Can You Take CBD Edibles for Anxiety or Stress?

Mental disorders have become an everyday problem in the current world. People take different forms of medication to suppress these mental illnesses, although such medication could have negative effects on the body. However, CBD provides a natural stress and anxiety management alternative with little or no side effects. The current article explores the possibility of using CBD edibles like gummies, capsules, and oil for stress and anxiety relief.

Clinical trials in recent years show that CBD can treat mental disorders like anxiety and stress and prevent them from manifesting into adverse mental disorders like depression. The cannabis derivative does not cause dependency like THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) causes euphoric feelings like confusion. Fortunately, CBD edibles are non-intoxicating products that combat stress and anxiety and dispense other medical and therapeutic benefits. While ingestible cannabis products are safe for consumption, they may also have negative effects when used wrongly.

What Are Anxiety aAnd Stress?

According to Levitt & Eugene (2015), anxiety is a normal emotion that kicks in to help avoid danger. However, the feeling could become excessive, causing constant fear and tension that result in disorders such as GAD (Generalized anxiety disorder), panic disorder, specific phobia, agoraphobia, social phobia, and separation anxiety. An excessive feeling of tension characterizes the mental conditions. If left untreated, stress and anxiety could lead to chronic mental issues like memory loss. Stress is mostly a result of anxiety, characterized by excessive negative thoughts flashing in your mind. If not treated, it can result in depression.

What Are CBD Edibles?

According to Marinotti et al. (2020), CBD is a naturally healthy compound in the Cannabis Sativa plant. In the USA, most companies manufacture the compound from the hemp plant, which contains a high concentration of CBD; the cultivation of the cannabis strain is legal under federal laws. CBD compounds are diluted upon extraction by carrier oils such as MCT oil to form different CBD oil potency. Afterward, the oil is added to gummies, baked goods, brownies, sweats, and beverages to make CBD edibles. 

What Is the Advantage of Using CBD Edibles for Anxiety or Stress?

Hamzah et al. (2018) explained that CBD oil is available over the counter in various products such as topical, capsules, soft gels, vape pens, and edibles, among others. But, CBD edibles have proven effective in tackling negative emotions such as anxiety because;

• They can mask the unpleasant taste associated with cannabis products; the taste is the main roadblock for people using CBD for stress.
• They allow you to harness the calming effects of CBD with delicious flavor and taste
• You can easily make the edible at home by adding a few drops of CBD oil to food or beverages.

What Are the Disadvantages of Using CBD Edibles for Anxiety?

When you vape CBD oil or take it sublingually, you can feel the calming effects within 5 minutes of application. However, CBD edibles undergo digestive and metabolic breakdowns before being incorporated into the bloodstream. Therefore, to relax your mind, you must wait for 1 to 2. Similarly, some compounds may get lost during the process.

Benefits of CBD Edibles in Tackling Anxiety or Stress

After consuming the edibles, their molecules are incorporated into the bloodstream, interacting with the endocannabinoid systems (ECS) and brain neurons to relieve anxiety or stress (Corroon & Felice,2019). Notably, the ECS is responsible for regulating body imbalances such as pain, stress, and appetite, among other functions. CBD increases the production of 2- Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which binds with cannabinoid receptors in the brain to induce calming effects. Sometimes, the cannabis derivative interacts with brain neurons to reduce oxidative activities among brain cells, thus hindering negative thoughts.

The edibles can combat stress and anxiety in the following way:

Treating Pain and Inflammation

One of the causes of stress and anxiety is pain resulting from the immune system triggering excessive inflammations even when there is no actual pain. For example, chronic pain associated with arthritis can trigger anxiety. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the occurrence of inflammation which causes tissue damage and pain. Interaction with ECS helps the body to reduce pain perception by the nervous system (Evans, 2020).

Increases Production of Stress Relief Hormone

When you are stressed, your brain neurons decrease the release of the mood-boosting hormone called serotonin. Deficiency of the hormone results in an increase in anxiety and stress. CBD interacts with brain cannabinoid receptors (CB1 in the central nervous system) to produce more serotonin (Corroon & Felice,2019).

Facilitate the Release of Cortisol

Cortisol is the primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland to help your body in tissue repair. Under stress or fear, the adrenal gland releases excess steroid hormone, resulting in increased blood pressure, heartbeat, and anxiety. Ingesting highly potent edibles can reduce the production of cortisol and lower stress (Evans, 2020). 

Provides Quality Sleep

 Anxiety and depression are highly related to sleeping problems like insomnia. Shannon et al. (2016) explained that Infusing CBD in your foods or drinks before you sleep can promote a calming and relaxing effect that makes you fall asleep quickly. Additionally, it keeps one fresh and alerts during the day, thus stabilizing sleeping patterns.

Used in Stress Therapy

 Therapy provides a platform to share your issues with a professional. However, additional supplements are required for better results. 

CBD edibles are a better option due to their capacity to alleviate chronic diseases like post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD). For instance, in cancer treatment, CBD gummies are administered alongside psychiatric care drugs for cancer to reduce medicinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting that contribute to most cancer patients giving up on medication.

Conclusion

Anxiety and stress can lead to self-denial, social isolation, and chronic depression, making you unable to work, study, or perform daily activities. Fortunately, medical studies show that CBD edibles can help manage mental illnesses without negative effects. Apart from masking the bitter taste of CBD oil, the edibles are portable and discreet, making them convenient for managing anxiety and stress without drawing attention. Similarly, they dispense vital compounds that treat pain and inflammations, common precursors of stress and anxiety. While CBD is relatively safe for consumption, please seek medical advice before using it for severe mental illness.

References

Corroon, J., & Felice, J. F. (2019). The Endocannabinoid System and its Modulation by             Cannabidiol (CBD). Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 25.

Evans, J. (2020). The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol. Fair Winds             Press

             Hamzah, F., Mat, K. C., Bhagat, V., & Mahyiddin, N. S. (2018). Test anxiety and its          impact on first-year university students and the overview of mind and body    intervention to enhance coping skills in facing exams. Research Journal of          Pharmacy and Technology, 11(6), 2220-2228.

           Levitt, E. E. (2015). The psychology of anxiety. Routledge

           Marinotti, O., & Sarill, M. (2020). Differentiating full-spectrum hemp extracts from CBD isolates Implications for policy, safety, and science. Journal of Dietary           Supplements, 17(5), 517-526.

            Shannon, S., & Opila-Lehman, J. (2016). Effectiveness of cannabidiol oil for pediatric        anxiety and insomnia as part of posttraumatic stress disorder: a case report. The             Permanente Journal, 20(4).