CBD and Anxiety 

By Hans Doherty – Growing in Health Florida

Several years ago, around this same time of year, I received a phone call from a gentleman whos daughter was so stricken with with social anxiety that she wouldn’t leave her bedroom. She was suicidal and never, ever left the house. She had been prescribed very high dose anti-depressants and anti-psychotic medication to quell her situation. Dad was distraught because his child was so disconnected and was unable to find a pathway out of her current state. He was out of options. Her name was Kathy, and she was 23 years old.

He called us because another family member had suggested that cannabis might be an alternative treatment for her crippling anxiety. It’s important to distinguish between the THC cannabinoid and the CBD cannabinoid. Psychiatrists’ will generally NOT recommend THC for anxiety. It can exacerbate anxiety and often make it worse.

THC in Cannabis sativa and THC in cannabis indica are at two opposite ends of the spectrum with regards to the effects on the brain and body.  Sativa has a more uplifting and “creative” effect while Indica has a more sedative or “couch lock” effect. Think Indica…Think ‘In D Couch”, very relaxing. There are also several hybrid varieties which are “in the middle” as far as the effects.

CBD does NOT create the euphoric effect like THC can. That “high” effect can be quite unsettling if you don’t know what to expect or you have too much too fast. We try to eliminate the concerns by educating people about proper dosing.

Dad asked us to come by the house to talk with her and the family about the current status, and also ask about her medications.  CBD can interact with some meds. We always recommend that you consult with your doctor about your specific situation before starting any medication or supplement.

We were greeted warmly at the door. Mom, dad, Kathy (who stood peering through her doorway the whole time) and her sister were all there.  We talked about the bodies endocannabinoid system and how it regulates every aspect of our health, including anxiety. They had never heard of it. That’s not surprising. Many in the medical community have never heard of it either. That meeting ended with us offering Kathy some samples of the products we had available at that time, CBD tincture and cake. Yes, CBD cake. This was 5 years ago.

Anxiety can be a very serious health crisis that involves the entire family. When someone is dealing with hopelessness and fear it’s natural to seek remedy from pharmaceuticals. The doctors are quick to prescribe mind altering chemicals that can hopefully provide fast relief. Cannabis is the natural alternative. It nourishes the body and allows it to heal itself.

I got a message from Kathy months later. It moved me so much that I saved the message…
It was a Thursday 10:12PM. July 5, 2018
It read exactly “I want to thank you for giving me that cake when we first met. I think is saved my life”

Kathy recovered so well from her anxiety that she agreed to be a guest speaker at a public forum we held for the local community. She addressed 50-60 strangers about how cannabis, CBD,  had changed her life forever.

Thank you for reading!

We invite your questions at www.growinginhealthflorida.org.

7211 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Suite. 3
Naples, FL 34119
239-331-4807
www.growinginhealthflorida.org