Most people love to take flights to travel from one end of the country to the other, or to visit new countries. However, if your palms get sweaty when you think about getting on a plane, you may be experiencing the typical anxiety of fear of flying. The good news is that cannabidiol (CBD) can be of great help to make that anxiety disappear and find you in good shape to face the challenge. Below we tell you different studies on the anxiety and CBD.
What research says about CBD and anxiety.
CBD has a practically zero side effect profile, which is why it is considered a completely safe compound for use. It is not addictive, has no psychoactive effects, is naturally extracted from the hemp plant and is completely legal in Spain.
Therefore, CBD can be a perfect remedy to help curb the anxiety that the feeling of being at such a height can cause. More research is needed on its long-term toxicology, as well as its effects on the endocrine system. However, the data available for its anxiolytic effects are very promising so far. Although CBD medications are not yet approved by the FDA (at the moment only one drug has been approved for epilepsy) it is very possible that the investigations will conclude that it will be so soon.
Let's look at the human research done so far.
1. THC, CBD, anxiety and the first human study
The first indication of CBD's anti-anxiety effects was discovered in a study that looked at the interaction between CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the other major cannabinoid that has such a bad reputation. THC is the compound in cannabis that causes feelings of relaxation, euphoria and well-being, but it can also induce psychosis and cause severe anxiety and fear reactions in some people. So the idea was to examine the effect that CBD and THC have on each other. The small study, published in 1982, had somewhat surprising results.
“The study sample consisted of eight volunteers with an average age of 27 years, without health problems and who had not used Cannabis sativa in the previous 15 days. In a double-blind procedure, volunteers received CBD, THC, THC + CBD, diazepam and placebo in different sequences and days. The results showed that the increase in anxiety after THC administration was significantly attenuated by the simultaneous administration of CBD (THC + CBD).”
Clearly, this means that CBD can reduce even THC-induced anxiety, and it worked just as well as diazepam. This was demonstrated in another study with healthy subjects.
2. CBD and anxiety in healthy patients
This small double-blind placebo study, conducted around 1993, is a favorite to cite for good reason. A small group of healthy volunteers were asked to do public speaking, an activity commonly associated with anxiety even in those with nerves of steel. This is significant because fear of public speaking is considered a central feature in social anxiety disorder, or SAD.
In this study, three hundred milligrams of CBD proved to be as effective an anxiolytic as ipsapirone, and even more effective than diazepam in volunteers under stress.
Using the same stress-inducing model, similar results were obtained in patients with social phobia. In this 2011 study, twenty-four patients diagnosed with SAD (of which social phobia was a prominent feature) showed notable relief with 600 mg of CBD. This was compared to the two control groups of healthy volunteers and SAD patients who did not receive any treatment.
3. But how?
By looking at cerebral blood flow, a group of researchers used functional neuroimaging on 10 healthy volunteers to see how the effects of CBD are mediated by the brain. They concluded that the calming effect of the compound was conferred through action on limbic and paralimbic brain areas. The latter is associated with emotional regulation and anxiety.
Therefore, use About our CBD oil before getting on a plane could have the same calming effects, perhaps even more, than prescription medications. Research shows that CBD and anti-anxiety medications can be taken together with good results. However, we tell you this with a note of warning.
Do not mix CBD with other drugs without visiting a doctor
Always see a doctor for advice before taking CBD with any prescription medication. Although, as mentioned, cannabidiol is generally considered safe for consumption, it is never a good idea to change a medical regimen without consulting a doctor.
Although there is limited research on the topic, it is possible that a high dose of CBD could trigger toxic levels of certain medications in the bloodstream. Some blood thinners, for example, use the same metabolic pathway as CBD in the body. This could lead, at least in theory, to an increase in the serum level of the drug, which could prove fatal. Theoretically, CBD could also increase serum levels of antipsychotics such as olanzapine, haloperidol, and chlorpromazine.
Additionally, CBD has been shown to interact with antidepressants such as SSRIs, tricyclics, beta blockers, and opioids (including codeine and oxycodone). If monitored carefully, this could be a good thing, as cannabidiol can enhance the effects of medications. With benzodiazepine, for example, CBD has been shown to increase sedation. However, only a qualified medical professional will know if this potential CBD-drug interaction is advantageous.
Using CBD for anxiety relief could be a possibility for many. Also consider other natural nerve relievers that don't involve taking anything, such as meditation, a worthy activity to get you through a long, scary flight.
Good article, a few drops of CBD before taking the plane and fly without fear! ha ha ha