A need for stress relief is at an all-time high.  During one's lifetime, one in every four Americans will suffer from some type of anxiety disorder. 

Chronically high levels of cortisol and other stress hormones wreak havoc on a human body not-prepared for a perpetual state of panic. 

With negative symptoms tacked onto the anxiety-like muscular tension, it's not wonder why so many are looking for a looking from their daily anxiety-inducing symptoms.

One of the most common reasons people start taking CBD oil is to reduce their anxiety or manage their stress. 

In a world with anxiety still on the rise, it's easy to see why we're finally looking for solutions outside of prescription drugs.

While we see CBD as an anxiety treatment mostly in anecdotal evidence, it begs the question if there's some science to back up CBD oil as an effective tool for stress, anxiety, or both.

What is CBD Oil?

Extracted from the hemp plant, cannabidiol oil, or CBD oil, is rich in cannabinoid compounds that can bind to certain receptors in the brain and throughout the body. 

These receptors are part of our endocannabinoid system, which we'll touch on in just a moment.

The important thing to remember is that CBD does not bind to your receptors like other cannabinoids. 

In contrast, THC, the only other abundant compound in both hemp and cannabis plants have the ability to bind to receptors in a manner that causes psychoactive experiences.

CBD Tinctures can also be added to food or a beverage; some even use it as a cooking oil under the right conditions.

what is the endocannabinoid system?

CBD oil and other cannabidiol products might help with anxiety, anxiety disorders, and other anxiety disorder-related symptoms.

CBD, Anxiety, and sleep - a large case study

While observing a clinical population, researchers made an objective to determine if CBD helps improve anxiety or sleep. 

The large, retrospective case series involved 103 adult patients through monthly documentation of sleep quality and anxiety levels. 

72 of these adults presented anxiety as their primary concern while 25 presented with poor sleep.

Within the first month, they observed a decrease in 57 patients' anxiety scores that did not increase again during the study duration, roughly 79.2% of the overall study population. 

In all but 3 patients, CBD was well-tolerated.  The case series concludes that CBD could provide some benefit for anxiety-related disorders.

cannabidiol as an anxiolytic alternative

Anxiolytic drugs are used to reduce anxiety in patients, but one assessment compiled studies and observed if CBD could be used as a similar mechanism to treat anxiety in the same way. 

Using healthy volunteers and studies involving animal models of anxiety, they were able to clearly identify CBD's anxiolytic-like properties. 

While the precise mechanisms involved in CBD's anxiolytic effects and the optimal therapeutic windows are yet to be determined, future clinical trials are needed for patients with PTSD, social anxiety order, OCD, panic disorder, and other anxiety disorders.

Managing public speaking with CBD

Another assessment in 2011 held the same conclusion as above.  One of the most common anxiety conditions, General Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), can impair a social life and make the day-to-day activities extremely difficult for its victims. 

Looking to CBD for its anxiolytic-like effects, this study compared the effects of public speaking on healthy control patients and treatment-native SAD patients that received either a placebo or single dose of CBD.

In a double-blind, randomized design, 24 never-treated SAD patients were either given 600mg CBD oil or a placebo an hour and a half before the public speaking test. 

The 24 healthy control patients took their public speaking tests while this was happening, receiving no medication beforehand. 

At 6 different time points during the public speaking test, each participant had their blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance, Negative Self-Statement scale, and Visual Analogue Mood scale measured. 

The results were then submitted to a repeated-measures analysis for variance.

The results?  The SAD patients that took CBD responded in a similar way to the healthy control patients - meaning reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort. 

The place SAD patients presented higher levels of discomfort, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and alarm.

Most interestingly, the placebo group experienced a significant increase in their Negative Self-Statement scale, while it was almost abolished for the CBD group.

managing anxiety and ptsd with cbd

As cannabidiol continues to garner national attention, we're happy to see more clinical trials come out on the matter. 

With easier access to information about the topic, we're able to help educate more on the therapeutic properties CBD has to offer; and a 2016 case report on the effectiveness of the compound for pediatric anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms of a PTSD disorder shows promising results on the matter.

The case reported presented a 10 year-old girl who experienced minimal parental supervision under the age of five and was a victim of sexual abuse. 

Anxiety and sleep disorders were present in the patient, leading to a demonstration of adverse behaviors and an impaired ability to focus.

An increasingly popular treatment for sleep issues and anxiety, the 10 year-old's parents tested a trial of CBD oil - and the results were substantial. 

The girl experienced a steady improvement in the quantity and quality of her sleep and maintained a steady decrease in her anxiety - a monumental win for CBD proponents on the compound's efficacy as an alternative solution to improving sleep, reducing anxiety, and managing the associated PTSD.

Using CBD oil on animals to paint the narrative

Though more human clinical trials are vital for CBD's long-term success, we've long since regarded findings from rodents and other animals. 

A review recently discussed the data compiled from 32 different rodent studies, all centered around CBD oil to manage anxiety and relieve stress - with 31 of the 32 studies proving to be successful.

The test subjects were put in stressful environments to measure their anxiety levels appropriately. 

For example, many of the rodent studies examined mice in a fight-or-flight situation. 

The mice that were given what would be the equivalent of a 20mg dose of CBD for a 150-pound person showed the ability to assess the environment and map out a strategic way to run away or escape instead of panicking.

can you look to cbd oil to manage anxiety & stress?

The endocannabinoid system can influence or interact with many different bodily functions; with more than 65 molecular targets throughout the body for CBD alone. 

By stimulating neural regeneration, neurotransmitter systems, and more more, CBD oil can help the body regulate its own chemicals and hormones better with daily and consistent use.

If you are suffering from an anxiety disorder or experiencing a stressful situation, consider looking to an alternative solution such as our CBD Tinctures before you opt for a pharmaceutical option. 

The goal is to help your body assess and treat itself, rather than relying on external substances to do so - often with an array of adverse side effects.

Thanks for reading and as always, Envy Yourself.