Is Indica CBD Good For Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are a psychological health condition, making it challenging for people to stay calm or relaxed throughout the day. Common anxiety symptoms include nervousness, panic attacks, extreme fear/traumatic event, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, etc.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, more than 40 million people in the United States have anxiety. About 19.1% of adults and 7% of children between three and seventeen years suffer from anxiety, stressful situations, depression, or stress each year.

Learning about anxiety, deep relaxation techniques, physical relaxation, breathing methods, mindfulness, meditation, exercise, dietary changes, cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, medication, and group support, are common ways to manage anxiety.

However, recent research has shown that cannabis plants or cannabis products, including marijuana strains like indica or sativa strains, can help cope with anxiety. Some studies highlight that the best cannabis strains, including the right strains with high CBD content, can decrease anxiety.

Today’s article will discuss indica strains and how they differ from cannabis sativa plants or hybrid strains, highlight the evidence-based benefits of medical cannabis, and how it reduces anxiety symptoms. Read on!

What are Indica Strains?

The cannabis industry has grown in the past few years. There are different strains of cannabis. Indica strains come from the cannabis plant. The cannabis indica plant is usually bushier and shorter than the sativa plant. Some studies highlight that the best strains make the body/brain high and promote deep relaxation.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabis product with excellent medicinal benefits for physical and mental wellbeing. Indica is a cannabis plant, whereas CBD is an essential compound in hemp plants and marijuana. People use marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes.

Bear in mind that CBD is an integral component of the indica strain. On the other hand, sativa strains are popular for their “head high,” energizing, refreshing, and euphoric effects.

Sativa plants also contain high THC and CBD that interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors to reduce stress and anxiety and improve concentration, focus, and creativity. Types of cannabis determine the medicinal effects on different body areas, including the brain.

Indica strains produce full-body effects, fight anxiety, increase deep relaxation, and decrease insomnia. Popular choices or strains include northern lights, wedding cake, strawberry banana, Hindu Kush, Granddaddy purple, and girl scout cookies.

How Does Indica CBD Interact with the Brain?

A research study published on NCBI states that the NMDA receptor in the brain plays a critical role in neuroplasticity and related functions, including learning a language, cognitive behavior improvement, and memory retention. Indica CBD has excellent neuroprotective properties.

It regulates brain functions, including mood optimization, learning, and memory formation. It also interacts with other receptors to produce antipsychotic and anticonvulsive effects. There is a need for more research to confirm the efficacy of indica CBD strains on the endocannabinoid system in the brain.

Research and scientific studies are essential for understanding the unique effects of different indica CBD doses, medicinal properties, and drug administration. Some studies highlight that high levels of CBD are safe for people with anxiety because CBD does not produce psychoactive effects.

Indica CBD vs. THC

Although indica CBD and THC have the same chemical formula and contain 30 hydrogen atoms, 21 carbon atoms, and two oxygen atoms, both have different properties due to varied atoms configurations or arrangements.

So, the different atomic arrangements give CBD and THC different physical and chemical properties. It means CBD and THC have different effects on the human body. Both THC and CBD work with cannabinoid receptors in the body, particularly those that release neurotransmitters in the brain.

Both affect thighs like memory, sedative effects, sleep, mood, stress, and anxiety levels. Unlike sativa plants that contain a higher amount of THC than CBD, indica plants have higher CBD doses than THC.

Therefore, indica CBD produces more calming and relaxing effects on the brain. On the other hand, sativa causes a “high” or increased euphoric effect. Higher doses of sativa THC can produce side effects, including:

Dry mouth
Red eyes
Increased heart rate
Coordination issues
Memory loss
Euphoric effect
Anxiety

In contrast, indica CBD is an excellent option for treating anxiety and other medical conditions, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It also promotes deep relaxation and positively affects body muscles. Sleep aid and reduced symptoms of insomnia are other benefits of indica CBD. Let us now discuss what research studies say about indica CBD for anxiety.

Can Indica CBD Help Anxiety?

A growing body of research evidence shows that indica CBD can help with major depressive disorders, including stress, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorders or attacks, and social anxiety.

