suffer from it, learning about how CBD interacts with the body and what effects it has can be very informative.
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, has a direct effect on the endocannabinoid system of the body which is responsible for the balance between anxiety and stress levels. Once consumed, CBD attaches its receptors to the brain and nervous system which helps promote calm and relaxation.
These are a few of the numerous ways of how CBD can help you with anxiety:
- Cortisol level reduction: CBD can decrease the hormone that stresses you out, helping you feel less anxious and more centered.
- Enhances serotonin: It might be effective in increasing serotonin levels which is one of the major neurotransmitters associated with the feeling of happiness.
- Increases neurogenesis: According to studies, CBD may increase the rate of growth of new cells in the brain and may help elevate the mood and provide some protection from being anxious.
- Promotes better sleep: As anxiety is being tackled, with the help of CBD, one can attain a deeper sleep which is vital in the overall mental health.
Clinical Studies Overview
Many clinical studies were conducted to determine the potential role of the anti-anxiety properties of cannabidiol and the results are encouraging. There is evidence that CBD may alleviate anxiety in different populations, patients with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) included.
In one double-blind study, the subjects who ingested CBD displayed significantly lower anxiety when engaged in public speaking tasks than the subjects who were given a placebo.
In addition, several reviews of studies also cited that CBD as a prominent anxiolytic in animal and human studies, suggesting it might modulate the serotonin function which is well known in regulating the mood.
You might also find it quite interesting that some studies indicate CBD can promote better sleep as well which would help further overpower the anxiety.
These findings give a reason to be optimistic but it has to be borne in mind that the effects of CBD will vary in individuals. Dosage, delivery of CBD and body chemistry all important in relation to its efficacy.
In case you are thinking of using CBD for anxiety, a healthcare professional can assist you in making the right choice regarding the course of action based on existing approaches.
Possible Side Effects and Precautions
A majority report experiencing benefits from anxiety and stress from CBD but there are side effects and certain other things that have to be kept in mind. Different people respond to CBD treatment differently and what may work on one person may not on the other.
Others of the side effects you may come across are:
- Drowsiness/Fatigue: As a result of this condition, you may be more lethargic than normal thereby affecting your normal routine.
- Dry Mouth: This is a common side effect that can prove to be irritating and distracting.
- Increased/Decreased Appetite: Possible increase or decrease in appetite can be observed which may have adverse effects elsewhere.
- Medication Interactions: If any other medication is concurrent, use of CBD may have interactions affecting the other medications and causing problems.
It would also be advisable to seek professional advice when commencing CBD, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions and taking medications.
Being cautious is now your best step towards achieving optimal well-being. After all, our health comes first and therefore it is pertinent to learn how CBD specifically works for you in as far as stress and anxiety management is concerned.
Conclusion
Adding CBD into your schedule could prove beneficial in as far as stress and anxiety management is concerned. Since CBD interacts with your endocannabinoid system, it helps balance your emotions and even lower cortisol levels for an overall calming effect. With the increasing evidence proving its success, these procedures are not as intimidating anymore. Just make sure to use the one that is most appropriate for you and educate yourself with all the side effects that may occur. The CBD will help the not there is need to thumbnail of the invisible thumbs which these quiet of life.
