In our fast-paced lives, dealing with anxiety has become increasingly common.
As traditional options have their limitations, an increasing number of individuals are exploring alternative options to manage anxiety, and one natural compound has caught the attention of both researchers and the general public: Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD.
Derived from the hemp plant, CBD has surged in popularity for its many therapeutic and wellness benefits, particularly in the realm of anxiety.
In this article, we will provide a clear understanding of CBD’s effects on anxiety.
We’ll cover the basics, including what CBD is and how safe it is for anxiety. We’ll also explore the latest research on its potential benefits, the possible risks, the best ways to take it, the right dosage, and recommend top-notch CBD products for anxiety.
What is CBD?
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant. Unlike its well-known counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not induce a “high.”
Instead, it provides many wellness benefits by interacting with the endocannabinoid system in the body and helping it reach a state of homeostasis, regulating various physiological processes, including mood, chronic pain, sleep, and stress.
Is CBD safe?
According to the WHO, CBD is generally well-tolerated with a good safety profile. Additionally, there is no potential for abuse or dependency associated with using pure CBD.
However, choosing high-quality CBD products is essential, as impurities or low quality CBD formulations could lead to side effects.
How does CBD work for anxiety?
CBD’s potential in alleviating anxiety comes from its interaction with your body’s endocannabinoid system, which is a regulatory network of receptors spread throughout the body.
CBD indirectly affects CB1 and CB2 receptors in this system, influencing how neurotransmitters work. One key aspect is CBD’s interaction with the serotonin receptor, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation (1). By tweaking this receptor, CBD contributes to a sense of calmness within, potentially offering relief from anxiety.
Additionally, CBD also encourages the formation of new neurons in the brain, a process known as neurogenesis (2). This is linked to better moods and lower anxiety levels.
Moreover, CBD also plays a role in regulating cortisol in the body, which is a hormone linked to stress.
These different interactions within the endocannabinoid system are some of the ways CBD can help with anxiety.
Research on the benefits of CBD on anxiety
Research on the potential benefits of CBD for anxiety has gained significant traction in recent years, with studies exploring its effects on various anxiety disorders.
A 2015 research, concluded that the evidence strongly supports CBD as a viable treatment for a variety of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder (PD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD) when administered accurately.
Similarly, a 2019 study concluded that CBD is effective in calming the central nervous system of our body which further eases anxiety.
A 2020 study, conducted on males also found that CBD has anxiolytic properties.
However, it’s essential to note that while these findings are encouraging, the scientific community emphasizes the need for more extensive, well-controlled clinical trials to fully understand the effects of CBD on anxiety.
Risks of using CBD for anxiety
While CBD is generally considered safe, it’s not without risks.
1. Interaction with medications: CBD can interact with certain medications, particularly those metabolized by the liver. This interaction could lead to higher or lower levels of these medications in the bloodstream, impacting their effectiveness or causing adverse effects.
2. Quality and purity issues: The CBD market is still relatively unregulated, leading to variations in CBD product quality. Some products may contain impurities or inaccurate CBD concentrations, posing potential health risks. Choosing reputable CBD brands and products that undergo third-party testing can help you mitigate these concerns.
3. Side effects: While CBD is generally well-tolerated, in rare cases, some individuals may experience side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, changes in appetite, and diarrhea.
4. Unknown long-term effects: The long-term effects of regular CBD use are not well-established. Since CBD has gained popularity relatively recently, there’s limited research on its prolonged use.
5. Individual variability: Most individuals respond differently to CBD due to factors such as genetics and overall health. It’s difficult to predict how a specific person will react to CBD, and adjustments in dosage or using different types of CBD products could be required.
How to take CBD for anxiety?
CBD can be taken in the form of oils, capsules, edibles, gummies, drinks, or flowers. However, due to our bodies’ chemistry, you may find that some CBD products are more likely to solve a problem than others.
