Stressful Times
Travelling can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very stressful. Whether it’s getting ready to go, trying to suss out a new area, or maybe even getting checked-in at the airport. We have all muttered to ourselves at one stage or another, ‘ughhh, why is travelling so stressful?’. If you’re travelling via plane things can get a little more difficult. The National Institute of Mental Health says that around 25 percent of Americans suffer from aviophobia- the fear of flying. That’s more than 20 million people. Could CBD help nervous flyers relax and can it take the stress out of holiday prep?
What Can CBD Do?
The biggest way CBD could help with travel stress is it’s claim to reduce stress and anxiety. This supposed benefit could help with everything from packing to remaining calm even after a two-hour flight delay. Studies say that CBD could effectively treat anxiety due to the reaction it causes in the brain. Most of the research so far is preclinical and based on animal studies, however, it shows some insight that could move us in the right direction.
5-HT1A Agonist
The 5-HT1A is a type of serotonin receptor, and anxiety and depression can sometimes be treated with medications targeting this system. The medications include, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which effectively reduce anxiety and boost mood (in certain cases). Similar to SSRIs, CBD may boost signalling through serotonin receptors. In one study, it was discovered that CBD enhances the 5-HT1A transmission, reducing stress even quicker than SSRIs. Researchers said that “The fast onset of antidepressant action of CBD and the simultaneous anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect would solve some of the main limitations of current antidepressant therapies.”
Hippocampal Neurogenesis
The hippocampus is another very ‘technical term,’ but it’s also a major brain area which plays an important role in memory formation and cognition. Brain scans of stressed and anxious people often show a smaller hippocampus. And, successful treatment of anxiety usually sees the birth of new neurons (neurogenesis) in the hippocampus. Research found that repeated administration of CBD helped this part of the brain regenerate neurons, which could effectively combat stress and anxiety.
Travelling with CBD
The saying ‘mice are not men’ is quite relevant when it comes to preclinical studies on CBD, but the discoveries so far are pretty exciting. CBD is completely non-psychoactive as well as non-toxic, so taking a few drops daily on the weeks leading up to your holiday or during can really do no wrong. If you do happen to be travelling via airport in the Autumn season always make sure to check that CBD is legal in the country or place you are travelling to. Also, don’t forget to check your CBD label as some can contain over 0.3% of THC, and this could get you into some hot water with airport security. The last thing you want when trying to achieve a stress free holiday…
