In week 9’s episode, we spoke to Dr. David Feng, MBChB, BSc, FRACGP about common questions that patients have when exploring cannabis as an alternative therapy. Dr Feng is the Medical Director and one of the founders of Cannadoc Australia, a doctor clinic with a specialist focus on alternative therapies involving cannabis.

Dr. Feng graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Otago in New Zealand. He then completed specialist GP training in Melbourne, Australia and became a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2016. He is an advocate for alternative therapies involving cannabis and educational matters in regards of medicinal CBD.

Medicinal CBD Oil Treatment for Anxiety

Neurotransmitters in your brain play a role in your state of mind.  As such, you can have normal states and anxiety states.  Resultantly, a traditional treatment for anxiety includes cognitive-behavioural intervention

CBD is a cannabinoid that works by interacting and stimulating your endocannabinoid system.  The endocannabinoid system is a central regulatory system within your body that helps you maintain homeostasis.  This system affects a wide range of biological processes, including involvement in regulating your mood and emotions.  As such, CBD plays a role in the alleviation of anxiety.

More recently, global regulations around medicinal CBD are relaxing.  Consequently, CBD is receiving more research attention.  To date, the majority of cannabis research focuses on treatment for pain and a range of physical conditions.  However, early research into the potential of CBD in the field of psychiatry is promising.

Research shows that CBD works to improve anxiety and depression.  A study from Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior showed that low and high doses of CBD may have anti-anxiety effects.

Furthermore, a study from the British Journal of Pharmacology illustrated that CBD, along with other minor cannabinoids allow anandamide to last longer in your system, leading to a reduction in anxiety symptoms.

External Links:

https://wayofleaf.com/cannabis/101/cannabis-as-an-alternative-medicine