Table of Contents
Introduction
When you have anxiety weighing down on you, you’ll try just about anything to feel better – even that thing you heard that works for your cousin’s best friend’s neighbor (who’s very much not a doctor, by the way). Lucky for you, CBD for anxiety relief comes with the recommendation of top minds.
Anxiety medications aren’t as legit as they seem (yes, don’t fall for the millions spent on advert budgets). You should try CBD to feel better and keep an anxiety breakdown at bay. Spoiler alert: CBD is quite effective at calming the mind, even through the most severe attacks.
Understanding Anxiety: What Research Says
Living with anxiety is a never-ending battle (day after day). With racing thoughts, a racing heart, and constant restlessness, people dealing with anxiety usually have a lot on their plate. So, understandably, they are always willing to drop everything and chase after new and promising remedies.
Anxiety is a mental health condition affecting daily life, causing worry, fear, and unease. Despite this, anxiety only becomes a problem when the affected stops living life and starts living based on their fears. Anxiety can be exhausting and make it difficult to function at your best.
We all fear change and worry about things; both feelings are our brain’s way of keeping us from danger. Left unchecked, this can turn into an anxiety disorder. Anxiety comes in many different forms for which there is good treatment. As a rule, you always want to consult a trained professional first.
CBD for Anxiety: Does it Work?
Short answer: Yes, CBD works on anxiety. The field is relatively young, but recent studies reveal promising results in treating anxiety. A study published in 2019 concluded that CBD worked better than a placebo for teenagers with social anxiety. Patients reported improvement after adding CBD to their diet in a study conducted in 2022.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a type of cannabinoid, a natural compound extracted from the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid, CBD has no psychoactive properties. Simply put, you get “high” when you consume THC but not CBD.
As you can imagine, CBD oil has gained recognition for its potential therapeutic benefits, fueled by every discovery of its medical use cases. Today, CBD is prescribed to patients with chronic diseases and as a remedy for many pain-related symptoms. Its ability to alleviate anxiety symptoms is not as widespread.
The result of CBD application on anxiety and depression patients has been promising. In any case, both conditions are treated using the same drugs. One might add that one influences the other. Besides, anxiety and depression come along due to the same brain processes.
In that case, it only makes sense that the same CBD that works on anxiety can benefit depression. Right? Hold on! There has been limited study on the effects of CBD on depression. However, multiple animal studies have found that CBD has some antidepressant properties.
Another study of people living with various cancers and chronic illnesses published in 2012 administered CBD and THC drugs and found that depression levels decreased. Other studies published in 2018 proved that CBD could reverse depression symptoms resulting from marijuana use.
A survey of 2,000 people with depression found that 18% of participants reported using CBD to manage depression. When asked to rate the experience and results, two-thirds gave positive reviews. As promising as this sounds, there is still a need to do more research on this subject.
How to Treat Anxiety Using CBD?
That’s a question to discuss with your doctor. Depending on any other medication you’ve been prescribed, a healthcare professional will help you decide on the best method to consume CBD. Remember to follow through on the recommended dosage to avoid unnecessary effects.
CBD comes in several different forms, and they all work differently. While inhaling CBD works quickly, it’s not the best for anxiety. Sublingual and oral forms take longer to effect (1 to 2 hours or more) but also last longer. Consult with a professional to find the best form of CBD for you.
You can consider Hempati CBD Oil, which is made from high-quality hemp plants and undergoes a rigorous extraction process to ensure the purity of the CBD. This oil is easy to use and comes with a dropper for precise dosing. Plus, Hempati CBD Oil is THC-free, meaning it won’t get you high or cause any psychoactive effects.
Is CBD Safe?
As things stand today, CBD is only approved for treating seizure disorders. The World Health Organization recently published a report concluding that it generally found CBD to be safe and not likely to be abused. The reported side effects were within the expected effects of taking any other drug.
Besides treating seizures, CBD products aren’t regulated by multiple regulatory bodies in the food industry. The strict guidelines CBD brands have to adhere to means the government can guarantee the safety of the consumer as long as the manufacturer follows the set guidelines.
On your part, there are some things you can do to ensure your safety. For starters, only purchase CBD from reputable brands. Check for third-party testing to only buy products with the ingredients listed on the product label, including the intoxicating ingredient in the cannabis plant, THC.
Potential Side Effects of Taking CBD Products
CBD is generally well-tolerated, but clinical studies have identified several possible side effects. First, CBD interacts with other drugs and can change how they work in your body. The effects include sleepiness, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and mood changes, among others.
Warning: continuous consumption can lead to dangerous side effects. Some people may experience mild and temporary side effects. As always, consult with a healthcare professional before using CBD. It’s important to ensure it’s safe to use alongside already prescribed medications.
Final Thoughts
Living with anxiety can be downright challenging. CBD has emerged as a natural remedy for promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Yes, research on the use of CBD for anxiety is still lacking, but there is promise. Keep in mind that CBD is not a miracle drug and may not work for everyone.
