Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illness in South Africa, affecting one in five of us, reports the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). More medications are available to treat anxiety than ever before, including antidepressants and benzodiazepines, and behavioural therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy have been clinically proven to help, notes SADAG.
Now CBD oil is being offered as an alternative, or supplementary treatment, but is it effective?
Cannabidiol or CBD contains cannabinoids (chemicals extracted from cannabis or hemp plants), but not the best known of these – THC, which causes a psychoactive high. CBD advocates suggest it has numerous benefits that extend to mental health, including anxiety, but it’s a relatively new scientific field and the few studies conducted so far have tended to be small and short-term.
In 2010, for instance, a small study (in the Journal of Psychopharmacology) suggested CBD could reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder in sufferers, with brain scans showing changes in the flow of blood to parts of the brain linked to anxious feelings. And in 2014, research on animals was published (‘CNS and Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets’); suggesting CBD had anti-anxiety effects for them.
In 2015 a review of previous studies (in the journal Neurotherapeutics) found that CBD held promise for various forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the report noted that data on long-term CBD use was limited: ‘Overall, this review emphasizes the potential value and need for further study of CBD in the treatment of anxiety disorders.’
At present, how safe is it to take CBD oil to treat anxiety?
To date, studies into CBD have found few negative side effects beyond occasional diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in appetite and weight, suggesting to some that it could be an option for people who experience these from other anxiety medications.
But, as CBD is not classified as a medicine, and products are not subjected to the same rigorous tests, caution seems sensible, and care should be taken in using reputable sources – Medical News Today has noted reports of acute poisoning from synthetic cannabinoids.
Anyone tempted to try it before more substantial research findings come in should be sure to first consult their healthcare professional, especially if they are already on medication for anxiety or anything else, as interaction could cause problems.
You should never stop taking any anxiety (or other) medication you are already on without first discussing it with your health professional, notes SADAG, which does not touch on the topic of CBD oil. For SADAG’s help treating anxiety and depression, call 0800 21 22 23 or visit www.sadag.org.za.
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