Cannabidiol is a type of Cannabinoid which is found in the marijuana and hemp plants (cannabis plants). The good thing about CBD or cannabidiol is that it doesn’t produce any intoxication and has little to no side effects.
With the growing legalization of marijuana throughout the United States, the medical experts are taking more interest in studies and research on CBD. The use of medical cannabis is on the rise because more people are discovering its benefits and positive effects for the treatment of various medical conditions.
However, still the answer to the question ‘Will CBD help me with anxiety?’ is not so simple as there are inconsistent research findings that have affected the federal regulations in various countries. In this post we will learn about how CBD may help in anxiety and sleep control. Also, if you want to get the best and most reliable CBD products for pain management, see this link to learn about them.
What does research say about the effectiveness of CBD:
During the last decade, researchers have been more interested in studying the effects of marijuana and CBD on people. There are some studies which indicate that high doses of CBD may improve the sleeping pattern. Most of the research done on this subject is the one which is done on marijuana and not CBD alone.
A study in 2010 claimed that CBD can reduce symptoms of anxiety in people with SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder). In this study, the brain scans of the people were taken and the changes were noted. The blood flow changes were in that region of the brain that was linked to anxiety and mood changes. As a result of this study, the participants not only started feeling better after using CBD, but also their brain changed the way it used to respond to anxiety.
There was a research published in 2014, in which the behavior of animals was monitored after giving CBD to them. It was found that CBD oil had antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects on the animals. A 2011 study also proved that CBD can reduce social anxiety. In this study, the researchers used CBD to treat people who were suffering from anxiety during public speaking.
Now coming to CBD and sleep; there are many people who are using CBD to improve their sleeping habits. According to a survey, around 10% of Americans are using CBD and according to them it has helped them sleep better and longer. There are small researches too in this regard, which state that CBD can be used as a sleep aid.
A clinical professor and neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Joseph Maroon, M.D, stated that CBD has properties that can help people sleep better. The professor had researched on the effects of CBD on the brain and according to him it appears to alleviate pain and anxiety, both of which cause insomnia and make it harder to sleep.
A literature review done in 2017 on CBD and sleep hints that CBD can affect sleep by interacting with the brain receptors. Those brain receptors are actually the ones that control the sleep/wake cycle. In short, there are some research and studies that claim that CBD can help alleviate anxiety and also improve the sleep quality.
Are there any risks?
CBD is safe to use but it also depends on the method of consumption. For example, a research that states that adverse health effects of marijuana, states that cannabis can be harmful when a person smokes it. This research was done on cannabis or marijuana and not on CBD only; CBD has mostly very few or no side effects or harmful effects.
CBD oil is actually a good option for those for whom the traditional medicines aren’t working and they are looking for a better alternative to improve their health conditions. It is also good for those people who can’t bear the side effects of heavy medication. Marijuana can be harmful but if pure CBD is used or a product containing lower than 0.3% THC is used, then it is considered safe.
If you’re looking forward to buying CBD oil, you must also consider the rules and laws in your state regarding the use of CBD. Also be careful if you are using the non-prescription CBD products as they might not have FDA approval.