Anxiety is the excessive, persistent, and intense sense of worrying or having a fear of everyday situations. Millions of people worldwide are affected by this disorder and have a hard time finding treatment for their anxiety. There is a significant amount of attention on alternative and natural treatments, and cannabidiol (CBD) can play a part in managing anxiety.
In this article, we will be discussing the importance of understanding anxiety, the role CBD plays, and how to incorporate it into managing your anxiety.
Understanding Anxiety
As mentioned, anxiety is the continual worry and fear of everyday situations due to a natural stress response. Fatigue, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and irritability are all common symptoms of anxiety. Frequent worry, withdrawal from social life, recurring nightmares or flashbacks, and out-of-the-blue panic attacks are major signs of this disorder.
A combination of genetic, psychological factors, and environmental factors can cause anxiety. There are causes and triggers, both internally and externally. Examples of internal causes are the inability to accept uncertainty, negative self-talk, perfectionism, and pessimism. Things like relationship difficulties; being busy; children and family; financial problems; and significant life changes are all external causes and triggers of anxiety. Current treatments for anxiety include lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and medications.
In addition to other options, such as opting for powerful prescription drugs to alleviate anxiety, CBD has emerged as a promising solution for treating anxiety. More and more individuals are turning towards CBD as some studies suggest that CBD be considered a natural remedy, offering a safer approach than dangerous side effects associated with traditional anxiety medications.
Introduction to CBD
We have been discussing CBD, but let’s now discuss what it is. CBD, cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis plants. When you think of cannabis, you might think of THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, which produces a “high.” Luckily, CBD does not produce a “high” like its counterpart, THC, and it has been progressively studied for its potential therapeutic benefits.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a biological system that is part of the overall neuromodulatory system that plays an important role in the central nervous system’s development. The ECS is also a complex-signaling system that plays a critical role in regulating stress, anxiety, and mood. A balance occurs when the CBD interacts with the ECS, and anxiety symptoms are alleviated.
One of the main things people worry about is that CBD does come from a cannabis plant, just like THC. It should be clear and made known that, though CBD and THC are both cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, there are many differences. The biggest THC produces psychoactive effects due to a “high,” while CBD will not because it does not have a non-psychoactive. CBD and THC affect different receptors in the brain. CBD can activate a serotonin receptor that may assist in alleviating symptoms like anxiety, vomiting, nausea, and the perception of pain; this explains its potential health benefits for anxiety relief.
For those concerned with the legality of CBD, it is legal in many countries! The legality of CBD can vary in the United States because each state has its own set of laws. For example, in Florida, CBD is conditionally legal, while in Illinois, CBD is entirely legal.
CBD and Anxiety: The Science Behind It
Research into CBD’s effect on anxiety is still in its early stages. Nevertheless, preliminary studies have shown encouraging results in reducing anxiety through CBD. There is evidence, preclinically and clinically, that concludes that CBD is an effective treatment for many types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); panic disorder (PD); social anxiety disorder (SAD); obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, 78-79% of people in research have proven CBD effective, with a few, a little over 10%, saying that it caused worse symptoms.
To break a little down, CBD reduces anxiety by interacting with the serotonin receptors. Because of this, CBD increases the availability of anandamide and regulates the ECS. Researchers have discovered that CBD minimizes blood flow to the areas of the brain that links with anxiety. For example, anxiety would reduce the blood flow to the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that produces hormones, which tends to become overactive in people with anxiety disorders. Another benefit is that CBD can also be effective as an antidepressant. This happens by balancing the dysfunction in the ECS in people with depression.
Studies on CBD’s potential for long-term anxiety management still need more research. It is still considered an essential tool in managing anxiety, especially for those seeking a non-addictive and natural alternative to the common traditional treatments. Research has also suggested that CBD can have the advantage of not producing anxiogenic effects. Anxiogenic effects are things that cause anxiety. Though most people tolerate CBD well, and it is generally considered safe, some users can experience effects like diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, drowsiness, and reduced appetite. It is also important that you don’t mix this with other medications you are taking, like aspirin and other blood thinners.
Choosing the Best CBD Product for Anxiety
When choosing the best CBD product for your anxiety, you must first be informed of the many different types of CBD products.
Oils and Tinctures
The oils and tinctures are CBD-infused liquids. They are usually taken sublingually, which means that it is taken by placing a drug under your tongue to dissolve and absorb into your blood through the tissue there. It is known to be an easy and precise delivery system; to add on, it is rapid onset if held under the tongue instead of being swallowed. The only con people would say about it, is that they do not like the taste.
Capsules and Pills
These are CBD-containing pills or soft gels. They are taken orally and are generally discreet, and have long-lasting effects. They are also very easy to dose. Also, the capsules and pills have a longer onset time. Another con is that they are hard to swallow for people who don’t like pills.
Edibles
Edibles are ingestible CBD products, like gummies with different flavors. They are also taken orally, a plus is that they are easy to transport and easy to eat. Most people taking this form of CBD often consider it easy to dose and discreet. Though the gummies are easy to transport, the gummies can melt. It should be made known that it takes a longer time for it to kick in.
Vapes and E-liquids
Vapes and E-liquids are CBD-infused liquids that are inhaled with a vaporizer. They may contain dangerous additives but provides the fastest onset time. A big downfall with this type is that it may cause health conditions and affect the lungs due to the additives in them.
Topicals
Topicals are also lotions, patches, creams, or ointments. These are all called topicals because they can be applied to the skin as treatment. This treatment is good because you can target the area where the pain is with the treatment, and the patches release the CBD into the bloodstream. The only problem would be that it is difficult to dose.
