According to a 2019 study, as many as one in six South Africans live with some kind of anxiety and only 27% of those who report mental illness ever get treatment. Plus, because of Lockdown, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group reported that 55% of over 1000 people felt anxiety and panic. That’s a lot of us! The symptoms of anxiety range from person to person, but many report nausea, sweating, restlessness, and emotional distress – like the fear of impending doom or an overactive mind. 

So, where does CBD come in? Particularly in the last 10 years, CBD has been an exciting new possibility for the treatment of anxiety disorders. According to one study, CBD reduced the anxiety induced by public speaking in ‘healthy’ patients. Other patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) had similar positive results in reducing their symptoms with CBD, compared to their normal medication. Another batch of patients responded positively to anxiety relief using CBD after being exposed to fear-based memories that induce anxiety.

Scientists theorise that CBD at high concentrations directly stimulates our serotonin receptors, or our happiness chemical receptors. This leads to a decrease in the symptoms of anxiety. 

CBD also helps the body achieve homeostasis, where the body regulates and ‘communicates’ at an optimal level because it is balanced – this explains how it can help with the symptoms of anxiety like nausea. 

If you’re struggling with anxiety, chat to your healthcare practitioner about using Rethink CBD. If you haven’t reached out for help yet, find more information via the South African Anxiety and Depression Group. 

Bonus: it’s NAPPI coded, so if your doctor or healthcare provider prescribes it, it’s possibly your medical aid will accept your claim. You can also ask your friendly Pharmacist to try and claim it!

View our full range of CBD products, including oils, teas and booster shots.