Feeling stressed out and anxious is common and not cause for alarm. Stress and anxious thoughts can occur for a range of reasons, such as financial worries, relationship issues, being busy at work, and the list goes on.
However, for individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, day-to-day life can become a struggle. So in this article, we are going to be taking a look at CBD and how it may be able to help people to manage their anxiety symptoms in a natural way
What is CBD?
Firstly, we need to answer ‘what is CBD.’ You are likely to have heard of the term, even if you aren’t fully familiar with what it is. CBD (the shortened term for cannabidiol) is a compound found in hemp and cannabis Sativa plants. The other compounds that make up the plant include terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which means that it won’t cause the ‘high’ that’s associated with marijuana. To make CBD products, the cannabinoid is extracted from the plant and then diluted with an oil, known as a carrier oil. Popular choices of carrier oils are avocado oil and coconut oil. The CBD market is packed full of products to choose from, such as CBD vape juice for your vape device, tinctures, edibles like CBD gummies, bath bombs, and lots more.
What is Anxiety?
So, what’s anxiety? Anxiety is considered the main symptom of a range of mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and phobias. There’s also a condition known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The symptoms of GAD can affect both physical and mental health. For example, some psychological symptoms include a sense of dread, feeling on edge, irritability and finding it challenging to concentrate on your daily tasks. Physical symptoms can include feeling sick, sweating excessively and having heart palpitations. In terms of treatment, sometimes antidepressants are prescribed, although these can cause negative side effects in some individuals.
CBD for Anxiety: The Research
There’s currently a fairly detailed amount of research into the use of CBD oil for anxiety. For example, one review that was published in 2015 reported how CBD interacts with the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. CBD may positively influence this receptor, and this is the receptor that regulates mood, fear, and anxiety behaviors. The authors suggested that there was a significant body of evidence to suggest that CBD can be considered as an effective treatment for a group of anxiety disorders. This includes GAD, PTSD, SAD, panic disorder (PD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Furthermore, research from 2019 examined the effects of CBD on a group of 72 adults. These people were either suffering from the symptoms of anxiety or experiencing sleep issues. The majority of the group received one 25mg CBD capsule per day, while a few others received 75mg or 50mg per day. Following one month of treatment, it was reported that sleep and anxiety symptoms were improved for the majority of study participants.
Finally, one review published in 2020 examined eight studies into CBD for anxiety. They found evidence that CBD could be a potential stand-alone treatment or be used as part of complementary therapy for anxiety disorders. The studies that were examined offer a picture of a variety of CBD doses, ranging from 6mg to 400mg per dose. This means that further research is vital in order to establish a dose that can help individuals to manage their anxiety symptoms.
Once you have made your decision on what CBD product to purchase, you will need to consider the concentration. This refers to how much CBD is included in the product. If you are new to CBD, then it’s best to begin with a lower concentration, as this will allow you to observe how your body reacts to it. Begin with a low dose of CBD and then alter it as you see fit. There are also some factors that can influence how quickly the CBD is absorbed, such as your weight, height, the amount you used, your body fat percentage and metabolism. Also, some products are considered to be absorbed faster than others. For example, vaping CBD allows you to feel the effects within minutes, while edible CBD can take up to one hour as it needs to make its way through your liver and digestive system first.
Other Ways to Calm Anxiety
How else can you help to calm anxiety symptoms? Here are some helpful suggestions:
- Exercise: physical activity is a great way of boosting your mood, as well as keeping your body healthy. There are lots of different types of physical activity that you can partake in, such as running, hiking, ice skating, or walking, to name a few. Exercise is also a wonderful way of making sure that your body absorbs enough vitamin D.
- Talking: Talking about your problems with your loved ones can be a therapeutic and helpful exercise. You never know, they may be experiencing the same feelings and thoughts as you.
- Sleep: sleep is so important to maintaining your overall health. Be sure that your bedroom is kept dark, that you minimise any distractions, and have a comfy bed and mattress as your bedroom should be an oasis of calm.
- Self-care: taking some time for yourself on a daily basis is crucial, and there are many acts of self-care that you can try out. For instance, you could have a warm bath, read a book, put away your phone to avoid technological distractions, and so on.
Final Thoughts
It is true that CBD oil shows great potential in the treatment of anxiety, but we are not quite there yet, as further research is needed into a standard dosage. However, it could be a great supplement to add to your lifestyle and help to minimize anxiety symptoms alongside other healthy lifestyle decisions. You have many options of CBD consumption to choose from, and this allows you to ensure that your CBD experience fits your tastes and lifestyle.
