How Understanding CECD Can Alleviate Anxiety Disorders

Updated on December 24, 2019

By Steele Clarke Smith, III

Steele Clarke Smith III Chairman CEO 1 copy

Sometimes, society makes it seem as if mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders, are modern weaknesses introduced by psychology and encouraged by therapeutic “coddling.” Nothing could be further from the truth. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), anxiety disorders have been documented since the Greco-Roman era. Ancient philosophers and physicians identified anxiety as a medical disorder, distinguishable from related forms of worry or stress. Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, such as Seneca, recommended treatments that foreshadowed modern cognitive therapies and mindfulness mediation techniques. In the intervening centuries, anxiety lost its classification as a separate disorder among a host of similar issues before being rediscovered in the late 19th century.

Today, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue in the US, according to reputable websites like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Approximately 18 percent of American adults and 8 percent of American children and teenagers have an anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorders, or phobias. Many people develop symptoms of one or more of these disorders before the age of 21. These symptoms can include pronounced or ongoing instances of apprehension, irritability, restlessness, pounding heart, sweating, headache, stomachache, insomnia, or fatigue. Related issues can also include ADHD, depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse.

Like many mental health issues, the factors that cause an anxiety disorder can be genetic or environmental – aka, the nature vs. nurture debate. When properly diagnosed by a mental healthcare professional, treatments can include cognitive behavioral therapy or antianxiety medication. Therapy can be an ongoing process with individual outcomes. Likewise, each type of anxiety comes with its own medication options. Some of these are more effective than others. Unfortunately, most of them are potentially addictive or otherwise harmful to your health.

Interestingly, new forays into clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD) suggest that anxiety disorders are one of the many issues that can be safely treated with cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. CECD originates in the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates the central and peripheral nervous systems. The ECS is composed of endocannabinoids – i.e., endogenous, lipid-based, retrograde neurotransmitters – and cannabinoid receptors, notably Cannabinoid #1 (CB1) and Cannabinoid #2 (CB2). When endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors fuse, they have a positive impact on the brain, glands, organs, immune cells, and connective tissue. Where damaged or insufficient endocannabinoids or cannabinoid receptors exist, the subsequent deficiency can be supplied by the cannabinoids found in cannabis, which closely mimics the efficacy of the body’s naturally occurring endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors.

The two major cannabinoid players in cannabis extraction are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC particularly activates the CB1 receptors that control psychological and behavioral effects, like anxiety. The euphoric effects of THC can be countered by various CB1 antagonists/inverse agonists, such as higher levels of CBD. An ancient solution first introduced by Chinese pharmacopoeia during the third millennia BC, modern research confirms that cannabis has a proven impact on anxiety disorders, as well as a host of other health concerns.

To combat the stigma of cannabis, as well as the issue of unreliable dosages, C3® International created Idrasil™, the world’s first medical cannabis prescription. Combining the optimum blend of cannabinoids with measurable dosages, Idrasil contains the only full spectrum of pure cannabis extractions and comes in 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 100 mg doses. As a tablet, Idrasil can be administered in smaller doses for non-euphoric, non-addictive treatment of a variety of health concerns. This natural, reliable, multi-target approach is a real game changer for the pharmaceutical industry, as well as for anxiety disorders.

Steele Clarke Smith, III is CEO of Idrasil™, the first and only standardized form of medical cannabis. Smith is Chairman of C3 International, Inc., the manufacturer of Idrasil. Smith is a pioneer of cannabis collectives in California, with a history of advocacy for the benefits of medical cannabis.

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.