CBD Oil for Social Anxiety Disorder

Cannabidiol (CBD) contains anxiolytic properties, which enable it to reverse anxiety-like behavior in social settings, making it an alternative for social anxiety disorders. This blog discusses the health and therapeutic benefits of Cannabidiol and how it finds significance in treating social anxiety disorder (SAD).

CBD is a non-addictive component of the Cannabis Sativa plant. The cannabis derivative has drawn attention in different medical and clinical discourses, with initial data showing its efficacy for mental disorders. Although anecdotal, existing data suggest Cannabidiol could treat problematic anxiety-related behaviors in a social setting. The hemp-derived compound may suppress a wide range of neuropsychiatric illnesses, including, but not limited to, anxiety, psychosis, and stress. Therefore, Cannabidiol may provide an alternative treatment to existing medication due to its chemical profile.

What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social anxiety disorders (SAD) manifest through excessive anxiety in situations involving personal interactions. Patients develop the fear of embarrassment, disappointment, and humiliation in social situations. SAD may reduce the tendency to interact and heighten intrusive thoughts like stress and depression.

While current treatments involve psychotropic medication and therapy, Cannabidiol may be a vital alternative for SAD.

CBD for Social Anxiety Disorder

While current treatments involve psychotropic medication and therapy, Cannabidiol may be a vital alternative for SAD-related symptoms. The cannabis derivative could suppress SAD-related symptoms in the following ways: Learn more about which cbd oil is best for bipolar disorder?

Provide anxiolytic effects

De Gregorio et al.(2019) observed that Cannabidiol's anxiolytic properties could reverse anxiety-like behaviors associated with SAD. The primary component of cannabis interacts with special receptors in the body which regulate serotonin. Anxiolytic properties of Cannabidiol enable the compound to decrease the firing of special neurons called 5-HT. Consistent injection with specific doses of CBD decreased the frequency of anxiety-like behaviors.

Provide Analgesia (Pain Relief)

Pain is a common cause of mood and anxiety in humans. According to Chen et al. (2013), anxiety and mood disorders are heirs to persistent pain and inflammation. Therefore inflammation and pain may result in anxiety-like behaviors in social settings. Larsen & Shahinnas (2020) linked CBD with potent anti-inflammatory properties ideal for intervening pains resulting in anxiety disorders. De Gregorio et al. (2019) showed that low doses of CBD induce analgesia; this property reduces problematic behaviors which undermine social and interpersonal interactions. Analgesia treats inflammation and shifts the user's concentration to important details of personal and social interactions; the brain is focused on social interactions rather than being preoccupied with pain. Learn more about which cbd oil is best for tinnitus?

Reduces Stress

Chronic anxiety could result in constant stress, which, if left untreated, could send the patient to depression. Cannabidiol oil interacts with the body's neurotransmission to regulate stress in several ways. The cannabis derivative contains cannabinoids similar to the one produced in the endocannabinoid system (ECS); the system is a complex network of enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters connected by receptors. The ECS modulates cognitive and physiological functions like pain and inflammation (Lu & Mackie, 2021). The interaction between CBD and the ECS receptors undermines stress in two ways; on the one hand, it increases the production of 'feel-good' hormones, which relaxes the user and reduces stress levels.

Cannabidiol stimulates the production of hormones that counteract the effects of Cortisol, a hormone associated with elevated stress levels. According to Appiah-Kusi et al. (2021), elevated levels of Cortisol in the body increase stress levels significantly and vice-versa. Therefore, Cannabidiol oil taken before the social event may suppress the problematic effects of anxiety in group performances.

Where to Buy CBD oil for SAD

Weak regulations characterize the cannabis industry; the poor regulatory framework exposes cannabis users to dubious traders selling sub-standard anxiety treatment products. Users should devise effective strategies to insulate themselves from poor-quality products.

Cannabidiol oil products in the UK are sold online or in brick-and-mortar stores. Online buyers benefit from reviews of previous users through a special section called "customer reviews." Brands post unedited customer reviews expressing their experiences with cannabis-infused products. Products with positive customer reviews exemplify good quality. In contrast, products with reviews could indicate low-quality products; buyers should avoid brands whose customers show dissatisfaction.

Reputable brands to quality seriously; such brands not only subject their products to independent testing but also disclose the results through their websites. Users should get the quality control results and discuss the details with medical experts to understand vital information like dosage and reaction to other medications.

Side Effects of CBD Oil for Anxiety

The side effects of Cannabidiol oil for social anxiety disorder could emanate from consumption or the quality of CBD. For instance, poor quality products may have contaminants like heavy metals, harmful to the users. Also, untested cannabis products could have elevated levels of THC. A psychoactive component like THC may result in psychotic behaviors, worsening certain symptoms of social anxiety disorder.

Improper dosage may result in drowsiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, and nausea. In rare cases, overdosing on CBD may result in liver damage.

Other side effects of CBD oil include its tendency to compete with certain pharmacological drugs. The cannabinoids' uptake in the body depends on CB1 and CB2 receptors spread around the body. Many ordinary drugs also get absorbed in the body using the same receptors. Therefore, competition for uptake may limit the utility of such drugs at the expense of Cannabidiol.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol oil contains multiple health and therapeutic benefits, which make it ideal for neuropsychiatric conditions, including but not limited to anxiety. However, many studies affirming Cannabidiol's utility for multiple diseases are limited to animal studies. The cannabis derivative has a medical and therapeutic utility that could benefit human-related conditions. The cannabis-infused oil is non-addictive and non-psychoactive, making its utility for anxiety-related behavior more pronounced. While the cannabis derivative is well-tolerated by many users, poor-quality products could result in unwanted reactions. Overdosing on Cannabidiol could also have adverse effects like diarrhea, dryness of the mouth, and nausea, among other factors. It may also undermine the uptake of other drugs when used concurrently. Users should buy good quality products and seek medical advice before replacing their regular treatments with CBD.

References

Appiah-Kusi, E., Petros, N., Wilson, R., Colizzi, M., Bossong, M. G., Valmaggia, L., ...& Bhattacharyya, S. (2020). Effects of short-term cannabidiol treatment on response to social stress in subjects at high clinical risk of developing psychosis. Psychopharmacology, 237(4), 1121-1130.

Boggs, D. L., Surti, T., Gupta, A., Gupta, S., Niciu, M., Pittman, B., ...&Ranganathan, M.   (2018). The effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) on cognition and symptoms in outpatients with chronic schizophrenia a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Psychopharmacology, 235(7), 1923-1932.

Chen, J., Song, Y., Yang, J., Zhang, Y., Zhao, P., Zhu, X. J., & Su, H. C. (2013). The contribution of TNF-α in the amygdala to anxiety in mice with persistent inflammatory pain. Neuroscience letters, 541, 275-280.

De Gregorio, D., McLaughlin, R. J., Posa, L., Ochoa-Sanchez, R., Enns, J., Lopez-Canul,   M., ...&Gobbi, G. (2019). Cannabidiol modulates serotonergic transmission and reverses allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in a model of neuropathic pain. Pain, 160(1), 136.

Lu, H. C., & Mackie, K. (2021). Review of the endocannabinoid system. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 6(6), 607-615.