CBD Oil and Anxiety, Better Mood
Mood issues are experienced by most people at various times of their lives. Anxiety is a normal and natural response to stress and can cause feelings of worry, unease and tension. This physiological response can be associated with more excitability in areas of the brain that control emotions.
From the psychological perspective, an anxiety disorder is often seen as a distorted pattern of thinking and behavior that has developed over time as an adaptive response. Many experts believe that being in a constant state of ‘stress’ can be at the root of chronic anxiety and low mood.
There are also physical factors that can contribute to anxiety and worsen it such as poor nutrition; B Vitamin deficiencies and low magnesium are particularly linked to anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain. Lack of physical exercise, not enough sleep, and illness can also contribute to anxiety.
Clinical anxiety can show up as:
- Social anxiety and phobias
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Panic disorder such as agoraphobia
- Mild to moderate depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Insomnia
While we don’t normally think of anxiety as a desirable thing, it’s actually an important adaptive response that can help us cope with real or perceived threats to our (or a loved one’s) safety and welfare. This response (called the fight or flight response) can help us recognize and avert potential threats. This can also help inspire us to take action and improve our situation (i.e work harder, pay bills, improve relationships/self, etc.). However, if we don’t manage these natural responses effectively, they can become dysfunctional and impact our relationships and work. Over time, this can lead to actual clinical anxiety-related disorders as mentioned above. We’ve all heard the saying, “stress kills”, and this is because long term stress responses can contribute to dangerous medical conditions such as hypertension.
Big Pharma has created many drugs to treat anxiety and stress symptoms, but they may have unwanted side effects and many are also addictive. Other lifestyle changes can also help reduce anxiety and boost your mood such as meditation, massage or other natural body therapies, yoga, exercise, good self-care etc.
Many people are switching to more natural methods of dealing with anxiety and stress symptoms such as Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum CBD Oil from hemp. CBD works to ease the signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression as it interacts with more than 65 areas in the body. Research studies conducted show that CBD calms anxiety by improving neural regeneration and improves the function of neurotransmitter systems. It can also regulate our natural Endocannabinoid system which can become dysregulated from chronic stress.
Both Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum CBD Oil are high in CBD. Full spectrum has all the cannabinoids present which work together syngergistically and has very low THC (less than 0.3%). Broad Spectrum CBD Oil has all of the cannabinoids except THC, which is completely removed.
It is widely known that anxiety and depression have a link to serotonin production in the brain. CBD actually binds to these serotonin receptors, specifically the 5-HT1A receptor, which is linked to anxiety disorders. By binding to these receptors, CBD may ease anxiety just as well, if not better than many prescribed anti-anxiety medications. One important thing to mention is that using Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum CBD oil may help your mood, but if you’re on prescription medications you could also experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking your prescription medications. Many people find they need medications less and less once taking CBD Oil regularly, but it’s wise to decrease your medications slowly and under the care and advice of your physician and/or pharmacist.
