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EXPLORING CBD OIL, HEMP PRODUCTS AND ANXIETY/DEPRESSION

Anxiety and depression are prevalent mental health issues. With increasing demand for complementary approaches, many are turning to hemp oil, cannabis oil, and CBD oil products to potentially ease anxiety symptoms. But what does the research say about CBD benefits, hemp benefits and cannabis benefits for anxiety and depression?

Defining CBD, Hemp Products and Cannabis Products  

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 active compounds in cannabis plants called cannabinoids. Hemp and cannabis both belong to the cannabis species. Hemp tends to feature more CBD, while cannabis has varying amounts of CBD and THC. 

CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from hemp or cannabis and infusing it into oils to create CBD products. Hemp oil and cannabis oil can also be extracted from the respective plants.

As interest in cannabis benefits, hemp benefits and the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids has exploded, CBD oil products have surged in popularity due to reported CBD benefits for various conditions.

Proposed CBD Benefits for Anxiety and Depression

Research proposes several CBD benefits that may support anxiety and depression:

Boosting Serotonin Levels: Low serotonin activity is associated with anxiety and depression. Rodent research indicates CBD can boost serotonin by influencing key serotonin receptors.

Reducing Inflammation: Neuroinflammation may play an interconnected role in anxiety and depression. As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, CBD may help reduce neuroinflammation.

Mitigating Stress Response: CBD reduced physiological stress responses like rapid heart rate and blood pressure spikes in animal anxiety studies. This supports CBD’s potential to alleviate anxiety.

Activating CB1 Receptors: The CB1 receptor modulates serotonin and GABA, a calming neurotransmitter. CBD activates CB1 similar to SSRIs used for anxiety and depression.  

Additional CBD benefits like alleviating pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system may also indirectly lower anxiety.

The Research Landscape  

While most evidence remains preclinical, emerging human research is promising:

- Animal studies show clear CBD benefits for anxiety and depression symptoms. Human support is less concrete but growing.

- A simulated public speaking study found CBD reduced anxiety compared to placebo in healthy volunteers. Brain scans showed CBD altered regional blood flow to anxiety-processing areas of the brain after CBD administration.

- Clinical chronic CBD treatment reduced anxiety scores by nearly 80% in 72 adults with anxiety issues in an open-label study. This demonstrates substantial anxiety improvement through CBD oil use.

- In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 57 men saw reduced anxiety levels after 2 weeks of daily CBD capsules.

Are CBD Products Safe?

Hemp products and cannabis products like CBD oil appear relatively safe according to World Health Organization and other reports, especially pure CBD isolates. Mild side effects include diarrhea, appetite flux, and fatigue.

However, without regulation, some CBD product quality issues exist. Seeking reputable companies who provide current third-party test results ensuring purity, safety and accurate CBD contents is paramount.

Consulting a doctor before trying hemp products or cannabis products is also recommended, as CBD can interact with certain pharmaceuticals.

Well... wrapping up!

Should You Try CBD Oil for Anxiety? 

While larger scale, prolonged human research is still needed, CBD shows promise for alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms. Through mood enhancement, stress mitigation, anti-inflammatory effects and more, CBD may benefit those with chronic mild-moderate anxiety. High-quality, tested CBD oil products seem relatively low risk to attempt under medical guidance for anxiety relief.