Does CBD Relax You? - April 2024

What Is CBD?

CBD or cannabidiol is an organic compound from the Cannabis sativa plant. CBD does not produce a psychoactive effect, and while it can be derived from marijuana, it can also be derived from hemp. Hemp is a cousin plant containing 0.3% or less THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)⁽⁴⁾. 

Clinical findings in neurology suggest that cannabidiol may exhibit a broad range of therapeutic potentials in people. These include antipsychotic, anxiolytic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and pro-cognitive benefits⁽⁵⁾.

CBD, and all cannabinoids, work by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) through the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2)⁽⁶⁾. The ECS brings the organs back into their balance or homeostasis.

CBD and other specific essential phytochemicals in cannabis may also reduce harm to an individual’s brain cells and maintain brain health and cognition⁽⁷⁾.

Research Overview

Clinical evidence on innate fear-induced behaviors shows that CBD may modulate defensive behaviors elicited by threatening stimuli, suggesting a panicolytic effect or reduced flight reflex when faced with danger⁽⁸⁾. 

Cannabidiol appears to have a clear anti-aversive impact, reducing explosive escape and protective immobility behaviors. 

These findings imply that cannabidiol may modulate defensive responses elicited by the presence of threatening stimuli⁽⁹⁾.

CBD has shown preliminary efficacy in the treatment of a variety of physical and mental health conditions. CBD, in particular, appears to be beneficial for a variety of neurologic conditions⁽¹⁰⁾.

CBD was found to be helpful in reducing seizure frequency by more than 50% in a recent large, well-controlled study of pediatric epilepsy⁽¹¹⁾.

In another study, CBD’s purported anxiolytic effects have shown potential benefits in lowering anxiety. Evidence indicates the calming effect of CBD on the central nervous system⁽¹²⁾. 

Findings showed that following CBD administration, many individuals reported reduced anxiety associated with the stress of public speaking. CBD administered in low or high doses may offer beneficial effects in lowering anxiety and maintaining relaxed emotions⁽¹³⁾. 

During the protocol’s post-speech phase, CBD significantly reduced subjective anxiety relative to the placebo group⁽¹⁴⁾.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Relaxation

Human research indicates that CBD has anxiolytic potential, indicating that the compound may help with anxiety disorder⁽¹⁵⁾. 

CBD may significantly affect the user’s capacity to relax during the day. Inadequate sleep at night also has a detrimental effect on an individual’s ability to relax.

CBD’s action method is likely multifaceted, as it acts on several different systems. Cannabidiol’s potential action on various pathways may explain its present use and potentially broad application for various functions and conditions⁽¹⁶⁾.

Persistent fear can be maladaptive⁽¹⁷⁾. Impairment may manifest in various neuropsychiatric illnesses. Clinical studies identified CBD’s potential to help reduce anxiety-related disorders⁽¹⁸⁾.

CBD has demonstrated considerable preclinical efficacy in treating these neuropsychiatric conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder⁽¹⁹⁾. 

CBD’s putative anxiolytic and soothing effects may help individuals sleep better by relieving stress and anxiety, resulting in improved sleep quality⁽²⁰⁾.

In addition, one study indicated that CBD helped lower the immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure caused by constraint stress⁽²¹⁾.

Preclinical evidence suggests that CBD may help in the management of a variety of anxiety conditions, including⁽²²⁾:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Excessive, persistent tension and stress that is difficult to manage and impede daily activities
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Persistent, severe worry or anxiety about specific social settings because of a concern of being negatively judged, ashamed, or degraded.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): These are intrusive, persistent, and unwelcome thoughts, urges, or visions that create anguish or worry.
• Panic Disorder: This disorder is a brief period of great fear that results in strong physical symptoms without any apparent threat or reason.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This disorder may be triggered by witnessing or experiencing a terrifying incident⁽²³⁾.

