The fear and uncertainty caused by the current global pandemic can feel overwhelming for some, leading to an almost debilitating anxiety. This anxiety may be rooted in the fear of illness but is exacerbated by limited social contact, economic pressures, and an inability to exercise or experience the outdoors.
Anxiety can have far-reaching effects, causing physical symptoms, and has been linked to increased stress within the body.
But anxiety is treatable – both through medication and natural supplements. In fact, anxiety is by far the most common reason why people go looking to try CBD. Anecdotally, there have been many reports of individuals feeling more relaxed and calm after using cannabis.
But, due to decades of restriction, researchers have only in the past few years begun to figure out why this is so.
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a natural chemical compound extracted from the Cannabis plant and can produce numerous positive effects for health and wellness. CBD is non-intoxicating and will not result in the “high” that is commonly associated with fellow cannabis compound THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD has shown great promise in assisting with pain relief, aiding in sleep and easing anxiety, and studies have proven its efficacy as an anti-convulsant treatment for epilepsy in both people and pets.
The latest research has shown that similarly to some anti-anxiety drugs, CBD is understood to activate a type of serotonin (the chemical believed to be linked to happiness and wellbeing) receptor in the brain, which is why one of its best-known benefits is as a mood enhancer and alleviator of anxiety.
The studies have shown that cannabis does this by cutting down the connections between parts of the brain known to activate anxiety, and by altering the blood flow patterns in the parts that are associated with stress. These results indicated that not only did CBD provide relief from anxiety, but it also fundamentally changed the brain’s initial reactivity to anxious feelings.
Researchers have even claimed CBD has potential as a treatment for anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
“While there is still much more to be learned and proven, encouraging initial outcomes like these have led many to start turning to CBD as a natural alternative to pharmaceutical medication for treating everything from panic attacks to social anxiety, and more acute conditions like depression,” says Goodleaf founder Warren Schewitz.
For more information visit goodleaf.co.za
