Anti-panic properties of Cannabidiol

Anxiety

All of us have felt anxiety one time or another, whether it be before a big test or public speaking. However, some people experience anxiety more than others. Disproportionate amounts of anxiety can sometimes be caused by an underlying issue, most commonly, an anxiety disorder.

How common is anxiety?

  • In a 2020 survey, 62% of respondents reported experiencing some degree of anxiety. (SingleCare, 2020)
  • An estimated 31% of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2020)
  • An estimated 19.1% of adults in America had an anxiety disorder as of 2001-2003. (Harvard Medical School, 2007)
  • Anxiety disorders are more prevalent in women than in men in the United States and around the world. (NIMH, 2017) (Our World in Data, 2018)
  • Specific phobias are the most commonly occurring anxiety disorder, affecting more than 19 million adults in the U.S. (ADAA, 2020)

For many people with anxiety, their condition affects their ability to function in everyday life.Many anxiety disorders cause people to experience panic attacks, which are periods of intense fear triggered by an object or situation that can reach their peak within minutes.

Panic disorder

Panic disorders are characterized by unexpected and repeated panic attacks. People with panic attacks may try to avoid situations or constantly worry about when the next panic attack may happen. Symptoms of a panic attack include:

  • Heart palpitations or increased heart rate 
  • Sweating or chills
  • Shaking, trembling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sense of terror
  • Feeling a loss of control

Anti-panic Actions of Cannabidiol

Panic disorder (PD) is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder that is characterised by unexpected and recurrent panic attacks and affects approximately 0.8-5% of all people worldwide and may vary according to socio-demographic factors.

Over the last two decades, the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has been extensively studied. Although cannabis abuse is connected to marked anxiety, panic attacks, depersonalisation, and emotional liability (primarily due to the psychotropic effects of ∆9-THC), a growing body of evidence suggests that non-psychotomimetic phytocannabinoids could be useful as therapeutic tools.

The most promising of these compounds is cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa.

The studies has shown that CBD exhibits anti-panic properties.

It is  important to note that CBD does not present psychoactive effects; it is safe and well-tolerated via the oral route. 

Moreover, because this compound does not induce dependence, tolerance and abstinence symptoms, it can be, in the future, a good alternative as a substitute for high potency benzodiazepines and antidepressant drugs in PD patients who are resistant to the current treatments.

You can find all oficial information about studies and resources here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412699/