Cannabidiol may reduce fear by interfering with fear memory retrieval and enhance fear extinction⁽²⁴⁾. This process can result in a long-lasting reduction of learned fear.

Risks and Side Effects

The potential adverse effects of CBD use for relaxation or anxiety have not been adequately investigated. However, according to one study, the most frequently reported adverse effects of CBD are diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in appetite or body weight⁽²⁵⁾.

Adverse effects of CBD may result from drug-drug interactions between CBD and the individual’s currently prescribed drugs⁽²⁶⁾.

Uncertainty about CBD quality and dosage in supplies may cause concern, such as heavy metals and pesticides in CBD oil. Recent research of 84 CBD products purchased online found that more than a quarter of the products had less CBD than the label claimed⁽²⁷⁾.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not regulate CBD extracts and CBD products. Hence, using cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or medical marijuana in any form during pregnancy or breastfeeding is strongly discouraged⁽²⁸⁾. 

Additionally, research has limited findings regarding the use of CBD. Hence, users must obtain medical advice to ensure health and wellness before using any CBD product⁽²⁹⁾.

Legality

CBD is found in all high-quality cannabis plants, derived from either hemp or marijuana. However, CBD products are only federally legal if derived from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC⁽³⁰⁾.

CBD has been legalized in 50 states with varying degrees of restrictions. The Farm Bill of 2018 made hemp legal in the United States, removing all hemp-derived products from the Controlled Substances Act, including CBD. CBD from hemp is lawful, but not from cannabis, per this bill⁽³¹⁾. 

The FDA has approved only one cannabis-derived product and three cannabis-related products. These FDA-approved medications are available only with a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional⁽³²⁾. 

Other Uses of CBD

CBD has grown in popularity as research indicates that it may provide pharmacologically plausible therapeutic advantages for various medical ailments⁽³³⁾. 

• In Cancer

Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrollable proliferation of abnormal cells capable of invading and destroying normal human tissue⁽³⁴⁾. 

Clinical research indicates that a ratio of approximately 1:1 THC and CBD cannabis-based medication (CBM) added to standard traditional antiemetic therapy may benefit individuals with cancer⁽³⁵⁾.

Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD have been reported to be beneficial for nausea and vomiting, anorexia, neuropathy, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness⁽³⁶⁾.

• In Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (M.S.) is a potentially debilitating central nervous system illness⁽³⁷⁾. M.S. is a progressive neurodegenerative illness. The immune system assaults the protective sheath (myelin) that surrounds nerve fibers, resulting in impaired neural transmission between the brain and the body. 

Intranasal cannabis sprays have the potential to produce rapid systemic effects as well as long-term benefits such as analgesia and alleviating chronic pain⁽³⁸⁾.

Clinical research suggests that a THC: CBD oromucosal spray may have an anti-inflammatory effect and help manage chronic neuropathic pain in persons with debilitating illnesses⁽³⁹⁾.

CBD has been approved as adjunctive therapy for Multiple Sclerosis muscle rigidity not successfully controlled by currently available antispasticity medications.

In randomized controlled investigations, evidence for THC: CBD mixture resulted in a significant reduction in the intensity of muscle rigidity with frequently painful spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis and similar disorders⁽⁴⁰⁾.

• In Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a medical condition in the central nervous system where abnormal brain activity leads to seizures or episodes of strange behavior, sensations, and even loss of consciousness⁽⁴¹⁾.

Clinical evidence suggests that CBD may help individuals with epilepsy lessen the frequency and intensity of seizures without compromising the efficacy of more routinely recommended medications⁽⁴²⁾.

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of CBD oral solution. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of CBD were assessed in terms of concurrent and cognitive performance, sleep quality, and daytime drowsiness⁽⁴³⁾. 

CBD compounds of pharmaceutical grade have shown promise as anti-seizure, antipsychotic, neuroprotective, depressive, and anxiolytic agents. The neuroprotective action appears to be related to the chemical compound‘s outstanding anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics⁽⁴⁴⁾.

