CBD is a chemical found in cannabis that has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety. Research shows that CBD can help with social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety-induced insomnia. However, more clinical trials need to be conducted to confirm these findings. In a recent article, Madison Wright and Patricia Di Ciano from the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research summarize the current state of the evidence on the use of CBD for anxiety disorders.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues and affects about 30% of adults worldwide. While there are many different treatments available, most of them only provide limited relief or come with unwanted side effects. In addition, underlying issues such as depression can complicate the treatment.
In animal studies, CBD has been shown to be anxiolytic and reduce anxiety-like behavior. Various receptors in the brain are involved in the anxiety response, and CBD interacts with these receptors. It also alters serotonin signaling, which can be lowered in people with anxiety.
Researchers have studied the anxiolytic properties of best cbd for anxiety in several animal models, including the elevated plus maze and Vogel conflict test. In these experiments, CBD reduced anxiety and arousal in both the animals and human subjects. However, more studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage of CBD for treating anxiety in humans.
The anxiolytic effect of CBD is thought to be mediated by the midbrain dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG). This area of the brain is associated with the regulation of autonomic responses and emotional processing, as well as anxiety. In a study, CBD administered via microinjection into the DPAG produced anxiolytic effects in the EPM and VCT. In another study, a subchronic CBD administration reduced the anxiogenic effects of restraint stress and predator fear in a PTSD model, partially through 5-HT1AR activation.
CBD has been shown to reduce the heart rate increase and blood pressure decrease induced by stress in a rat model. In addition, it has been found to enhance the effect of the anxiolytic drug lorazepam. These results suggest that CBD can be used as an adjunctive treatment to other anxiolytic medications.
A clinical trial in 2019 tested the effectiveness of CBD to treat adolescent PTSD. In the placebo-controlled, double-blind study, almost 80% of the participants using CBD reported an improvement in their anxiety and insomnia. The study was very small and further research needs to be done to determine how much CBD would be the best dosage for treating anxiety in adolescents.
There are a number of different ways to take CBD to treat anxiety, including tinctures, capsules, and edibles. Brown Girl Jane offers a tincture solution that contains broad-spectrum CBD alongside supporting cannabinoids, such as CBC and CBN. The tincture is available in an orange flavor and can be dropped under the tongue or added to food. This tincture is available for purchase online and has been tested and verified for safety.