CBD has shown to help with a variety of physical and mental health issues. CBD binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors on the central nervous system which helps regulate moods and inflammation in the human brain.
When CBD was given to patients dealing with anxiety, it was seen to decrease anxiety significantly and sustained throughout the duration of the study, which is consistent with existing preclinical and clinical data. CBD has suggested to be neuroprotective, antidepressive and has anxiolytic benefits which help decrease anxiety. Plasma cortisol levels were decreased significantly suggesting it plays a role in reducing the stress hormone when we experience heightened anxiety or stress.
Several human studies have seen positive results in CBD to treat anxiety and the effect it has on the amygdala in brain imaging studies. The amygdala is the region of the brain that is primarily associated with emotional processes. When CBD is administered, the amygdala showed a decrease in activation which may be how anxiety is decreased.
In another study, patients took CBD during a public speaking test and noticed a reduction in anxiety, cognitive impairment as well as discomfort during speech performance.
Studies suggest that long term use had no adverse effects within the 10 mg/d to 400 mg/d and no toxic effects on patients. Besides concerns of abuse, major complications are limited as there has been no reports of lethal overdose. Although more studies need to be done to fully understand how CBD works to combat anxiety.
Source:
Oberbarnscheidt, T., & Miller, N. S. (2020). The Impact of Cannabidiol on Psychiatric and Medical Conditions. Journal of clinical medicine research, 12(7), 393–403. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr4159
Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041