Anxiety is embedded into our human DNA. Now, that might sound a bit hyperbolic but let me explain. Because anxiety is an involuntary response to fear,(1) it is likely that every person has experienced some form of anxiety-related behavior. More simply, when our bodies sense a threat (whether that be internally induced or externally influenced) we respond in one of three ways: fight, flight, or freeze. Each survival response triggers what the contemporary medical system calls anxiety. Every year, an increasing amount of people are diagnosed with anxiety disorders in the United States(2) (which makes sense given that anxiety is a symptom of literally being human). In essence, anxiety is a battle between the past and the present.

Unfortunately, our survival instincts are quite obsolete considering our present human condition. We live in a time where survival is defined by success in various environments: economical, physical, social, personal, etc. And what seems to ultimately underlie these environments is an unstable present and an unsecure future (which makes survival that much more overwhelming). So, how do we mitigate archaic natural instincts in the present era?

A new way of being means redefining survival, and by becoming conscious of our body’s natural reaction to stressors, we can choose the way that we respond to anxiety. With the increasing popularity of alternative medicine, much research has gone into and proven how CBD (cannabidiol) can help to naturally balance our body’s hormones and neurotransmitters. So, perhaps the way to “control” nature is to depend on nature.

More specifically, current evidence indicates that CBD serves as a therapeutic treatment for multiple anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, PTSD, and OCD).(3) Because cannabinoid receptors are located throughout the body, CBD works in tandem with the body to balance cognitive health (these receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory).(4) According to Blessing et al., Schier et al., and Crippa et al., low doses of CBD help to naturally alleviate fear, depression, and anxiety linked to unpredictable stress and memory.

Metaphorically speaking, using CBD is like getting new glasses. Glasses don’t change or disturb our genetic makeup, but enhance it. They clarify, improve, and strengthen our sight, and like glasses CBD acts more as a restorative and regenerative supplement rather than a masking medication (best of all, CBD produces the calming effects of anti-anxiety medication without the negative side effects or limits).(5)

In a sense, CBD is a return to a pristine state of mind. By treating a common human reaction with CBD we can holistically redefine wellbeing. Rather than slapping a bandaid on the wound, CBD asks our brains to evolve and adapt to contemporary definitions of survival. It makes us conscious of the little things and promotes being present in the moment (rather than feeling perpetually anxious). CBD not only allows us to win that battle between past and present, but also encourages us to stop and smell the roses.

 

 

 

Sources:

1 Blessing, Esther M., et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” Neurotherapeutics, vol. 12, 2015, pp. 825–836, doi: 10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1. 2 Blessing, Esther M., et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” 3 Schier, A.R.M., et al.“Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an anxiolytic drug.” Journal of the Brazilian Psychiatric Association, vol. 34, no. 1, 2011, pp. S104-S117. 4 Crippa, Jose A.S., et al.“Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report.” Journal of Psychopharmacology, vol. 25, no. 1, 2011, pp. 121-130, doi: 10.1177/0269881110379283. 5 Blessing, Esther M., et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]