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Social anxiety: CBD can help!
Temps de lecture
⌛
5 min
Social anxiety disorder can affect anyone. The manifestations of this phenomenon are numerous. Among them, for example, is the fear of being judged or rejected by others. The fear provoked by anxiety can lead some people to shut down in order to avoid certain everyday situations.
Social anxiety can be effectively treated with the help of a healthcare professional. Several types of treatment are available. They can be tailored to the individual's needs and preferences. Among the most common treatments, psychotherapy and medication are generally the most popular. CBD and its many benefits can also be an alternative. A natural solution, this substance can be considered as an adjunct to treatment.
Find out why CBD can help you feel more at ease in social anxiety situations.
Anxiety-related disorders
Feeling anxious before speaking in front of an audience or going to a business meeting is a classic feeling. This feeling of anxiety can even help a person to illustrate themselves. When this stress becomes persistent and appears regularly in everyday life, whether talking to friends or placing an order in a restaurant, for example, the situation becomes problematic.
Social anxiety is a phobia that often manifests itself very early in life, in adolescence or during the first years of adult life. This phobia is a disorder linked to anxiety, and is accompanied by other disorders also linked to anxiety, such as :
- Panic attacks
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Minor depression
The onset of these disorders in a person can stem from a number of causes. They may be the result of biological, psychological, genetic or environmental factors.
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. This type of anxiety manifests itself as intense fear in a person when confronted with social situations where he or she fears being judged, evaluated or criticized. Social anxiety can cause significant distress, impairing a person's normal daily routine.
Social anxiety: a widespread disorder
Social phobia can be influenced by a person's temperament, personal history, experiences, education, culture or social context.
Social networking, climate, geopolitical and health upheavals create a climate of anxiety that affects everyone. But some people, often with heightened sensitivity, are hit harder than others, and the number of people suffering from social anxiety is increasing every year.
The French National Authority for Health (HAS) estimates that 11% of people aged 18 to 65 in France will experience social anxiety in their lifetime[1]. That's around 6 million people, so if this is your case, you' re not alone!
How CBD works
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a molecule naturally present in cannabis. It binds to and stimulates the body's endocannabinoid receptors. This biological system is essential for maintaining balance in body and mind. It is involved in numerous biological, physiological and cognitive processes. In particular, it plays a part in our management of pain, stress, mood and sleep, and influences our appetite and memory, as well as reducing inflammation.
CBD is also said to have a positive impact on our metabolism's serotonin levels. This hormone is naturally secreted by the body. It also regulates sleep and mood, earning it the title of "happiness hormone".
Studies to back it up
Following the legalization of cannabidiol in France, Europe and the United States, numerous groups of researchers from specialized centers and medical journals have tried to define precisely the action of CBD on stress, anxiety and pain management.
One example is Medscape, the award-winning medical information site, which conducted a free and open study published in 2022[2]. It recorded the participation of 2,704 people, aged over 21, suffering from anxiety, insomnia or chronic pain, over a 4-week period.
Guess the result after one month of CBD consumption... According to the forms they filled out, participants reported feeling an improvement in their quality of life of 71% on average!
Over 60% reported a clear reduction in their daily stress levels and an improvement in their ability to fall asleep and sleep.
Prior to this, other studies, such as that conducted by Current Neuropharmacol[3], were able to identify cannabidiol's anti-panic properties in rats. The same study stated that it might be possible to use CBD as a substitute for benzodiazepines (generally prescribed to reduce anxiety, stress or insomnia).
Is it safe to consume CBD flowers?
Given the current state of research and knowledge, the question of the dangers associated with CBD consumption is open to debate. Nevertheless, "During its November 2017 meeting, the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence concluded that, in its pure state, cannabidiol (CBD) does not appear to have abuse potential, nor to be harmful to health" [4]. This position is also shared by the European Court of Justice, which has ruled in favor of the free marketing of the compound in France.
CBD is an active substance that produces no major side effects. Its relaxing properties may cause drowsiness or hypotension in the event of over-consumption. But these effects are short-lived, and CBD is neither habit-forming nor addictive.
In Europe, this molecule is not considered a medicine. It is classified as a dietary supplement. For it to work properly, it must be accompanied by a balanced diet and varied exercise. CBD can cause drug interactions, and it is not recommended to mix CBD with psychoactive substances (drugs, alcohol, etc.). If in doubt, contact your doctor.
CBD to overcome anxiety: why not give it a try?
We introduced you to CBD and its action on anxiety and related disorders. Of course, these anxiety disorders manifest themselves differently in different people, just as CBD acts differently according to each person's metabolism. Nevertheless, the effects are real, and can really help some people to live better every day. In the absence of any danger, why not give it a try?
CBD exists in many forms, even in food. All you have to do is get started, and maybe your anxiety will be a thing of the past!
