Can CBD Relieve Anxiety? It’s a question that a lot of people are asking, especially now with the rise of CBD products. While CBD claims to be able to alleviate a lot of conditions, everything from stress to chronic pain such as arthritis. Today, we’re going to focus on anxiety. We’re going to try to answer the questions, Does CBD Relieve Anxiety? We’re going to tell you a little about anxiety, stress and how the two relate. Then we’ll get into how CBD might be able to help alleviate these problems.
Why Do We Feel Stressed?
Stress is what causes anxiety. Prolonged stress can make anyone feel on edge, and there’s a good reason for it. It’s a survival instinct. It used to be a useful instinct that kept our ancestors alive. When they saw a tiger, they’d feel stress. When they survived, they’d continue to feel stress that would prompt them to avoid tigers as much as possible. That meant fewer tiger attacks. Today, we call that prolonged feeling of stress anxiety because it’s no longer a survival tool. Does CBD relieve Anxiety? Let’s dive in.
Does CBD Relieve Anxiety – How it Works
There is a lot of evidence that CBD products such as oils, vaporizers and edibles reduce and combat the effects of prolonged stress and anxiety. How does it do this? The results of the studies aren’t 100% (because what scientific study is) but here are the trends:
- CBD May Boost Serotonin Levels – Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that makes us feel good. When we feel stress or anxiety, our serotonin levels can drop. CBD sometimes works to regulate the levels of this neurotransmitter to help us feel calmer and less stressed.
- CBD May Regenerate Neural Pathhways – Prolonged exposure to stress can shut down certain pathways in the brain. Our brains think they aren’t useful anymore and shuts them down. There is some evidence that CBD could open receptors for serotonin and other calming neurotransmitters that may have shut down due to stress.
- CBD and Social Anxiety – There is less concrete evidence about this, but CBD seems to have an effect on social anxiety as well. When made to perform public speaking, those that took CBD described their stress level as lower than those who did not.
Is CBD a Solution to Anxiety?
Does CBD Relieve Anxiety? Yes, it’s very possible. Is it a long-term or permanent solution? That’s a lot harder to say. While many people out there report a lower anxiety level when they’re using CBD products, if your anxiety disorder is severe, CBD may not be a good enough solution to your issues. It is always advisable to speak with a doctor or a psychologist when treating your anxiety. Don’t try to go through it alone. There are people and resources available to help you, and for the best relief, use all of them.
Thanks for reading. While you’re here, you can check out our article about CBD and Arthritis, or if you’re interested, you can also check out our reviews of CBD products. We’re sure you can find one that you’ll like! Stay safe out there!