• In Anxiety

Individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders experience excessive, persistent, and severe concern and fear about everyday circumstances. Anxiety and panic symptoms hinder a person’s daily life and interfere with work and relationships⁽⁴⁵⁾.

Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, unexplained symptoms, and sleep issues, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, can all contribute to impairment⁽⁴⁶⁾.

CBD appears to be anxiolytic due to its effect on the limbic and paralimbic brain areas. According to research, CBD may have a sedative effect on the central nervous system⁽⁴⁷⁾. 

When CBD is administered abruptly, clinical data suggests that the chemical may help control the symptoms of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder⁽⁴⁸⁾.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD, and all cannabinoids, work by interacting with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a unique system and a network of cannabinoid receptors located anywhere from immune cells to neurons that brings the body and its organs back into balance or homeostasis⁽⁴⁹⁾.

One of the components of endocannabinoid system is the cannabinoid receptors, namely CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors, located primarily within the brain cells that relay neurological signals across the body’s core health systems⁽⁵⁰⁾. 

Moreover, there is evidence that various therapeutic levels of beneficial terpenes and cannabinoids, such as linalool, pinene, and CBD, could present a unique opportunity to discover novel medicines that may offer potential benefits in psychiatric and neurological illnesses⁽⁵¹⁾.

Meanwhile, an entourage effect is the concept wherein the biologically active compounds of cannabis work better when taken together.

As a result, various cannabis strains may provide better benefits for specific clinical conditions, opening up additional avenues for discovering novel individualized therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological illnesses⁽⁵²⁾.

There are numerous delivery systems available to assist individuals in determining how they wish to consume CBD to aid with relaxation, which include:

• Ingestion. CBD is administered orally to allow it to travel through the digestive tract and processed by the liver enzymes before entering the bloodstream.

Orally administered CBD oil or hemp oil products have a prolonged impact duration, making them ideal for giving a continuous effect throughout the night⁽⁵³⁾.

CBD may offer beneficial effects on sleep and promote a calming effect through products like CBD capsules and edibles like gummies.

These CBD products may or may not have any flavor. Flavors vary, including peppermint, mint chocolate, or other natural flavors to suit particular tastes.

While some people prefer ingesting CBD products, there is limited scientific proof that they are the best option for calming or relaxing.

• Sublingual Administration. Applying CBD oil sublingually or under the tongue or cheeks allows the drug to enter the bloodstream directly, bypassing the digestive tract.

Sublingual or sublingual application of CBD oil bypasses the digestive process and allows the medicine to enter the circulation immediately.

Typically, CBD oil tinctures are administered sublingually using droppers. CBD tinctures may taste earthy, the reason why some prefer to combine them with food or beverages⁽⁵⁴⁾.

Tablets, oromucosal sprays, and high-potency oils are other sublingually delivered treatments.

• Topical Application. Topicals are CBD products applied to the skin like CBD creams, balms, salves, lotions, and ointments.

CBD topicals do not get absorbed into the bloodstream and instead provide relief to chronic pain⁽⁵⁵⁾.

• Inhalation. Another CBD route of administration is through vaping or smoking. CBD inhalation readily gets into the lungs and brain before it is distributed throughout the body⁽⁵⁶⁾.

Inhalation is the quickest method of administering cannabis, offering beneficial help for problems like acute pain or nausea⁽⁵⁷⁾.

However, vaping may result in health hazards related to lung illness⁽⁵⁸⁾. For this reason, it is essential to understand the adverse side effects of vaping CBD by seeking medical advice from healthcare professionals.

CBD options are offered to users in three different forms of CBD. A full-spectrum CBD extract contains all of the components found naturally in the cannabis plant from which it is extracted⁽⁵⁹⁾. Such components include THC, a compound with psychoactive and intoxicating effects. 

