Rather, short-term stress and an increase in adrenaline provide us with positive emotions, acting if only as a mobiliser. Such stress often brings with it unforgettable experiences. After all, won't we remember for the rest of our lives walking a tightrope over a deep ravine? Long-term and intense stress is a different matter, as it can literally poison one's life and make everyday life extremely difficult. But that is not all. Long-term stress can lead to neuropsychological, metabolic, physiological disorders. The consequences of stress can be serious diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, anxiety disorders or depression.
Stress - what is it and how does it work?
We have been exposed to stress since childhood. At first we think of it as something negative, but it often has a very positive effect on us and our body. It has a mobilising and motivating effect, making us capable of reaching for the clouds. But there is also another kind of stress. When the triggers of stress drag on and we fail to control them, stress becomes destructive. This leads, according to one definition of the effects of stress to: "metabolic, organic, physiological and neuropsychological disturbances caused by aggressive factors".
What are the symptoms of stress?
It varies from person to person, but most people start to feel an accelerated heartbeat, sudden sweating, even of the palms of their hands, some blush, others turn pale, dry mouth may be felt, there is muscle trembling and tension, constipation or diarrhoea, appetite disturbance, general fatigue and sleep problems. Long-term stress is not only a physical ailment, but there are also those of a psychological nature. People struggling with long-term stress develop fear, anxiety and eventually even panic attacks, as well as sadness and depression, often even leading to depression. Stress is often accompanied by frustration and helplessness, emotional labile, as well as problems with concentration and memory and feelings of guilt.
Effects of long-term stress
Chronic stress has an extremely destructive effect on the body. In medical terms, the tension caused by many negative, stressful stimuli leads to a stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This works in such a way that the hypothalamus reacts firstwhich produces corticoliberin (CRH), which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete corticotropin (ACTH) a corticotropin has a stimulating effect on the adrenal cortexy which produces the final cortisol, commonly known as stress hormone. When the body's cortisol levels rise, it starts to act as an immunosuppressant, which in turn leads to increased blood glucose levels.
But it doesn't stop there. The body begins to respond to stress by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, which results in the adrenal glands secreting adrenaline and noradrenaline, and these neurotransmitters lead to an accelerated heart rate and pupil dilation.
If nothing changes and life passes in permanent stress, incidentally the initial effects of stress above begin to develop into increasingly serious conditions. After all, the body comes to fight not only against stress itself, but against its often dramatic effects, such as:
- hypertension,
- endocannabinoid imbalance,
- insomnia,
- diabetes,
- reduced immunity,
- obesity,
- skin diseases,
- infertility,
- spontaneous headaches,
- atherosclerosis,
- sexual dysfunction,
- heart attack,
- anxiety disorders,
- panic attacks,
- gastrointestinal problems (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome occurs),
- depression,
- post-traumatic stress disorder.
As you can see, the effects of stress can be extremely serious, so it is important to combat it as soon as possible. There are many methods for dealing with stress. Everyone has to find the best one for themselves. Sometimes it's physical exercise, sometimes yoga and meditation, other times it's natural substances that nature offers, such as herbs or cannabidiol (CBD). Unfortunately, many people turn to stimulants, which only help for a while, causing further health problems. The help of a therapist can also be used. Often it also becomes necessary to use pharmacological agents.
Properties of CBD
A person exposed to long-term stress will sooner or later begin to struggle with health problems, so when the first effects of stress are seen, steps should be taken to counteract them. One can, of course, turn to pharmaceuticals, but more and more people, aware of their side effects, are turning to alternative therapies.
Research into the effects of CBD oils on the body has been ongoing for years. And although much is only in the clinical phase, some conclusions can already be drawn from the findings so far. And they are very promising. On top of this, many positive reviews from patients who use cannabidiol are widely available.
CBD oil is used supportively for many ailments and diseases, thanks to its versatile properties such as:
- antioxidant properties - protects and improves the quality and condition of the skin,
- anti-inflammatory properties,
- bone disease risk-reducing properties,
- Anti-cholesterol properties - reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease,
- anti-diabetic properties
- Neuroprotective properties - supports the maintenance of normal brain function,
- antidepressant properties - helps regulate mood effectively, stimulates action, reduces stress, has a relaxing effect,
- analgesic properties - these properties of cannabinoids have been known for centuries,
- facilitates falling asleep and improves the quality of sleep,
- supports the treatment of obesity,
- improves memory and concentration.
CBD oil in the fight against stress and its effects
In a nutshell, CBD oil provides comprehensive support for the entire body, as it affects the endocannabinoid system. And the above properties clearly indicate that when it comes to combating stress and its effects, it can prove to be immensely supportive. There has been and continues to be a great deal of research into the effects of CBD on various ailments that may be the result of stress. For example, social anxiety (SAD), which was studied in 2010 and showed that not only was anxiety reduced with cannabidiol, but the brain's initial response to anxiety was actually altered. Imaging studies showed changes in blood flow in areas of the brain that are specifically associated with anxiety and stress.
2014 saw further reports of CBD's positive effects, this time it is anti-anxiety and antidepressant. The studies were in this case conducted on animals and the results were very promising.
It's 2015 and the results of a study showing that CBD reduces anxiety and stress. It works well in the treatment of social anxiety, PTST (post-traumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and paroxysmal anxiety syndrome.
In 2019 Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry published a study proving that CBD helps treat social anxiety, which is triggered by public speaking.
Cannabidiol (CDB) is still a huge mystery. However, it is apparent that more and more of the mystery is being uncovered. It is certainly worth a try, as studies do not show that CBD oil is a burden on the body and causes serious side effects.
Bibliography:
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269881110379283
- https://cannabislight.pl/nie-lubisz-wystapien-publicznych-300mg-cbd-moze-zredukowac-stres-i-niepokoj/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24923339/
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
