Do CBD Products Really Relax You?
In addition to the oils and tinctures, you can now consume CBD in the form of gummies, gourmet desserts, and even the seltzer offered at one of the gynecological surgeries . Marketing is definitely ahead of science, so here’s what you need to know about the grain of truth behind claims.
Research on CBD and Anxiety
Calming anxiety is one of the most understood effects of CBD, but that says little because very little research has been done in humans.
Studies in rats and mice have shown that CBD usually, but not always, reduces rodent anxiety. For example, researchers can place rats in an “ elevated cruciform maze, ” a structure in which the animal can choose whether to be outdoors (which causes them stress) or in a more confined space.
So, to make it clear what was tested in these studies, they did not include humans, and they did not include anxiety disorders or people-related stresses such as family drama and work deadlines. A review of CBD and anxiety data notes that sometimes CBD seems to heighten anxiety, and that it could make a difference whether a rodent gets their dose of CBD before or after feeling stressed.
According to the same review, studies have shown that CBD:
- reduces anxiety that can come from THC (which is why you might want to look at the THC / CBD ratio when buying marijuana )
- has little effect on your “baseline” level of anxiety
- may reduce anxiety associated with stress of public speaking or social anxiety disorder
Most of the studies involved healthy volunteers, so we don’t know if CBD works the same way in people with anxiety disorders or other comorbid conditions. And the studies only looked at single doses of CBD in a laboratory setting; we don’t know if the effects will be the same in the real world, including whether the effects will be more or less pronounced if you take CBD frequently.
The doses of CBD products are tiny compared to those used in research.
Before you celebrate with a CBD cocktail, there is one thing you should know: none of these studies have used low-dose products like those you usually see on the market.
For example, one study on CBD and anxiety in public speaking used doses of 300 milligrams. Another used 600 milligrams. The doses used in studies in mice and rats varied widely, but were often in the range or higher.
For context, 300 mg is a whole bottle of these gummy bears , or half a bottle of this brand , or three such packs . If you want to get this dose from a CBD-infused ice cream like this one , you must eat 60 scoops.
People who relax with CBD are usually guided by experience, not evidence
So, if science says CBD only works in certain situations, in high doses, why do people take smaller amounts and agree that they feel relaxed or that they feel a “sense of well-being”?
I’m here to test your skeptical reality, so I must point out that this looks like a case study for the placebo effect. People often feel better without any medication they are taking.
There are several reasons for this: First, if you expect relaxation, your brain interprets your feelings and decides if you are truly relaxed. All it takes is a change of perspective, not a cure.
Second, if you feel like you need to relax, are you going to just take CBD in, say, a pill? No, you will probably find a quiet place, take a deep breath, and perhaps indulge yourself with CBD in the form of a delicious dessert – something that will make this an enjoyable experience. Maybe it is these actions, not CBD, that are responsible for the effect.
However, if you’re looking for real-world low-dose CBD experiments, you won’t find results in scientific journals – you just have to try it yourself or talk to the people who did it. Ironically, some people find these doses work for them . And there is no science to say definitively whether this is true or not.
There are some caveats if you experiment.
So far, CBD appears to be safe, especially at low doses. But again, evidence is lacking. There is also a very real risk of “curing” your anxiety with CBD on your own when you really need to seek therapy.
CBD was recently approved by the FDA as a drug (Epidiolex, for the treatment of certain seizure disorders), which means the company had to conduct clinical trials and document its side effects . They range from decreased appetite and sleep problems to aggression, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
When the drug is used to treat seizures, doctors recommend starting at 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of the patient’s body weight, which means 170 mg for a 150 lb person, and then increasing the dose as needed to 20 mg / kg. kg (about 1300 mg). Higher levels are associated with a greater risk of serious side effects.
CBD also interferes with the work of certain enzymes in the liver. People taking Epidiolex may need liver enzyme monitoring. For the rest of us, it’s probably just good to know that CBD can interfere with other medications you take, in the same way that grapefruit juice can . Therefore, if you take CBD frequently, be sure to mention this to your doctor.