Anxiety can result in prolonged mental sickness. Most consumers praise the compound for its therapeutic potential. For this reason, many anxiety victims inquire whether the condition can be alleviated. Let us find out.
Anxiety can result in prolonged mental sickness. The latest pharmacotherapies for such situations are associated with adverse effects and low efficacy. Cannabidiol (CBD) exists naturally in cannabis plants. It is among the major constituents containing therapeutic properties. CBD is safe, has insignificant adverse effects, is well tolerated, and illustrates no human dependence or abuse potential. Cannabidiol companies have different products in the marketplace. CBD generates positive health effects by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Consumers with anxiety wonder whether CBD oil can soothe the condition. This article will investigate if this product is helpful in anxiety.
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is derived from hemp or marijuana plants through different methods, including carbon dioxide and alcohol. It does not cause psychoactive effects on consumers, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp and cannabis sativa (marijuana) are major cannabis variants cannabis. Hemp contains high cannabidiol contents and low THC levels. However, marijuana has low CBD contents and high THC levels. This difference made some States illegalize CBD-related products. In 2018, the Farm Bill legalized farming, manufacturing, and consumption of industrial hemp-related products. However, the federal law stipulated that all CBD products should contain 0.3 percent or below THC legal threshold. Modern professionalism and technology discovered the CBD’s potential benefits. Consumers today report positive impacts of CBD products in certain health conditions. This has skyrocketed CBD popularity and demand, causing many brands to emerge. Cannabidiol comes in various extracts, including full-spectrum, isolates, and broad-spectrum. The full spectrum contains cannabis compounds such as cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), terpenes, flavonoids, THC, and fatty acids. This extract is excellent for consumers who want these compounds without THC concerns.
Additionally, these substances work synergistically to generate an entourage effect. This implies that consumers enjoy more benefits than those taking isolates. The broad spectrum contains these compounds but eliminates the THC molecule. Mostly, consumers who prefer this extract are those intending to partake in other cannabis compounds except THC. Isolates are the purest cannabidiol formulation. It constitutes CBD exclusively. Chye et al. (2019) reported that CBD interacts with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system contains CB1 and CB2 receptors that interact with CBD oil’s phytocannabinoids. The section below will elaborate more on CBD functioning.
How Does CBD Oil Function?
Niaz et al. (2017) showed that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates various psychological processes like reproduction, immune function, metabolism, sleep, stress, appetite, mood, memory, body temperature, and pain sensation. The ECS interacts through endocannabinoids, the neurotransmitters or messengers synthesized naturally by the human body that binds certain receptors. THC and CBD are plant-related cannabinoids in cannabis (hemp and marijuana). Additionally, they are chemically alike to endocannabinoids implying that they can communicate with one another. The endocannabinoid system assists modulate functions in numerous body parts.
Furthermore, professionals explain that ECS functions majorly with the human brain when dealing with anxiety and stress. Some brain circuits are involved in creating shifts in performance states. Mainly, such activities happen in the amygdala (brain part), which response to perceived and real dangers like false alarms that stimulate anxiety. Consequently, it triggers a flight or fight reaction when breathing hastens, heartbeats rapidly, an inner voice induces a run scream, and muscles tense. Sometimes the brain triggers a stress reaction that ECS can stop. According to Lutz (2022), the system maintains the amygdala less active in regulating the synthesis of anxiety or stress. Cannabidiol from CBD oil interacts with endocannabinoids, thus promoting the ECS system. When cannabinoids increase in the body, this system works effectively to ensure the body functions normally by removing stress and anxiety. Therefore, CBD helps maintain normal body functioning.
How is Cannabidiol for Anxiety Administered?
Cannabidiol companies manufacture various product formats. In addition, they have distinct consumption methods like inhalation, oral, spray, and sublingual. The cannabidiol product should be effective regardless of the method employed. However, the period required for effects to manifest varies. Huestis (2007) showed that users who utilize an oral technique such as oils, edibles, or capsules start experiencing the effects within 30 minutes to 2 hours. This is because the CBD compound is absorbed into the digestive system. Afterward, it enters the liver, where breakdown takes place. Later, the CBD absorbs into the bloodstream, which triggers effects manifestation. However, effects are experienced faster when cannabis buds are smoked, or CBD oil is vaped. This happens because the CBD compound sidesteps the digestive system. The cannabidiol enters the bloodstream immediately without undergoing any process. Consumers start experiencing effects after it absorbs into the bloodstream. The method is faster, although experts discourage it for various reasons.
Choosing CBD Oil for Anxiety
The CBD market is flooded with numerous products of different types and formulations. Unfortunately, fly-by-night brands have sneaked into the cannabidiol market with low quality and unsafe products. Nowadays, choosing high-quality products from unscrupulous ones is difficult. Therefore, consumers should consider certain parameters when selecting CBD oil for anxiety. For example, manufacturers determine the end product’s quality. For this reason, shop from reputable manufacturers who have positive customer reviews. Their products must have undergone third-party lab tests for purity, safety, and potency. They should provide the certificate of analysis (COA), which indicates the product’s ingredients. Furthermore, consider exclusively products extracted through the carbon dioxide extraction method.
Conclusion
Cannabidiol is sourced from hemp or marijuana plants. It does not cause intoxicating effects like THC, its cannabis counterpart. Most consumers report positive impacts after using CBD products. Nowadays, cannabidiol comes in different extracts, including full-spectrum, isolates, and broad-spectrum. Professionals explain that CBD functions by interacting with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). Additionally, the body has endocannabinoids with a similar chemical structure to phytocannabinoids. ECS regulates mood, anxiety, stress, appetite, reproduction, and other physiological processes. CBD communicates with this system which normalizes body stress and anxiety. Furthermore, choose high-quality CBD oil for anxiety from reputable companies that produces laboratory reports.
References
Chye, Christensen, Solowij, & Yücel, (2019). The Endocannabinoid System And Cannabidiol’s Promise For The Treatment Of Substance Use Disorder. Frontiers In Psychiatry, 10, 63.
Huestis, M. A. (2007). Human Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 4(8), 1770.
Lutz, (2022). Neurobiology Of Cannabinoid Receptor Signaling. Dialogues In Clinical Neuroscience.
Niaz, Khan, Maqbool, Momtaz, Hassan, Nobakht-Haghighi, & Abdollahi, (2017). Endo-Cannabinoids System And The Toxicity Of Cannabinoids With A Biotechnological Approach. EXCLI Journal, 16, 688.
Anastasia Filipenko is a health and wellness psychologist, dermatolist and a freelance writer. She frequently covers beauty and skincare, food trends and nutrition, health and fitness and relationships. When she’s not trying out new skincare products, you’ll find her taking a cycling class, doing yoga, reading in the park, or trying a new recipe.
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