Early research showed indications that a hemp-based product, such as CBD oil, can help relieve anxiety. CBD is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in hemp plants.
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another type of cannabinoid, CBD does not cause the feeling of intoxication that can be associated with hemp. Learn more about the potential benefits of CBD oil for anxiety, and whether it could be a treatment option for you.
CBD for anxiety attacks
CBD oil is believed to work with a receptor in the brain called CB1. Receptors are small proteins attached to cells that receive chemical signals from different stimuli and help the cells respond.
Exactly how CBD affects CB1 is not fully understood. However, it is believed to alter serotonin signaling. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in the body that plays a role in mental health. Low serotonin levels are common in depression. Not having enough serotonin can also cause anxiety in some people.
The conventional treatment for low serotonin levels is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Zoloft and Prozac are SSRIs.
For some people, CBD may be an alternative to SSRIs for managing anxiety. However, you should talk to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.
THC is known to have a calming effect on the human body, proving to provide relief from anxiety attacks. This occurs when the anandamide in our body reacts with the THC in hemp. However, recent studies show that a different cannabinoid, known as CBD, also has a miraculous effect on anxiety.
In 2015, a study by Esther M. Blessing, Maria M. Steenkamp, Jorge Manzanares, and Charles R. Marmar (Neurotherapeutics, 2015 Oct;12(4):825-836) concluded that CBD can be used as a generalized treatment for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders when administered acutely.
Other studies have found an indirect connection to panic attacks through anxiety research. In a small study of 40 people, CBD was found to reduce anxiety in people undergoing stressful situations.
CBD oil for flight and travel anxiety
To fly or not to fly? For many of us, this is a rhetorical question, obviously, we want to fly! However, for many people, it is not such an easy decision to make.
Pre-flight anxiety is a problem that affects many more people than you might think. Thousands of people are terrified at the thought of being 10000 feet up in a metal container full of people they don’t know and with no escape.
They may look fine on the outside, but on the inside, anxiety begins to take over the closer they get to board the plane, initially, the tremors appear, then the tightness in the chest followed by uncontrollable breathing. Please take a look at this post for additional tips and information.
Sounds awful, doesn’t it? Fortunately, we may have found a solution with CBD, so let’s take a look.
CBD products, such as oils and creams, have become quite popular in recent years, thanks to countless positive testimonials from people all over the world and various research that has proven their efficacy and safety for certain conditions.
