Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting over 40 million Americans and causing undue stress, anxiety, and depression in those who suffer from them. Fortunately, CBD (cannabidiol), the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been shown to effectively alleviate symptoms of anxiety in both human and animal models, making it a potentially viable option for sufferers of anxiety. Here’s how to use CBD oil to alleviate your symptoms of anxiety so you can finally feel at ease without any dangerous side effects or health risks.
What Is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 60 compounds found in cannabis that belong to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. CBD is naturally occurring and has shown anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, anti-anxiety, and seizure activity. As well as being a potential treatment for epilepsy, it has shown promise in treating various other medical conditions including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and addiction. It can be taken as a hemp oil tincture, capsule, edible, spray, or topical lotion; you can also take it by inhaling the substance with a vape pen. If you’re looking for relief from anxiety, insomnia, and depression then you might want to consider giving CBD oil a try.
CBD for Generalized Anxiety
If you’re suffering from chronic, generalized anxiety, CBD can be a good solution for you. CBD works by interacting with receptors in your brain, so it helps to calm your nervous system. Because it does not have any psychoactive effects like THC, CBD won’t interfere with your ability to think clearly and maintain focus. This means you can use CBD effectively without feeling anxious or paranoid during everyday situations. In addition, because CBD doesn’t affect the same pathways as pharmaceuticals as Xanax and Valium do, you don’t need to worry about developing an addiction. There are also no dangerous withdrawal symptoms when stopping CBD treatment either.
CBD for Anxiety and Depression
The cannabinoid CBD (short for cannabidiol) has been studied extensively over the years, thanks to its ability to treat a wide range of ailments. What many people don’t know is that CBD also helps reduce anxiety and depression – without getting you high! In fact, research shows CBD may be effective at alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, it appears that there are several ways in which CBD helps alleviate these mental health conditions. When taken with other medications, CBD seems to work synergistically with those drugs. Furthermore, animal studies have found that CBD increases serotonin levels in mice brains by up to 40%. A similar increase was found when animals were given antidepressants like fluoxetine. Finally, research suggests that the effects of chronic stress on the body can be countered by using CBD.
CBD for PTSD and Phobia Therapy
CBD has been used in a clinical setting to treat PTSD and anxiety. This type of CBD is generally administered as drops or edible pills that can be taken daily. An alternative method of taking CBD for anxiety is to use it on an as-needed basis when you are in situations that cause panic attacks or severe anxiety. Known as On the Go therapy, this type of administration allows patients to self-administer their doses when they need them most. There are several ways in which this may be done, but the most common way is by using an oil capsule with a dropper built into the lid. The patient simply places one or two drops under his tongue and waits for the effects to take place.
How to Use CBD for Anxiety
THC (which is what gives you that classic stoned feeling) and CBD are both cannabinoids found in cannabis, but they offer very different experiences. THC has psychoactive properties – which means it can alter how your brain works, resulting in paranoia or anxiety. CBD does not contain any psychoactive properties, meaning that it doesn’t make you feel stoned or affect your mental state in any way. This makes it a great alternative for those who want to use cannabis to treat their anxiety.
Here’s everything you need to know about using CBD for anxiety. First, understand that there are two ways to take CBD for anxiety relief: by vaping or consuming edibles. Some people find that vaping is more effective than edibles when it comes to treating their anxiety symptoms because the act of vaping sends CBD directly into the bloodstream instead of having to work its way through the digestive tract like when consuming edibles.
CBD Dosage for Anxiety
The recommended CBD dosage for anxiety is around 20mg per day. However, the best way to find out your personal dosage is to experiment with different dosages and see what works best for you. If you’re new to CBD, start with a small dose and increase it slowly over time. The effects of CBD can take up to an hour or two before they are felt, so be patient! You will notice that as you increase your dosage, the effect might not be as pronounced. Make sure to space out your doses throughout the day rather than taking them all at once. Ideally, you should take a break from CBD every four hours or so. We recommend vaping if you’re on the go because it’s fast-acting and easy to dose. Some people like tinctures because they’re easy to carry with them when traveling and don’t have any side effects when taken orally (unlike THC).
CBD Potential Risks and Side Effects
CBD is not a drug and does not produce a high or stoned feeling. In fact, it does not have any psychoactive effects at all. CBD may cause some side effects, such as dry mouth, low blood pressure, and lightheadedness, but these are uncommon. You can also experience changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and mood; however, these too tend to be mild. If you are taking other medications with CBD then your doctor should monitor how they interact with each other. Overall, if you take the proper dosage of CBD oil then you should not experience any adverse reactions.
However, there are risks associated with using CBD oil for anxiety. It is important to speak with your physician about what type of treatment would work best for you before starting a new medication. If you decide that CBD oil is right for you then make sure that you purchase quality products from reputable sources so that they will work effectively and so that there will be no unwanted side effects.
