Cannabidiol and Anxiety

Cannabidiol and Anxiety
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TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Abstract PAGEREF _Toc530972586 \h 3
Introduction PAGEREF _Toc530972587 \h 4
Problem Statement PAGEREF _Toc530972588 \h 5
Research Question PAGEREF _Toc530972589 \h 5
Literature Review PAGEREF _Toc530972590 \h 6
Methods PAGEREF _Toc530972591 \h 9
Study population PAGEREF _Toc530972592 \h 9
Study Design PAGEREF _Toc530972593 \h 9
Analytical Comparisons PAGEREF _Toc530972594 \h 10
Measures PAGEREF _Toc530972595 \h 10
Data collection / Sampling PAGEREF _Toc530972596 \h 11
Statistical Analysis PAGEREF _Toc530972597 \h 11
Ethical Issues PAGEREF _Toc530972598 \h 12
Discussion PAGEREF _Toc530972599 \h 13
Strengths and Limitations of Using Randomized Controlled Trial Study Design PAGEREF _Toc530972600 \h 13
Future Research PAGEREF _Toc530972601 \h 14
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main non-psychotropic constituent of the Cannabis sativa plant that lacks psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD contains broad therapeutic properties that can address various neuropsychiatric disorders in patients. The purpose of this research proposal is to determine the effectiveness of CBD oil in people aged between 19 and 25 suffering from anxiety. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is the study design that will be best suited to address the research question because the goal is to establish the effectiveness of CBD and RCT will help determine whether there is the likely effect of CBD oil on anxiety in young adults. Further research and investigation should focus on identifying the specific issues that CBD can treat in human bodies. Additional research on the ability and mechanisms of CBD to regulate learned fear is warranted.
Introduction
Anxiety is a common adaptive reaction by humans in dealing with threats as a means of survival. Excessive anxiety and fear, however, may become maladaptive causing disability. Several symptoms are arising from extreme anxiety that causes some neuropsychiatric disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD) (Blessing, Steenkamp, Manzanares & Marmar, 2015). Such disorders are linked to relationship breakdown, the increased rate to commit suicide, and increased rates of unemployment (Blessing, Steenkamp, Manzanares & Marmar, 2015).
According to Jurkus et al., (2016), anxiety-related disorders affect a quarter of people in the course their lifetime. Blessing, Steenkamp, Manzanares & Marmar (2015) contend with this argument adding that anxiety disorders have a 29% prevalence rate in the USA thus increasing the social and economic burden of the affected and their families. Both psychological and pharmacological treatments are used to treat anxiety disorders. Psychological treatments include exposure therapy with limited efficacy whereas pharmacological therapies such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and benzodiazepines among others albeit limited response rates and residual symptoms. Adverse effects and lack of effectiveness of these medications usually lead to non-adherence of the treatment by the patients (Jurkus et al., 2016; Blessing, St...