Stress, anxiety, panic — all things we hope to avoid! Unfortunately, uncomfortable situations are going to present themselves every now and then. Everyone experiences stress at some point, whether they are anxious about a coming exam, stressed over a work deadline, or worried for a loved one’s health. It’s normal, it’s natural, and although it isn’t pleasant, it is something most people can cope with easily enough.
For some, however, these stressors, no matter how big or small, trigger a panic response. This is especially notable in individuals with anxiety disorders, from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, to PTSD, to Panic Disorder, to name only a few.
Whether we experience anxiety due to a particular circumstance or as part of a disorder, finding a reliable combination of tools to ease that stress is integral. Deep breathing, meditation, medication, counselling; there are many options, and CBD oil just happens to be one of them!
While it may be tempting to jump right in, it’s always best to do your research first! Let’s find out everything you need to know if you are planning to buy CBD oil in Canada.
CBD: What Is It All About?
Let’s start with the basics. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the flowers, leaves, and stalks of a cannabis plant. Being non-psychoactive, it does not produce the “high” typically associated with the use of marijuana and certain cannabis products.
In fact, CBD has long been known for its therapeutic properties and has played a role in healing and medicine across many cultures throughout history. CBD oil is made through the process of combining a carrier oil with Cannabidiol extracted from a cannabis plant.
This can be done using one of many different processes, including extraction by solvent, CO2 extraction, steam extraction, and oil extraction. Some methods are much safer and more efficient than others, and each one rings in at a different cost, offering different results as far as quality and taste.
Today, CBD is recognized as a natural pain solution, providing relief for arthritis and inflammation. It is used to aid cancer patients going through chemotherapy and helps lower the potential for seizures in individuals with epilepsy.
Even outside of modern medicine, CBD has recently grown more popular as a buzzword and trend of our current era. That is why it is so important to know where to find quality products before you buy CBD oil in Canada, whether online or otherwise.
CBD’s rise in popularity has been especially notable in mainstream media and culture. Tinctures and topicals have increased in production and prominence. They are available online and present on many store shelves. As the prevalence of CBD continues to climb, more and more research is going into fully understanding the health benefits and therapeutic value of this important little chemical!
Take a Walk on the Science Side
Many studies have examined how CBD interacts with the human body. CBD is a phytocannabinoid, which means it is produced by a plant, as opposed to an endocannabinoid, which is produced naturally in the body. In fact, the human body has an entire endocannabinoid system that helps to moderate numerous functions relating to everything from metabolism, to movement, to memory.
When CBD is introduced to the system, it interacts with one of two cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 is largely part of the Central Nervous System, the main nervous system in your body, which includes the brain and spinal cord and is in charge of everything from perception, to motor control, to subconscious functions like breathing.
CB2 is part of the Peripheral Nervous System, which connects the Central Nervous System to the rest of the body and includes all nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.
The cannabinoids found in CBD, though different, are analogous to endocannabinoids found in the body. That means that the CB1 and CB2 receptors interact with them in the same way they would interact with natural endocannabinoids, producing the same sort of effects.
So when CBD interacts with CB1 receptors, which moderate mood, for example, it has the potential to lower anxiety by acting as a natural endocannabinoid would. The interaction between CBD and CB2 receptors, on the other hand, might instead incite pain relief or diminish the negative sensations associated with inflammation.
While it is still being closely studied, researchers have noted that CBD may not directly bind to receptors, but rather interact with them to indirectly increase or inhibit the binding of specific chemicals.
Don’t Panic! Take a Dose of CBD
Although it is still a subject of intense interest and study with the medical community, much research has already gone into discovering the potential that CBD and CBD products have to offer as an anxiety therapy. Lab studies have found that CBD oil contains notable anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties, reducing feelings of fear and apprehension.
Short-term human trials also uncovered positive results in an experiment that involved anxiety sufferers completing a public speaking exercise. Researches found a positive correlation between the use of CBD and anxiety reduction in those suffering from social anxiety disorder, versus those given a placebo. It is important to note that during these trials, CBD oil was administered at a specific dosage. Once the dose threshold was met, positive effects tapered off.
Studies such as these are integral to both the science and medical fields, as well as those living with anxiety and anxiety disorders, as they present individuals with a solution alternative or complementary to modern medication, without the habit-forming potential of some pharmaceuticals.
Research into the use of CBD for anxiety treatment is ongoing. There are still many things to discover, but with the endless sea of new innovations and technology in science and research, scientists are well on their way to understanding the full potential of CBD.
CBD Knowledge is Therapeutic Power
While it may be impossible to avoid all forms of stress, adding a new tool to your repertoire offers you an additional method to control panic and anxiety, whether acute or chronic. And although the idea of trying new products can be enough to cause anxiety in some, arming yourself with information is the key to feeling comfortable and confident in your decision.
Understanding the what’s, how’s, and why’s (ie. the science behind it) allows you to recognize what is happening inside your body. Remember if you buy CBD oil in Canada, it is safe, well tolerated, and non-intoxicating.