Does CBD Help with Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
If it looks like CBD is everywhere, that’s because it is. CBD has captured our collective imagination, and thanks to all the positive reviews, it looks like most people find it therapeutic especially as an anti-anxiety treatment. We should mention that cannabidiol hasn’t yet been classified as medication by the FDA, and therefore, it might be a bit misleading to describe it as medicine for anxiety.
Having said that, CBD does have tremendous medicinal value and can be used to regulate some of the basic hormonal functions, including the type that cause anxiety.
What is Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
Anxiety is best described as a fear-based emotional reaction that may be caused by any number of reasonsfrom social phobia or other more general cases of fear and paranoia. The condition itself is characterized by restlessness; and people with anxiety often find it difficult to make decisions and stick to them, or to speak in public. This can have serious impact on a person’s ability to succeed at work, at home, and socially.
For some people, there seems to be a definite trigger for anxiety; but in some instances, individuals may feel anxious constantly. The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 300 million people are living with anxiety worldwide – although these numbers are modest at best.
What Are the Causes of Anxiety?
There are no distinct causes for anxiety, but there are common factors that seem to affect a large majority of people with the condition. These are:
· Work-related stress
· Failed relationships
· Financial difficulty
· Emotional trauma
· Drug use
· Side effects of a severe disease
· Side effects of certain medication
Bear in mind that some of these factors are generalizations, and it’s possible to have anxiety and not have any of these factors as the cause.
Traditional treatment for anxiety
Pharmaceutical solutions to anxiety tend to involve drugs known as anxiolytics; but the problem with these medications is that they have awful side effects. As a result, many people have turned to cannabinoids for relief. Cannabis has a long history as a treatment for anxiety, though the brain activity caused by the compound THC can worsen a case of anxiety.
Cannabidiol offers a better treatment because of its non-psychoactive nature (it doesn’t get you high).
CBD influences CB1 and CB2 brain receptors to change the way these neurotransmitters affect things like mood and anxiety. CB1 receptors have a direct effect on mood and stress, which means you may be able to improve your mood and reduce anxiety by using CBD.
How CBD Helps You to Deal with Anxiety and Panic Attacks
For anybody dealing with a severe case of anxiety, taking CBD every day can significantly reduce the impact when anxiety strikes, and I can actually lead to a lowering of symptoms are you get used to the calmness and clarity that CBD elicits. To give you a clear picture of how CBD can help, check out these five ways cannabidiol relieves anxiety and PTSD:
- CBD Helps You to Manage Stress
Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol serve important tasks in the body but can place too much pressure on the brain and other organs when left for too long. CBD reduces stress hormones and limits the damage they cause. Cortisol can damage muscle tissue and make it harder to exercise; which is why it’s important to keep it under control.
- Revamp Your Sleep Routine
Cannabidiol Releases melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. The antianxiety effect also makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, which is why a moderate dose of CBD oil should be part of your sleeping routine. There are other ways to take CBD – so if you are partial to vaping devices, or CBD edibles, you can choose a method that works for you.
- Significantly Less Inflammation and Pain Signals
Inflammation is common and can be caused by anything from injury to exercise and disease. Cannabidiol, among other things, is anti-inflammatory, which will help to speed up healing if the muscles start to inflame. In the case of brain inflammation, it reduces swelling caused by injury or disease.
- CBD is Not Addictive
Unlike the medicines used to treat anxiety, CBD does not cause addiction. It can in fact be used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction – though you should seek medical advice if you’re dealing with a case of addiction.
- CBD Boosts Endurance
Your energy levels will increase by using cannabidiol, and with that, endurance levels will get a boost. Always consult a health expert before trying new supplements, and revert back to normal treatment if they don’t work for you.