The cannabinoid molecule known as Cannabidiol or CBD, found in medical hemp plants, is being recognized for its vast spectrum for the treatment of different chronic conditions and diseases, within which conventional treatments today produce serious adverse effects, leaving thousands of patients without a clear route for the treatment of these pathologies.

New hypotheses and treatment areas arise when investigating clues that nature provides us, today it is known that these cannabinoid molecules have the ability to activate, modulate, and even inhibit processes specifically related to our Endocannabinoid System. This capacity is the main reason why it is being analyzed in different pathology models.

In the following article, we will focus on the use of Cannabidiol for the treatment of anxiety.

How is Anxiety Defined?

Anxiety is a physiological or psychological state capable of affecting a person’s entire integrity: behavior, mood, emotions, and cognitive processes, and can even cause physical manifestations. Anxiety is usually known as a feeling of worry or fear, which brings with it stress and discomfort.

In normal situations, this feeling of anxiety is a direct natural reaction derived from external stimuli classified as stressful or negative, capable of producing the aforementioned sensations. However, there comes a point at which these sensations become uncontrollable, even in extreme cases leading to paranoia.

In the last years, due to the great European economic crisis, the cases of anxiety have been increasing up to 5% more within the Spanish territory.

Anxiety in Spain and its Medical Expenses

Within the Spanish territorial framework, it is estimated that nearly 6 million Spaniards are affected by this disease, with 8% more cases found in women than in men.

A study published in the journal Estudios de Economía Aplicada, analyzed the direct medical costs derived from the care for the treatment of this disease, obtaining the worrying figure of 369 million euros.

Due to these factors, the healthcare system is in a state of transition, changing its focus to find new alternatives for the treatment of this disease.

The exponential growth of interest in cannabinoid research as a novel therapeutic alternative presents itself as a very attractive option, not only for public and private health systems but also for the patients themselves.

New Evidence for the Use of Cannabidiol Against Anxiety

Cannabidiol has been a widely demonstrated pharmacological spectrum in recent years, evoking increased research interest in its effectiveness against various current neurological disorders.

• Its non-psychotropic effects
• High tolerability in patients and animal models (in vitro studies).
• Anxiolytic properties dependent on large dose concentrations, strongly suggest that the use of this phytocannabinoid could be feasible for the treatment or management of neurological disorders such as anxiety.

Therapeutic Relevance of Cannabidiol Against Anxiety

As with any drug or medication, one of the main aspects of the pharmacological effects that should be studied is its safety and tolerance. CBD is very well tolerated in very high dosage ranges in human studies, reaching concentrations of up to 1500 mg/day orally, with no reported effects affecting motor functions, negative effects on mood, and other abnormalities at the physiological level.

On the other hand, the anxiolytic effects of CBD are reported in a study conducted by Campos and his team at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. They conclude:

“CBD is a safe compound with a wide range of therapeutic applications, including the treatment of psychiatric disorders. These findings make this drug an attractive candidate for future clinical trials.”

Other studies conclude that the use of CBD in chronic conditions still requires further research, specifically, to determine the appropriate concentrations for CBD to produce its anxiolytic effect.

Human research protocols support the conclusions and results obtained in animal models, whether in vitro or in vivo, once again concentrating on high doses of this molecule as a method of analysis for the treatment of this disorder. If you want to know more, find out this here!