When most people think of anxiety, a variety of different occurrences can be imagined. For one, it could be seen as a weakness, while to others it can be seen as an expected aspect of life. Whether it’s the feeling of nervousness before going out and giving a presentation, or the knot in your stomach that appears as your flight gets ready to take off, anxiety is a normal part of life that should not be feared.
While anxiety alone is normal, there are those who have a lot worse than a temporary fear. Instead, what is momentary to most people becomes constant to those who have anxiety disorders. This is where cannabidiol (CBD) comes in.
Many of our customers here at Tasty Hemp Oil have reported CBD has done amazing things in their lives. Helping them feel calm and not overly anxious is one of them. In this blog, we will look at what anxiety itself is, and while the FDA has not yet released any findings, there are a few studies which have shown positive results when it comes to CBD and anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
As previously mentioned above, anxiety is a normal and expected part of our daily lives. It can come in different forms, depending on where it originates, which could be either professional or personal aspects of your life. Being the “flight or fight” response to a situation we find ourselves in, the severity of the anxiety is based on what exactly is going on.
18.1% of all adults in the United States are affected by anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. However, with many individuals either never seeking assistance or being misdiagnosed, the current estimates skyrocket to 30%.
What One Study Has Shown – CBD & Anxiety
The University of Sao Paulo, located in Brazil, has posted their findings on a study done to test the effect of CBD on anxiety. For the test, a total of 24 individuals who had Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder were given a public speaking simulation. Before the mock presentation, half of the subjects were given a placebo, while the other half were given a single dose of 600mg of CBD.
When asked afterward about how they felt during the presentation, the subjects who were given the CBD reported having felt a lot less anxious as they normally would be under similar circumstances.
How Does CBD Oil Help With Anxiety?
The endocannabinoid system is a biological network that runs throughout your body. It’s one job is maintaining homeostasis, which means psychologically balanced and stable. This helps regulate your mood, appetite, pain and memory functions that your body performs, usually without you realizing it.
Throughout your endocannabinoid system (ECS) there are CB1 Receptors. These are where endocannabinoids, such as anandamide (which causes sensations of pain, pleasure, and hunger), can be affected.
Both CBD and THC, the latter being the substance which gets you “high”, interact with your endocannabinoid system in different ways. THC perfectly fits into CB1 receptors, which gets you high. While on the other hand, CBD does not fit into the CB1 receptors, but other receptors found in the ECS that makes you feel more relaxed and calm.
In Closing
While there is still no FDA approved studies to prove it, CBD still continues to gain traction from the benefits it provides. While anxiety is not the only thing that our customers have tried it for, CBD is very quickly making a lasting impression on the medical field. With a new and improved 2018 Farm Bill on the table in the House for voting as we speak, the passing of which will clear up all confusion about industrial hemp, and lead to CBD products to be thoroughly tested by the FDA.