Some prefer the convenience of capsules or gummies, while others prefer the faster onset provided by flowers and prerolls.
Nevertheless, smoking CBD flowers or pre-rolls provides the quickest relief from anxiety, usually within minutes, as it can quickly metabolize the CBD.
Although CBD can also be used in topical form, any topical products are unlikely to reach the bloodstream, so they won’t be effective against anxiety.
Choosing the right CBD usage method for anxiety often comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.
However, it’s essential to start with a low CBD dosage, monitor how the body responds, and adjust the dosage as needed.
CBD dosage for anxiety?
It’s important to remember that CBD works differently for everybody, so there are no fixed CBD dosages that work for everyone. Yet, the best thing you can do is “start low and go slow” and eventually find the appropriate dose that suits you.
For most CBD products there are proper dosages mentioned on the label which you can follow as a baseline, typically between 10 mg to 25 mg.
Stay at this dose for 1–2 weeks and ask yourself: Are you feeling better? Is the anxiety level improving? Is it still bad at a certain time of day or night? Are you still having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep?
Score your anxiety level each day in the morning and evening (after dinner) on a scale from 0–10, where 0 = no anxiety, and 10 = worst anxiety, and write down the results and go from there.
Usually, for most people 15 to 30 mg of CBD dosage is the sweet spot. However, if you don’t feel the desired relief, try increasing the dose a little and observe how your body respond to it.
If you reach 50 mg total per day of CBD, stay at this level for another 4–6 weeks before increasing again (since the effects of CBD can take weeks to show in some people, this will avoid increasing the dose unnecessarily).
Remember, there is no perfect dose that works for everyone when it comes to CBD. Each person’s body is unique, so self-titration is the key to success.
Best CBD products for anxiety
There are so many choices of CBD products out there and choosing one that works best for anxiety is a difficult process because CBD brands are not authorized to sell any product by making any health claims.
The best you can do is look for the best CBD products in the market that are loved by thousands of people, such as:
CBDistillery’s CBD Oil
Specs:
- CBD Type: Full spectrum
- CBD Strength: 1000 mg per bottle
- Quantity: 30 ml
- Price: $60.00
- COA: Available
- Shipping: Free on orders over $75.00
- Returns: within 60 days
CBDistillery’s CBD oil is 1000 mg of full-spectrum CBD in a 30 ml bottle, this oil is a powerhouse of natural benefits that will help you experience the tranquility that comes with quality sleep, temporary stress, and anxiety relief, and a range of other advantages that will help you unlock a more relaxed and balanced lifestyle.
What sets this CBD oil apart is not just its effectiveness but its popularity. This is regarded as one of the best-selling CBD oils in the market, it has garnered trust and loyalty from countless users.
Green Roads CBD Gummies
Specs:
- CBD Type: CBD isolate
- CBD Strength: 10, 25 mg per gummy
- Quantity: 5, 10, 30 counts
- Price: $120.00
- COA: Available
- Shipping: Free on orders over $50.00
- Returns: within 30 days
Green Roads CBD gummies offer a burst of delicious flavors and the soothing benefits of CBD in every bite.
It is available in two convenient strength options of 10 mg and 25 mg of CBD isolate, these pharmacist-formulated gummies are a treat for both your taste buds and managing general stress and anxiety.
Additionally, these CBD gummies come in an array of amazing fruit flavors, including blue raspberry, lemon, cherry, green apple, and orange, and each has its own deliciousness.
Green Roads gummies are also amongst the bestsellers of this brand, earning thousands of positive reviews and many recurring customers every month.
Final Thoughts
CBD is a natural compound that offers a promising potential to manage anxiety in a much safer and more effective.
However, the research on CBD and anxiety is also evolving, and future studies will shed more light on its long-term effects.
Disclosure:
The information provided in this article is meant for general use only and may not always suit everyone’s individual needs. Your health and wellness are personal, so before making any decisions based on our content, you should consult a medical professional for personalized advice.
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