This week’s Fibro Live show is about the link between CBD and anxiety. We will discuss what anxiety is, what CBD is, and how one can help the other. Join the discussion each Friday at Noon EST at Being Fibro Mom on Facebook as we talk about the latest fibromyalgia news, research, hot topics, treatment, book, and more.

{Scroll down for the video of this show.}

The link between #CBD and #Anxiety on #FibroLive with #BeingFibroMom Share on X

 

Welcome!

Today is the first day of Fall! I’m super excited about it because Fall is my favorite season. To celebrate, my dear friend, Sharon (she’s also known as The Tupperware Lady to some of us), came over to enjoy warm coffee and pumpkin pastries. Afterwards, we unpacked some of our Fall decor and chatted about life. It was a great time!

 

I was up and bright and early at 5 am and realized that today is also the premier of Lady Gaga’s documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two, on Netflix. This documentary is about Lady Gaga’s life and is not focused on fibromyalgia. To read more about the movie and an updated analysis of it, please click here.

As a program director and partner with International Support Fibromyalgia Network, I am working with them to host a panel discussion of Gaga: Five Foot Two. What we would like to do is challenge you to watch the documentary objectively, formulate your own opinion, and write down some of your questions.  You can send these questions in a message to the ISFN to be discussed during Monday’s live video.  If you do not wish to have your name mentioned with your questions please put “Anonymous” at the top of the message.

Join the event on Facebook here.

We would like as many of you that are able to join us Monday at 6pm EST/3pm PST on the International Support Fibromyalgia Network Facebook page for a panel discussion. The discussion will be led by some of the fibromyalgia community leaders as well as medical professionals that have worked “hands on” or researched Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Disorder, Lupus, and other chronic pain conditions.

Please remember to stay on the topic of Lady Gaga’s diagnosis, available treatments, and how the announcement might help or hinder the fibromyalgia and invisible illness communities.  The medical professionals joining us are not with us to provide personal consultations. They will be joining us to discuss many of the same topics.  If you wish to seek a consultation, contact information can be provided upon request.

 

The Link Between CBD and Anxiety

To understand the link between CBD and anxiety, let’s discuss what CBD and anxiety are separately.

 

What is anxiety?

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the most common psychiatric illness affecting children and adults. Approximately 40 million adults experience some type of anxiety. 

Symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Agoraphobia
• Generalized: I was diagnosed with this type when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
• Panic disorder and panic attacks
• Social anxiety
• Separation anxiety : My daughter experienced separation anxiety when she was about 18 months old. It seemed to calm down after a few months of therapy by licensed therapists experienced with separation anxiety in kids. She still has episodes occasionally, but it’s drastically less than before.

Experiencing anxiety occasionally is normal. When the symptoms persistent, seem uncontrollable, overwhelming, excessive, or you have an irrational dread of everyday situations that’s when you should tell your physician.

 

What is CBD?

According to Medical Marijuana, Inc, cannabidiol, or CBD, is a component found in cannabis and occurs naturally in significant amounts. While extracting CBD oils from marijuana plants are illegal, extracting CBD oil from hemp plants are not. However, CBD oil is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Hemp plants are grown more for the CBD compound rather than the THC compound. Generally, marijuana plants are grown for the THC compound (the stuff that makes you high).

Effects of CBD are:

• not psychoactive like THC (won’t give you that high)
• has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties
• Relieves nausea
• eases headaches, and
• relaxes muscle tension.

 

greencamp.com

 

Is CBD legal?

Yes, it is legal.While extracting CBD oils from marijuana plants are illegal, extracting CBD oil from hemp plants are not.

 

Products that have CBD include:

• capsules and drops,
• gums, and
• high concentration extracts.

Additionally, CBD is being used to enhance many skin and beauty products, including everything from shampoos to skin creams

 

How does CBD help anxiety and depression?

The following was found at Pharma Hemp:

“It is unknown completely how CBD impacts those who have anxiety and depression, but studies are just starting to emerge. General studies have indicated that CBD oil in some way impacts serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin is naturally occurring, though these natural chemicals sometimes can become lowered due to physical and environmental factors. When this happens, it can wreak havoc with mental health. People with depression classically causes anxiety and depression, and therefore CBD oil theoretically should help.

Another way in which CBD oil can help is by causing restful sleep. One of the symptoms of anxiety and depression is insomnia. Unfortunately, having insomnia can exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. They work in a symbiotic relationship and strain the sufferer’s mental health, but often there is nothing that the sufferer can do about it other than changing their medication intake. However, for insomnia, studies have shown that CBD oil can help our immensely. Therefore, anxiety and depression sufferers who use CBD oil can tackle two problems with one harmless solution.”

 

Additional Resources

• Fed Up with Fatigue: The Link Between CBD Oil and Fibromyalgia
• Fibromyalgia News Today: All articles regarding CBD

 

Fibro Live Show

 

Pin It

 

More Fibro Live Shows