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CBD oil for panic attacks: can it help?

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Estimated reading time: 9 minutes



Introduction

What is CBD

Would you believe us if we told you that one of the most effective and efficient ways to reduce anxiety levels and panic attacks was found naturally occurring in the cannabis plant…? That's right.

Scientists Discover All-Natural Way to Massively Reduce and Occurrence of Panic Attacks

For as long as anyone can really remember, consuming , either by smoking or eating it, has been associated with anxiety. Consuming cannabis recreationally is known to have caused, in an albeit small number of people, a level of paranoia, fear and anxiety.

So how can the exact same plant be used to combat these exact same feelings?

If you want to understand why scientists are now backing CBD in the fight against anxiety, then read on to find out.


A Tale of Two Sides

Why is it that for some people, cannabis symbolises relaxation and chilled out evenings, while for others it is wide-eyed paranoia and twitchy anxiety?

The answer lies in the scientific composition of the cannabis plant.

What comes as a surprise to a lot of people is that there are no two cannabis plants that are chemically the same. Each plant varies in levels of certain chemicals that affect the body and brain in different ways.

The main two that we are interested in for the purposes of this discussion are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

We know that both are a bit of a mouthful, so we will be referring to them as THC and CBD from here on out (for our sakes as well as yours).

CBD vs THC – Twins but Not Identical…

The-Real-CBD-CBD-vs.-THC

Even though CBD and THC are both extracted from the same plant, and despite remarkably similar chemical structures, they could not be more different as substances. This section might seem a little “sciencey”, but please bear with us. We feel it's important to understand exactly how CBD differs from THC and the effects this has on anxiety and panic attacks.

Tetrahydrocannabinol aka THC

THC is the psychoactive substance found within the cannabis plant. The chemical that gets you “high” when you take it. When people consume cannabis recreationally, either by smoking or eating, the high they feel comes from the THC found within the cannabis.

The high is a result of the THC activating your endocannabinoid receptors in your brain. One part of your brain that has these receptors is the amygdala.

Your amygdala is the part of your brain that controls your response to fear. And you guessed it; this is why some people experience feelings of anxiety, paranoia and panic.

On the flip side, THC can also activate the receptors in your brain associated with pleasure and relaxation.

Cannabidiol aka CBD

CBD on the other hand is not psychoactive. This is because CBD does not activate these same receptors. In fact, research has shown that CBD acts as a blocker to these same receptors. As a result of consuming CBD, any THC you would consume (whether it be the trace amounts in the products or otherwise) would have a much lesser effect.

CBD is almost always extracted from the hemp plant. plants are “bred” to produce maximum levels of CBD with minimal levels of THC.  So, consuming CBD, on its own, will not cause a high – unless you count feeling high on life from all the wonderful benefits it has!


CBD for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

So, hopefully by now you can better understand the difference between CBD and THC, as well as the effects that they both have on the brain. We wanted to make this clarification for you, because if there's one thing those of us with anxiety don't need, it's more anxiety.

Hopefully, by making the differences clear, you won't be apprehensive about experiencing any side effects when taking CBD.


What's Science Saying?

CBD research

Scientific research, on both animals and humans, is now proving what we already know. And that is that consuming CBD reduces anxiety levels. This is likely due to the blocking effect that CBD has on the receptors in your brain connected to fear and anxiety, as mentioned above.

Another possible reason for CBD's ability to reduce your levels of anxiety and panic attacks is its proven ability to help regulate cortisol levels. Cortisol is essentially your bodies very own stress hormone. It's easy to see why and anxiety go hand in hand. By helping your body to control excessive cortisol levels and the feeling of stress, you can remove the inevitable anxiety that would follow.

As a result, more and more people are turning to CBD as an alternative or supplement to traditional anxiety medications like SSRI's.


Prescription Medication & CBD – Does it Have to be a Choice?

One of the main reasons people are beginning to move away from traditional antianxiety medications, like SSRI's, is the side effects. Many people experience negative side effects when taking any anti-depressants, even if those side effects are reliance or tolerance after continued use. Unfortunately, many people experience worse side effects as a result of these kinds of medications, which only end up making their situation worse.

Unlike almost all prescription drugs, CBD has never been shown to have any negative side effects. Nor has it ever produced or withdrawal when stopping. The World Health Organisation has reported that “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential” and that “reported adverse effects may be as a result of drug-drug interactions between CBD and patients' existing medications”. 

So, if you are currently taking antianxiety medication, it would always be worth consulting your doctor before taking CBD. Very few people ever experience side effects, even when taking CBD alongside existing medication, but you can never be too safe where your health is involved.

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How Long Does CBD Take to Work?

CBD will start to take effect in very little time at all. In one study conducted in 2018 participants were given CBD 90 minutes prior to speaking in public. They measured that those participants who took CBD experienced significantly reduced anxiety levels compared to those who didn't.

Unfortunately, most people who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks can't predict when their symptoms will set in. This is why we would recommend taking CBD daily.

By regularly taking CBD as part of your daily routine, you can ensure that it has a lasting effect throughout the day. As the saying goes – prevention is better than cure. By taking CBD and encouraging your body to naturally balance your hormone levels throughout the day you can help to reduce the frequency of anxiety or panic attacks.

CBD and side effects: are there any?

Extensive information about CBD long CBD takes to work

So, What's the Catch?

Honestly, there is none. As with all things, though, there are individual differences. Some people may experience life changing positive effects from taking a very low dose of CBD per day, whereas others may find they need more. We always recommend starting at a low dose in order to find the balance that is right for you.

With more recognition finally being given to CBD's ability to alleviate anxiety and other panic disorders naturally and safely, we hope that more people will become aware of this incredible cannabinoid.

If you're still feeling unsure about whether CBD is the right product for you, then please do get in touch. At The Real CBD, we are genuinely passionate about helping people and have a great team who can give you professional and confidential advice. 

Whether you have questions about our products or even if you just want to share your stories about how CBD has changed your life already, please do pick up the phone or email us. We look forward to hearing from you soon.


References

Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. Bergamaschi MM, Queiroz RH, Chagas MH, de Oliveira DC, De Martinis BS, Kapczinski F, Quevedo J, Roesler R, Schröder N, Nardi AE, Martín-Santos R, Hallak JE, Zuardi AW, Crippa JANeuropsychopharmacology. 2011 May; 36(6):1219-26.

Effects of ipsapirone and cannabidiol on human experimental anxiety: Zuardi AW, Cosme RA, Graeff FG, Guimarães FSJ Psychopharmacol. 1993 Jan; 7(1 Suppl):82-8.

Evidences for the Anti-panic Actions of Cannabidiol: Vanessa P. Soares and Alline C. Campos. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412699/

Inverted U-Shaped Dose-Response Curve of the Anxiolytic Effect of Cannabidiol during Public Speaking in Real Life: Zuardi AW, Rodrigues NP, Silva AL, et al. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:259. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00259

World Health Organisation (WHO) – Cannabidiol Pre- Review Report.: Available at https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.2_CBD.pdf



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