ExecutiveChronicles | Do CBD Gummies Work Better Than Lexapro For Anxiety? | Anxiety is a pretty normal emotion. People often feel anxious and stressed in uncomfortable situations. Occasional anxiety isn’t a big issue as it gets away independently. But, frequent and long-term anxiety attacks are dangerous and may sign anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders can be of many types, and in severe cases, they may be life-threatening. Yet, one could treat anxiety disorders with a range of medications. There are also some alternative ways, such as CBD gummies. CBD Gummies may also help treat anxiety disorder, which we will discuss today.
Before that, let’s see some anxiety disorders to understand these mental disorders better.
- General Anxiety Disorder (GAD): In this disorder, people feel excessive and unrealistic tensions without any proper reason. Overthinking is the most common symptom of GAD.
- Panic Disorder: Patients with panic disorder frequently get into a feeling of sudden and severe fear. Symptoms of panic disorder include heavy sweating and chest pain with a considerably high heart beating.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Patients with SAD often find it unbearable to be in public gatherings. Moreover, they get an intense feeling of being judged, embarrassed, or made fun of.
Apart from these disorders, sometimes, phobias could also contribute to anxiety disorders.
The most popular treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy and medication. People suffering from anxiety disorder and depression are often treated with Lexapro. Lexapro is the brand name of the drug Escitalopram, and it belongs to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI.
Upon taking Lexapro, patients may feel an improvement in their energy levels. Moreover, it may also decrease the nervousness in patients. However, the drug also has several side effects: nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, and drowsiness. The medicine may also cause erectile dysfunction and loss of interest in sex in some people.
Due to the side effects associated with Lexapro, many people don’t like to take anxiety medication. Interestingly, now we have other options that may help treat anxiety disorders.
Can CBD gummies replace Lexapro?
To know the definite answer to this question, first, we need to understand how Lexapro and CBD gummies work. So, let’s start.
How does Lexapro work?
As already mentioned, Lexapro belongs to the SSRI class of drugs. The drug works by raising the level of serotonin in the brain. So, when serotonin levels are high in the system, the symptoms of anxiety and depression go away. Moreover, Lexapro is well tolerated and has fewer side effects than traditional antidepressants.
However, Lexapro still has some side effects, and it decreases the amount of sodium in the body, which affects the older patients taking diuretics medicine. Besides, it is also not suitable for people suffering from glaucoma and heart conditions.
How do CBD Gummies work in anxiety?
According to researchers of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and King’s College London, CBD activates the serotonin receptor at high concentrations. By activating the serotonin receptor, CBD helps to provide anti-anxiety effects. Furthermore, CBD also inhibits the absorption of certain neurotransmitters. The inhibition helps in the buildup of these chemicals, which helps in lowering anxiety.
Evidence in support of CBD to treat anxiety and depression:
According to a 2014 animal study, CBD produces antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects by affecting the brain’s serotonin. A 2018 review study also shows CBD has anti-stress effects. These effects may help in reducing depression caused due to stress.
The National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that CBD has shown promising results in GAD in rats. Apart from GAD, CBD may also help patients with SAD and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A 2011 study says, giving a 400mg dose of CBD orally can reduce overall anxiety levels in patients suffering from SAD.
CBD Gummies: An Alternative option for Lexapro
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural substance predominantly available in the cannabis and hemp plant. Moreover, the compound possesses several medicinal properties. These properties give CBD a unique place in the health and wellness market. Nowadays, CBD is very popular around the world, with an annual turnover of billions of dollars.
Among many other medicinal benefits of CBD, people believe CBD may help treat anxiety disorders. Even the scientific community believes using CBD may help improve the conditions of patients battling anxiety and depression. Besides, CBD rarely has any side effects and is relatively safer than other over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
CBD gummies are the most popular choice among Lexapro users compared to all other CBD products. Pure CBD products are also non-psychoactive, meaning users don’t get a ‘high’ after consuming CBD products. Due to this, even some Lexapro users are trying CBD products.
CBD affects the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining the internal balance in the human body. The ECS regulates various functions such as mood, anxiety, pain sensation, appetite, sleep, and immune response.
Moreover, ECS also affects the binding of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are mainly responsible for uplifting mood and managing stress and anxiety response.
Why should anxiety patients take CBD gummies?
CBD gummies are sweet, but at the same time, they have fewer side effects than Lexapro or any other antidepressant. Moreover, gummies are discreet and can be taken anywhere. More interesting is that drugs such as Lexapro take weeks to start working. However, CBD has an immediate but sustained antidepressant effect.
CBD gummies have many edges over the traditional antidepressant medication such as Lexapro. Yet, CBD isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an antidepressant medication.
Though CBD may have some benefits over Lexapro, experts say it isn’t a replacement. If your doctor has prescribed Lexapro, they think the benefits of Lexapro are higher than the side effects.
So, it would be best to continue your anti-depression medication. So, don’t forget to talk with your doctor if you want to try some CBD gummies with Lexapro. Or replace the drug with gummies. When it comes to mental health, one should take all necessary measures to improve it.
Photo by Elsa Olofsson on Unsplash
