CBD Oil
Cannabidiol oil (CBD) is derived from the cannabis plant and interacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Increasing Levels of Endocannabinoids
CBD oil increases the overall levels of endocannabinoids in your body, which in turn, can ease anxiety. It can accomplish this by helping the endocannabinoids activate the cannabinoid receptors in the body. The two major endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-AG.
Anandamide is broken down by the FAAH metabolic enzyme, and by inhibiting the FAAH enzyme, CBD oil effectively helps increase anandamide levels.
Inhibiting Enzymes for Anxiety Relief
Preventing the breakdown of FAAH enzyme, which increases anandamide levels, is a strategy that has been used to treat anxiety disorders. By increasing the endocannabinoid levels (or "tone") in the body, CBD oil may effectively ease feelings of anxiety and stress in the body.
In plain English, CBD oil may be consumed to help the body's regulatory system inhibit an enzyme in order to increase a cannabinoid receptor, which may ease feelings of stress and anxiety in the body.
CBD Oil and the 5-HT1A Receptor
The 5-HT1A is a subtype of the serotonin receptor. Serotonin is often lowered in individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. This is the reason why medications that treat these disorders (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used to increase the amount of serotonin in the synaptic space, which can reduce anxiety and boost one's mood.
Well-tolerated and less intrusive to the body, CBD oil may boost the signaling through serotonin receptors, and by proxy, enhance the 5-HT1A subtype receptor transmission. This can affect serotonin levels quicker and safer than medication.
Additional Uses of CBD
Plant-derived CBD has many other uses beyond aiding in anxiety disorders. CBD oil may reduce inflammatory responses and help quiet overactive brain cells (neurons). By interacting with and unlocking the endocannabinoid system, CBD can assist the body in increasing or decreasing
certain enzymes to influence the positive effect your body needs.
CBD has been shown to be well-tolerated by those using this oil to ease mild-to-moderate depression, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a variety of panic disorders.
