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In today’s world, stress is everywhere.
Whether it’s work or family, life can demand a lot of us. For some, taking CBD can be a useful way to reduce the symptoms of stress.
What's the evidence that CBD can help with stress? And will it work for you? Let's take a closer look.
(Note: Always check with your doctor before starting any supplement, including CBD, especially if you have a health condition or take prescription medication.)
What do studies show?
A great deal of what we know about CBD and its effects on stress comes from research around anxiety.
A 2011 study looked at a small group of participants with social anxiety disorder. Some participants were given 400mg of CBD orally while others were given a placebo. The participants who were given CBD reported "significantly decreased subjective anxiety" that was statistically significant.
Another 2011 study in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry put subjects in a simulated public speaking test. Using self-reporting and physiological measures, such as heart rate, researchers found that the subjects who took 300mg of CBD 90 minutes before the test reduced their anxiety.
A study in 2019 followed 72 patients with concerns of anxiety and poor sleep. The patients were given 25mg of CBD in capsule form. After one month, 80% of the participants saw improvements in their anxiety. Those results were sustained for the duration of the study.
While these tests have generally positive indications, there is much more work to be done to confirm and understand CBD's effects. Moreover, subjects in these studies were typically given very large ("acute") doses of CBD. Further study is required to understand the optimal dosing for different situations.
How does it work?
We're still just scratching the surface in understanding how cannabis affects our health and wellness.
CBD is thought to interact with receptors in the nervous system. These receptors are protein-based structures attached to our cells that are made to receive stimuli.
Scientists have learned that CBD may interact with the receptors altering serotonin, or internal “feel-good” chemical. This is one hypothesis for how CBD affects symptoms of stress and anxiety. Chronic stress is known to lower serotonin levels.
Will it work for me?
Across all known studies of CBD, it is generally found to be well-tolerated in most patients. So while it may not solve your stress, it is unlikely to cause harm.
If you're considering taking CBD, speak to your doctor first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a health condition.
In surveys, most of our customers report taking 20mg of CBD at a time – some more, more less. We recommend starting with 20mg, noticing how you feel, and increase or decrease as needed. It’s also important to note that CBD may take time to work. Give it at least two weeks.
While there is much more to know about the effects CBD has on the brain and body, it may be a better alternative to many other things that people use to relax.