As more states in the U.S. legalize cannabis, the research on the benefits of this multifaceted plant is surging forward. CBD is a marijuana derivative that many people who suffer from anxiety are using to find relief. CBD or cannabidiol is a compound derived from the cannabis plant. It's made up of chemicals called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are substances that bind to receptors in the brain and produce various effects. For example, the cannabinoid THC is the substance responsible for the high that cannabis users feel when smoking the marijuana plant. CBD, on the other hand, has been shown to produce a calming effect when it binds with brain receptors. Here are a few of the known benefits of CBD as an anxiety treatment.

Anxiolytic Effect

Researchers have shown that CBD has anxiolytic properties that make it ideal for anxiety treatment. Anxiolytic substances are those that reduce anxiety through psychoactive compounds. These substances are sometimes referred to as minor tranquilizers because of their effect on the brain. However, many substances with an initial anxiolytic effect also contain a delayed anxiogenic effect. Anxiogenic substances induce anxiety. One of the main benefits of CBD over other anxiolytic compounds is that, as one study has shown, it contains a notable lack of anxiogenic effects normally associated with anxiolytic substances. In short, CBD provides anxiety relief without complicating side effects.

Won't Get You High

For many people suffering from anxiety, one of the major benefits of CBD over traditional cannabis is that it won't get you high. Unless it's combined with the cannabinoid THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD doesn't contain the psychotropic effects that people associate with regular cannabis. For anxiety sufferers, the psychotropic effects of cannabis can often exacerbate anxiety so CBD offers a safe alternative.

Can Treat Extreme Anxiety as It Does PTSD

One of the breakthrough benefits of CBD is its use as a treatment for PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. One 2018 study by two Brazilian researchers demonstrated that CBD could be used as an effective therapeutic treatment for disorders related to inappropriate responses to traumatic memories with fewer side effects than traditional pharmacological therapy.

Variety of Intake Methods

Another benefit of CBD for anxiety is that it is available in an astounding variety of forms, which allows for a wide choice in how CBD is used. For example, CBD is available in many traditional medicinal forms such as oils, pills, and tinctures. There are even CBD transdermal patches for absorbing CBD through the skin. But it's also available in a wide variety of non-traditional forms such as vape pens, gummy bears, balms, honey, coffee, and even salad dressing. 

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