Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting over 40 million adults (19% of the population) every year (ADAA 2020). Data shows that reported mental health conditions increased one - year post - pandemic by over 1.5 million American (MHA, 2020).
Anxiety disorders develop in a number of forms with specific symptoms and diagnostic criteria – including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessi ve Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post - Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Panic Disorder (PD), Social Anxiety D isorder (SAD), and specific phobias (Dattani et al., 2021).
Anxiety disorders can be treated effectively, most commonly with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. These medications can be habit - forming and induce adverse side effects.
Alternative solutions to prescription anxiety medications are plentiful but not all are based on scie ntific research . Cannabinoid therapies have been shown through clinical research to have potential benefits for treating anxiety and stress.
The Endocannabinoid System and Anxiety
Clinical evidence shows the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) modulates synaptic transmission processes (Castillo et al., 2012; Katona et al., 2012) and a large amount of data points to the ECS playing a crucial role in the behavioral regulation of fear, anxiety, and stress (Peng et al., 2022; Lutz et al., 2015; Lafenêtre et al., 2007; McLaughlin et al., 2014).
CBD and other cannabinoids ser ve as ligands, binding to the receptors of the ECS. Numerous pharmacological studies show that these ECS receptors, specifically CB1 and CB2, are influenced by these exogenous cannabinoids that, with low and high doses, can exert both anxiolytic and anxiog enic states on humans and animals (Moreira et al., 2009).
CBD and Anxiety
Neuroimaging and biochemical studies indicate that anxiety disorders pathophysiology is related to specific neurotra nsmitters, including DA (Dunlop et al., 2007), norepinephrine (NE) (Goddard et al., 2010), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (Nemeroff et al. 2003), and serotonin (5-HT) (Ressler et. al, 2000).
While the exact mechanisms by which CBD mitigates anxiety remain undefined, clinical evidence demonstrates its anxiolytic effects, and research suggests the main anti - anxiety activity may result from CBD inhibiting the inactivation of AEA, a neurotransmitter (Peng et al. 2022; Murrough et al., 2015; Blessing et. al, 2015) and/or CBD interacting with 5-HT1A receptors (Campos et al., 2012; Patel et al., 2016).
More double - blind placebo - controlled clinical trials need to take place to further evaluate CBD’s anxiety - modulating effects, but current studies support CBD as a promising solution.
For example, studies on stimulated public speaking demonstrated that CB D significantly decreased participants’ general social anxiety and reduced cognitive impairment, suggesting CBD could be beneficial for people in stressful situations (Zuardi et al., 1993, Bergamaschi et. al., 2011, Zuardi et. al., 2017; Zuardi et al., 2019).
The ad ministration of oral CBD in addition to routine psychiatric care was associated with PTSD symptom reduction in adults. CBD also appeared to offer relief in a subset of patients who reported frequent nightmares as a symptom of their PTSD (Lucas Elms at al., 2019).
Due to the co-morbid nature of anxiety-related disorders, anxiety is often tied to other physical or mental health issues in which CBD has therapeutic value:
SLEEP
Rese arch has suggested that CBD may be therapeutic for sufferers of insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorders, and excessive sleepiness during the day (Babson et al., 2017).
CBD prevents anxiety - induced REM sleep suppression but had no effect on NREM sleep, suggesting that CBD may improve sleep quality through its anxiolytic effects (Hsaio et al., 2012).
A study conducted to determine whether CBD helps improve sleep and/or anxiety in a clinical population showed anxiety scores in patients treated with CBD decreased within the first month in 79.2% of patients, and sleep scores improved within the first month in 66% of patients (Shannon et al., 2019).
PAIN
Evidence shows CBD has antioxidant and anti - inflammatory properties and studies have confirmed that CBD reduces the levels of pro - inflammatory cytokin es, inhibits T - cell proliferation, induces T - cell apoptosis, and reduces migration and adhesion of immune cells (Sinemyiz Atalay, et al. 2019; Stefania Petrosino, et al. 2018).
In an eight - week study on 72 chronic pain patients, 53% reduced or eliminated their opioid therapies after adding CBD - rich hemp extract to their regimens. 94% of CBD users reported quality of life improvements, concluding that CBD could sign ificantly reduce opioid use and improve chronic pain and sleep quality among patients who are currently using opioids for pain management (Capano et al., 2020).
Determine which Tikva product suites your patients’ mental health needs:
CBD Melatonin Tablets
A nightly supplement that combines the proven benefits of melatonin with the calming relief of CBD. These ingredients work together to help your patients fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
CBD Oral Tablets
A daily natural supplement for patients seeking preventative relie f and sustained wellness in a familiar, standardized delivery method. Each tablet has 10mg of CBD, and patients can take up to three tablets daily.
CBD Tincture Oil
A natural and holistic solution to help optimize your patients’ wellness and improve thei r quality of life. Ideal for patients seeking daily or as - needed, fast - acting relief in a flexible dosing delivery method.
CBD Myo-inositol Tablets
A daily supplement specially formulated to help your patients reduce stress. These tablets combine two natur ally occurring compounds, CBD and Myo - inositol, to calm the mind and ease tension without a habit - forming prescription.
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