CBD is a naturally occurring substance used in oils and edibles to help calm and relax, and a bit of digging online led me to realise that one of the products I tested was a chemical compound, CBD, which stands for cannabidiol. It is a combination of THC, a psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, and the cannabinoid CBD. A study comparing the effects of THC and CBD found that while THC increases anxiety by activating the neurotransmitters involved in fighting – or flight response – the CBD suppresses the nervous system response associated with sudden increases in heart rate and breathing. In other words, CBD is the healthier and more calming of the two drugs. CBD has helped me profoundly. CBD is ideal for people who want to relax and unwind. CBD’s most commonly reported effects were a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar levels, as well as a reduction in anxiety and depression.
In small doses, CBD can actually have the opposite effect, namely to promote alertness, but in high doses it can cause incredible calmness and sleep. Hemp CBD oil does not normally contain enough THC to reach high levels, and it creates a stronger sense of calm in people who are afraid of too much THC. I count myself in that category – I want the benefits but don’t want to get high. Scientists have demonstrated that too much THC can overstimulate the CB1 receptors of the body, which can directly or indirectly counteract paranoia and other side effects of CBD in the first place.
Different strains of cannabis have different concentrations of molecules, which is why they can cause different side effects. There are a number of glowing reports of people who have successfully treated their anxiety with CBD oil. In a recent study 32 different rodent studies were discussed, which investigated the effects of CBD on anxiety, and many of them showed highly useful results.
After trying anti-anxiety drugs unsuccessfully, I searched online for a more effective and safer alternative, but to no avail. Eventually a friend advised I try CBD, like she had, and the results were terrific.
The good news is that CBD has a reputation for promoting relaxation without causing sedation. CBD, a compound found in hemp and cannabis, has received a lot of press in recent years because it can help treat a variety of conditions. What makes CBD so attractive is that it doesn’t make you high because it’s not technically psychoactive, though it can affect things like anxiety. CBD is so effective that the Food and Drug Administration has approved only one other drug, Epidiolex, which is approved for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy. The other drug is CBD, which is used to treat seizures. Beyond the physical tests, animal models and some human studies suggest that CBD can greatly help with anxiety.
We all know that cannabis (or more precisely hemp) is derived from hemp, which means that you do not get high with CBD. But did you know that CBD offers the same benefits as THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis), but without the high? I suspect that the loss of concentration is due to the lack of THC in the CBD products as well as the low THC content of hemp. By feeling good without feeling high, CBD helps me.