Additionally, a broad-spectrum CBD is comparable to a full-spectrum CBD, but it has been purified of THC, whereas CBD isolate includes only the cannabidiol ingredient⁽⁶⁰⁾.

Only Epidiolex, a CBD medication provided orally for rare and severe epilepsy, has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)⁽⁶¹⁾. Apart from Epidiolex, state regulations regarding CBD vary, and research into its potential health benefits continues.

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1. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
2. Anti-aversive effects of cannabidiol on innate fear-induced behaviors evoked by an ethological model of panic attacks based on a prey vs the wild snake Epicrates cenchria crassus confrontation paradigm https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21918503/
3. The endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and cannabidiol: Implications in urology and men’s health https://journals.lww.com/cur/Fulltext/2021/06000/The_endocannabinoid_system,_cannabis,_and.5.aspx
4. CBD products are everywhere. But do they work? https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/cbd-products-are-everywhere-but-do-they-work
5. The United Chemicals of Cannabis: Beneficial Effects of Cannabis Phytochemicals on the Brain and Cognition https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/62431
6. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator#:
7. The United Chemicals of Cannabis: Beneficial Effects of Cannabis Phytochemicals on the Brain and Cognition https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/62431
8. Anti-aversive effects of cannabidiol on innate fear-induced behaviors evoked by an ethological model of panic attacks based on a prey vs the wild snake Epicrates cenchria crassus confrontation paradigm https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21918503/
9. ibid
10. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
11. ibid
12. ibid
13. Inverted U-Shaped Dose-Response Curve of the Anxiolytic Effect of Cannabidiol during Public Speaking in Real Life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5425583/
14. ibid
15. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
16. The endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and cannabidiol: Implications in urology and men’s health https://journals.lww.com/cur/Fulltext/2021/06000/The_endocannabinoid_system,_cannabis,_and.5.aspx
17. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
18. ibid
19. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
20. Page 177 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
21. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
22. ibid
23. ibid
24. Cannabidiol regulation of emotion and emotional memory processing: relevance for treating anxiety-related and substance abuse disorders https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.13724#
25. Dosage, Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Administration in Adults: A Systematic Review of Human Trials
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7092763/
26. World Health Organization Reports CBD Oil Is Generally Safe https://www.rtor.org/2019/07/05/who-report-on-cbd-oil/#
27. Labeling Accuracy of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5818782/
28. What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeedinghttps://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-should-know-about-using-cannabis-including-cbd-when-pregnant-or-breastfeeding
29. CBD and other medications: Proceed with caution https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2021011121743
30. Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
31. Ibid.
32. What are the benefits of CBD — and is it safe to use?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700#
33. Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
34. Cancer https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20370588
35. Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2997305/
36. CBD oil and cancer: 9 things to know
    https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/cbd-oil-and-cancer–9-things-to-know.h00-159306201.html
37. Multiple Sclerosis https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
38. Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6222489/
39. A Review of Scientific Evidence for THC:CBD Oromucosal Spray (Nabiximols) in the Management of Chronic Pain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7027889/
40. ibid
41. Epilepsy https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350093
42. Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Efficacy and Security in Clinical Trials https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6514832/
43. Ibid.
44. ibid
45. Anxiety disorders https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
46. Anxiety Disorders https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders#
47. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
48. Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
49. The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator#:
50. ibid
51. A Review of the Potential Use of Pinene and Linalool as Terpene-Based Medicines for Brain Health: Discovering Novel Therapeutics in the Flavours and Fragrances of Cannabis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34512404/
52. ibid
53. page 202 Healing with CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
54. Page 208 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
55. Page 210 of Healing With CBD
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
56. Best Way to Take CBD
    https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/best-way-take-cbd
57. ibid
58. Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don’t) know
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-vaping-damage-your-lungs-what-we-do-and-dont-know-2019090417734
59. page 80 Healing with CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
60. ibid
61. What are the benefits of CBD — and is it safe to use?
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700#

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