CBD for Anxiety Relief: Backed by Science or Mere Placebo?

Anxiety disorders impact over 40 million adults in the United States, with nearly half of those individuals also having depression. Chances are you or someone you know has experienced anxiety and for many it can be debilitating. The modern world's escalating stress levels have only exacerbated this issue, leading to an increasing number of individuals reporting depressive episodes and heightened anxiety each year. Unfortunately, anxiety has become a common struggle, forcing many to seek alternative options to pharmaceuticals, one of those being CBD.  

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has gained popularity over the years for an array of reasons, including many people stating that it helps reduce their anxiety and stress levels. Many swear by its efficacy, but the question remains: is this relief genuine or merely a placebo effect? Let’s delve deeper.

First discovered in 1940 by chemist Roger Adams, CBD has been studied extensively, including its potential to reduce anxiety and stress. Scientific studies have validated the claims of many patients, demonstrating that CBD has the potential to reduce anxiety for some individuals. In fact, CBD targets the same receptor, 5HT1-A, that pharmaceutical anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications also do. This serotonin receptor is integral in controlling mood, cognition, and memory, as well as modulating the body's response to stress. Scientists have found that through this interaction CBD has the potential to alleviate anxiety and reduce the amount of stress one feels.

Anxiety and depression stem from a complex set of risk factors, including brain chemistry, personality traits, life events, and genetics. These biological, psychological, and social sources of distress not only trigger anxiety and depression but can also induce long-term changes in brain function, altering the activity of neural circuits. Current medications designed to assist those with anxiety provide relief to only about 60% of patients and are often accompanied by a host of undesirable side effects. In contrast, research has discovered CBD offers a plant-based alternative that may help those with anxiety, without the side effects commonly associated with anti-anxiety pharmaceuticals. 

When considering trying CBD for anxiety, it is important to choose the right form for your needs. Ingestible products, such as edibles or tinctures, provide sustained relief throughout the day, typically lasting 6 to 8 hours with the effects felt in 60-180 minutes after ingestion. For ingestible products start with a low dose and increase as needed for desired effects. For those requiring immediate relief, smoking CBD is a viable option, as the effects are felt within 5 to 10 minutes after inhalation. Keeping a journal to track your feelings and responses throughout the day can help you determine the most effective regimen and products for your unique situation.

Anxiety can be life altering and many individuals with anxiety are left untreated. Many have reported feeling relief from their anxiety when using CBD and research absolutely backs their claims. With so many people impacted by anxiety and depression, there is an immediate need for more clinical trials to explore the full potential of CBD as a medicinal treatment. The acceptance of CBD as a viable option for anxiety and depression could provide much-needed relief for millions, marking a crucial step forward in mental health care. While CBD may not be able to help everyone, and there is a need for anti-anxiety pharmaceutical medications for some, the potential of CBD as a natural plant-derived option cannot be ignored.