advice: is cbd a good option for anxiety?

these days, many people feel unsettled. mental time travel that comes in the form of reliving your past and worrying about the future can be a powerful trigger for stress and anxiety. experts suggest that we are wired to zigzag between the past and the future, but that tuning in to the present moment can help us find our calm.

when it comes to managing stress and anxiety amid a global pandemic, many people are turning to virtual therapy , mindfulness, meditation apps and cannabis, including thc, cbd, or both. tetrahydrocannabinol or thc is the psychoactive compound that gets you high, whereas cannabidiol or cbd is the non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana and hemp. in recent years, cbd has gained momentum in the health and wellness space, but research suggests that thc can also have potential health benefits, if consumed in micro doses.

cbd is touted as a powerful wellness tool, backed by science as a natural, safe an effective remedy for common ailments. it is reported that cbd may help relieve chronic pain, reduce eczema and psoriasis, lower anxiety and depression, and alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. it may also reduce seizures in people with epilepsy and help you sleep better without causing a high that’s associated with cannabis. multiple studies have shown that cbd can also help with symptoms, such as nightmares and flashbacks, and that it may be used as a standalone or supplemental treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. according to one survey , most users turn to cbd for pain relief and anxiety.

“cbd is indeed very helpful to relieve anxiety and promote sleep,” says dr. paula williams from apollo cannabis clinics who has treated patients with post-traumatic stress disorder for more than 30 years. “you need a good sleep so you can be energized to get back to gentle daily exercise and do some cognitive restructuring. if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed by anxiety and depression, unable to do anything, ask your doctor for help.” cbd is thought to work by altering the serotonin signals in the brain. low levels of serotonin are linked to anxiety and depression.

a 2015 study suggests that cbd can be helpful in reducing symptoms of anxiety, particularly social anxiety in some people, but in others, it can actually lead to increased heart rate and racing thoughts. williams attributes the difference in how people react to cbd to several factors — an untreated health condition, a strain or titration that may need to be adjusted, or genomes, the body’s unique genetic footprint.

as the pandemic continues to test your mental strength and resilience, a gentle exercise routine can have stress-busting benefits. physical activity can help bump up the feel-good endorphins in the brain, improving both your mood and your sleep. meditation apps, journaling, breathing techniques and connecting with others, whether in-person or online, can help you relax, let go and tune in to the present moment.