Anxiety disorders affect some 40 million adults in the US every year. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic currently wreaking havoc worldwide, there is a real danger of that figure increasing in 2020.
Without a doubt, hearing or watching news about the rising number of infections and deaths can increase anxiety levels. Losing jobs the way millions have during this pandemic can make people worry about their future. The realization that no vaccine or cure for COVID-19 is close on the horizon can send one into panic mode. The stay-at-home orders state governments have issued aren’t helping anxiety either.
Traditionally, treatment for anxiety consists of psychological counseling and therapy as well as medication. However, lockdowns and strict social distancing measures are making it difficult for patients to see their counselors and therapists.
Fortunately, there are alternative options that could prove to be helpful, especially during this pandemic.
One of those options is cannabidiol (CBD), which is earning a reputation as an effective treatment for anxiety and several other medical conditions. Search for CBD oil online and you will find numerous CBD products available in a wide variety of forms.
How CBD May Treat Anxiety
CBD is a cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp. Unlike its cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not make you intoxicated.
How CBD treats anxiety has not yet been definitively established, but there are some studies that show its potential as an anxiety treatment.
A 2011 study, for example, revealed that CBD (600 mg) reduced anxiety levels in people with social anxiety disorder who were about to engage in a simulation public speaking test.[1]
Addditonal pre-clinical research has shown that CBD can also be effective in reducing anxiety in people who have mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD.[2]
Other Uses for CBD Oil
More scientific studies are needed before CBD can be an approved treatment for anxiety. Hope among CBD users, however, is high since the US FDA approved cannabidiol as a treatment for two rare forms of epilepsy. Epidiolex®, a highly purified form of cannabidiol, treats seizures caused by Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Larger scientific studies may show the true potential of CBD to help more people, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.
Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/statue-art-sculpture-metal-5235587/
References
- Bergamaschi MM, et al. Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011;36(6):1219‐
- Blessing EM, et al. Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):825‐
Lauren Klesser is the Content Marketing Strategist for Half Day CBD, a thoughtfully-curated brand of organic hemp-derived products like CBD oils, CBD vape, and CBD gummies, which are designed to help manage pain, anxiety, stress, and sleep issues. In her spare time, she plays axe throwing and escape games with her family and friends.
