While we do not typically think of anxiety as a desirable feeling, it is actually an adaptive response that helps us anticipate threats brought forth upon ourselves or our loved ones. This natural coping method has been in the making since we as humans have existed and it is crucial that we understand the benefits it can provide such as motivation to better our current state. However, if we do not manage these natural responses effectively, anxiety and stress can become dysfunctional and heavily impact our work and relationships.  This can lead to clinically distinguishable anxiety and stress related disorders. We've all heard the saying: "stress kills." This is unfortunately true. 

With 18% of adults in the United States suffering from a stress / anxiety induced disorder, understand that you are a not alone in this fight. In response, big pharma has developed numerous drugs to treat anxiety and stress related disorders, from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, Xanax, and Valium. Some of these drugs are effective for a few but pose numerous health threats as well as adverse side effects while not even guaranteeing an effective solution for all. Other than dangerous side effects, some SSRIs pose a highly addictive quality. 

What Can you do to naturally combat stress and anxiety?

We all have a chemical in our body called anandamide which is much like a hormone. Fortunately the system we referenced in an earlier article, the Endocannabinoid System, oversees our neurotransmitters and our hormones. Think of it like a control center and anandamide decides the feeling of well-being in said system or your stress controller. CBD manages to touch the exact same receptors as  anandamide but in a much more delicate sense. Not only do we feel a little bit of a mood elevating effect, our receptors become much more sensitive to  anandamide allowing us to feel well naturally.