Fear is a broad term. First, fear describes the state that occurs as a natural effect of self-protection in dangerous situations.
But how much fear is appropriate and healthy? This is a difficult question that, if at all, is difficult to answer.
Many people suffer from anxiety in situations that do not pose a real threat — but those affected perceive it as such. Many of those affected shy away from taking psychotropic drugs and would wish for a more digestible medication.
For the given occasion, many are asking whether CBD oil you can find at JustBob can help against anxiety — this connection has been studied for over a decade.
CBD works against anxiety
A case study showed that the additional administration of cannabidiol improved anxiety in patients with anxiety disorders. In another study, people with social phobia were given a single dose of cannabidiol or a placebo. Fear of public speaking was lower with cannabidiol. A single dose of cannabidiol improved anxiety in people with social phobia.
However, before one can assume that cannabidiol can be used routinely as a drug for the treatment of anxiety disorders, the substance still has to pass the “moose test”. That means multiple double-blind studies need to be conducted, with hundreds of patients receiving cannabidiol or placebo for several weeks. Only if there is a significant difference to the dummy drug would it be proven that cannabidiol can also be approved as an anxiety drug.
Since March 2017, doctors in Germany have been allowed to prescribe cannabis products on prescription in certain cases. These ordinances represent a special case. Before a medicinal product can be brought onto the market in Germany, it usually has to undergo a series of tests. In years of tests, it must first be found out whether it does not have excessive side effects. Then the effect must be tested in double-blind studies in comparison with placebos and other established drugs. Only then can approval be given by the European authorities. Finally, the Federal Joint Committee must agree.
With cannabis, surprisingly, an entirely different path was chosen. Although there have not yet been sufficient double-blind studies for any disease and the numerous safety tests that have to be carried out with normal medication because of the possible side effects were not available, it was decided in the Bundestag that those with health insurance are entitled to a supply of cannabis—in the form of dried flowers or extracts or the form of drugs with the active ingredients dronabinol or nabilone - if a recognized service that corresponds to the medical standard is not available.
CBD for anxiety disorders
CBD has long been said to have a calming effect. CBD helps many people fall asleep or is against headaches. But can CBD relieve anxiety?
This question has been addressed in various studies. One of those, which was published in a renowned specialist journal, examined the effects of CBD on people with social phobia. This type of anxiety disorder makes sufferers suffer from the presence of other people.
You feel uncomfortable and are afraid of being perceived in a way that makes you uncomfortable. It is assumed that between 2-10% of the population suffer from social anxiety, although the differentiation is difficult due to the wide range of manifestations.
CBD against anxiety and phobias
The study in question examined the effect of CBD on a group of people with social anxiety when they were intentionally placed in a stressful situation using what is known as the simulation public speaking test (SPST).
This established test simulates a situation in which the patient has to speak in front of an audience. People with social phobias often feel very uncomfortable in such situations, which is expressed through fear, impaired cognitive abilities, and discomfort.
These factors were measured after patients received either CBD or a placebo before testing. The results were impressive and were able to show that taking CBD immediately before the problem situation led to the alleviation of all typical symptoms.
CBD for anxiety disorders: an acute efficacy observed
One overview study from 2015 reviewed previous evidence from animal and human studies examining the effect of CBD on anxiety disorders.
The researchers concluded that CBD has a positive effect on various anxiety disorders, including panic disorders, social phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders in the preclinical and clinical study environment. These effects are believed to be due to the action of CBD on the serotonin receptor 5-H1A and the endocannabinoid receptor attributed to CB1.
Most of the studies undertaken to date have examined the acute effect of CBD on anxiety disorders, with promising results.
- Acute anxiety in social phobias could be alleviated with CBD
- CBD acts on serotonin receptors and endocannabinoid receptors
- CBD Studies in PTSD, OCD, Phobias, Panic Disorders
- CBD has a good safety profile and is well tolerated
The effect of long-term CBD on anxiety disorders is the subject of current research. In addition to the many positive effects on acute anxiety, a very good safety profile for CBD has also been described in clinical studies. Compared to other anxiolytic substances, it has few side effects and is well tolerated.