However, there is a need for more research on various population groups to validate the efficacy of indica CBD for depressive disorders. Most of these studies have been conducted on animals.

More studies on cannabis users (humans) are needed to determine whether Indica CBD can treat anxiety like antidepressants. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, indica CBD is safe to take with antidepressants and muscle relaxants.

However, you must check with your health provider or doctor before combining cannabis or marijuana with antidepressants, like SSRIs, for anxiety. The same study by the National Institute of Drug Abuse shows that CBD interacts with receptors in the brain and triggers neurotransmitters to release serotonin, a chemical that reduces stress/anxiety symptoms and improves mood. Serotonin also helps with:

Mood
Sleep
Digestion
Behavior
Calming effects
Muscle relaxation

In addition, a research study published on NCBI suggests that increased serotonin levels can improve symptoms of anxiety. Medications, including analgesics and antidepressants, regulate serotonin levels. However, a similar study highlights that CBD works similarly to antidepressants, anti-anxiety, or prescription medications.

According to Nature.com, indica CBD can reduce anxiety and panic disorders, including social anxiety. Another study shows that CBD reduces social anxiety and public fear symptoms and improves self-confidence and public speaking skills.

A 2015 study that reviewed more than 49 research studies found that indica CBD can help with various disorders, including social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic disorder (PTSD).

A 2019 research study published in the National Library of Medicine found that indica CBD can treat people with anxiety and sleep disorders, including difficulty falling asleep and insomnia. Medical marijuana can reduce feelings of anxiety and promote positive mood and behavior.

The same study highlighted that 80% of cannabis users had their anxiety symptoms improved, and about 70% of respondents said that medical marijuana, such as indica CBD, improved their sleeping patterns over time, making it an excellent choice for cannabis users.

What is the Right Dose of Indica CBD for Anxiety?

Taking the correct dose of indica CBD is essential to making the most of it. There are various factors to consider when choosing a particular strain for anxiety. For instance, you must evaluate the CBD ratio in marijuana or cannabis.

Understanding the ratio of CBD in cannabis or marijuana is essential to achieving the product’s positive effects and potential benefits. Products with a CBD-THC ratio of 1:0 contain CBD only and not THC.

So, CBD-only products produce non-psychoactive effects and promote mild to moderate mood-enhancing effects on people with anxiety. In addition, products that contain no THC can induce anxiety relief without side effects.

Experts recommend taking the correct dose during the daytime for deep relaxation. On the other hand, you can use a balanced cannabis product with an equal CBD and THC content. Daytime use of indica CBD is more beneficial because it positively impacts your overall body and promotes relaxation.

For example, products with a 1:1 ratio have mild to moderate psychoactive effects and relieve anxiety symptoms. However, the outcomes may vary from person to person. It depends on how their immune system and brain respond to the compounds. Bear in mind that the dose depends on individual needs.

Balanced or hybrid strains allow cannabis users to capitalize on THC’s soothing effects, and at the same time, CBD reduces the side effects of THC on the brain and other body organs.

Moreover, the psychoactive effects of THC-CBD hybrid cannabis products are mild and allow your body to function correctly throughout the day. Therefore, CBD-only products are particular strains, and along with hybrid strains, they benefit people with anxiety.

Although there is no standard indica CBD dose for anxiety, researchers at the University of Washington report that 300 mg to 600 mg of CBD is an appropriate dose for people to reduce anxiety and social phobia. However, more research is needed to determine the effective dose and potential risks. You can take indica CBD in various forms, including:

CBD Oils
essential oils
Drops
Capsules
Vapor
Teas
Candies

Final Words

Anxiety is a major depressive disorder that can take a massive toll on your physical and mental health. It reduces your self-esteem, decreases concentration/focus/coordination skills, and increases the risk of chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, chronic pain relief, heart diseases, and insomnia.

Although you can take antidepressants, opioids, and narcotics to reduce anxiety symptoms, long-term use of these drugs can cause severe side effects and lead to complications. On the other hand, indica CBD is a safer, more efficient, and reliable way to reduce anxiety. So, it is the best choice for anxiety sufferers.