When selecting a CBD product, you must consider factors such as purity, quality, concentration, and type of CBD (full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate). It is known that some CBD products contain THC, so making sure to read THC levels is important. You might wonder why they are mixed in some treatments; well, some researchers suggest that the THC enhances the CBD making it more effective. Another thing to consider is where the CBD is if it is made from hemp. This is important because many CBD products come from hemp and not Marijuana. If you were to see that the CBD product is grown from hemp, then you should check the label and see where the hemp was grown; if it is grown in Colorado, then it is a good sign! An extremely important thing to factor in your potential CBD product is to see the product’s certificate of analysis (COA). The COA is a document that shows how a product performed on tests that check for CBD and THC levels. The certificate of analysis also shows the presence of contaminants, so you know the levels of each.
Finding the right dosage of CBD for anxiety could require some trial and error. You should start with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage until you find an effective amount that suits your needs. This method could be a little difficult for some of the different types of CBD due to administration. Types of administration methods are oral, sublingual, and topical application. When deciding the dosage you also need to consider the concentration and ingredients that are included in the CBD. You will want to look for third-party testing to guarantee the quality, purity, and safety of the product.
Top 5 Best CBD Brands for Anxiety Relief
Factors such as reputation, customer reviews, quality, and third-party testing have been considered when determining the top CBD brands for your anxiety relief.
#1. Highland Pharm’s Relief CBD Gummies
Known for its strawberry flavors, Highland Pharm’s Relief CBD Gummies are loaded with 25 mg of CBD and 200mg of Devil’s Claw, a plant used in the medical realm to treat pain, fever, and organ problems. This product is also vegan! You obtain 750mg of CBD and 6,000mg of Devil’s Claw in each bottle. The product is rated 4.37 out of 5, and most complaints are subjective due to people reacting differently to the treatment. So with this product, check and make sure that all the ingredients are suitable for you and your body.
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#2. CBDfx Oil Calming Tincture
The CBDFx’s Oil Calming Tincture has full spectrum CBD and CBN (cannabinol) that is combined with a proprietary terpene blend designed to help calm your mind. This treatment is excellent for you to apply during the day, or you can relax your nerves and take some before getting a good night’s rest. The plus of this product is that you can choose the strength of your tincture, ranging from 1000-6000mg. The tincture is gluten-free, organic, and vegan; though this is great, some don’t like that cannabinol (CBN) is in the oil-calming tincture. This is considered a con to some because CBN is a weaker form of THC, and some may have a problem with the psychoactive effects.
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#3. CBDistillery CBD Oil Tincture
CBDistillery’s CBD Oil Tincture is easy to adapt CBD into your daily routine. Just like the previous product, this company gives you a choice of what mg per serving you’d like. The range is from 17mg per serving (500mg bottle) to 83mg per serving (2500mg bottle). This will help you on the journey of starting and determining what your favorite daily dose is! The reviews are great about this product, and most people have the same comment about how reliable and reasonable the product is.
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#4. Nuleaf Naturals CBD Capsules
Nuleaf Natural’s CBD Capsules are full spectrum and contain whole-plant hemp. This product suggests a starting dose of 2 capsules (30mg) daily or as much as is needed. The bottles can have either 300mg, 900mg, or 1800mg of CBD in each. These capsules are soft gel, usually preferred because they slide down easier. The ratings for this product are 4.9 out of 5, with customers mentioning how great the product is and how it makes their bodies feel so much better.
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#5. Cornbread Hemp CBD Gummies
Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Gummies are full-spectrum gummies. These gummies include up to 2mg of THC per serving, so this product may not be for you for people who want to steer away from potential psychoactive effects. As for the rest of the gummies, they have no gelatin and are also the highest-quality CBD gummies one can find. This product helps with sleeping issues and other anxiety symptoms and has 4 stars out of 5 for its ratings.
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Some of the prices from these brands could be better, but you have to consider the beneficial effects of it—benefits like calming the mind, obtaining great sleep, and improving pain in your body. When you put it into that perspective, these top brands will do you some good for your anxiety. Though not mentioned in this list, some CBD vapes are well-known to be very effective. You want to watch out for what else the vape or e-cig contains because your body could be affected due to the not-so-safe ingredients inside.
Tips That Will Affect Your Experience With CBD
It is better to use these treatments while also going to therapies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy will enhance anxiety relief while you are using the treatment. While waiting for your shipment or starting with your treatment, applying little yet meaningful changes to your lifestyle is also key. Improving sleeping habits, eating better, practicing relaxation techniques, and exercising regularly can enhance and support your anxiety relief experience. In the beginning, you must track your anxiety symptoms when taking a certain amount of dosage; this will help you visually see how the treatment is affecting you and determine what type of dosage you would need.
It is essential to discuss with a health care professional before anything. If you take other medications or have underlying health conditions, you must know how inserting CBD into your life will affect your health. When you start using a treatment, it is key that you stay patient. Patience through the process is the only way the process will work. You will need to start with a low dosage and remain there until you understand the full effect. Then, you may increase, as said in the prior paragraph.
To conclude, CBD for anxiety will be the next best thing for anxiety treatments. While the research is still ongoing about CBD, numerous people have experienced relief from anxiety symptoms. CBD’s potential benefits are bound to grow as some research is conducted. That said, it is a great idea to consult a healthcare professional when considering CBD for your anxiety. Finding the proper dosage can take time, and finding the right product for you is good. The biggest thing is not to stress, be patient, and not be afraid to make adjustments to find the best treatment for you. With these characteristics and having someone there by your side to encourage you, CBD may become a significant part of your journey toward being anxiety-free and feeling back to normal!
Also Checkout: Top 18 Best CBD Gummies List
