Anxiety is a condition that’s characterized by the feeling of constant uneasiness, fear, or dread. It might make your daily life challenging, thereby hindering productivity and social interaction. It’s normal to get anxious, but when this feeling is constant, then it may not be easy to enjoy a normal lifestyle. While you can use prescription medications to manage anxiety symptoms, many people are now turning to alternative medicine. This includes the use of CBD oil, which has anti-anxiety properties. But do you know how CBD oil can help you with anxiety relief? Read more in this article to know CBD benefits.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in Cannabis sativa hemp plants. It’s known for its stronger relaxing effects. As a result, it’s highly effective in changing mood and reduce emotional disorders such as stress, depression, and anxiety.
Can CBD Oil Help with Anxiety?
Yes, CBD oil can help ease anxiety symptoms. CBD is a therapeutic and calming organic compound with potent anti-anxiety properties. As a result, its highly effective in managing different types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Generalized anxiety: It stops the constant feeling of worry
- PTSD and phobia therapy: You are bound to experience better results if you take full-spectrum CBD. The presence of THC content normally results in a more well-rounded user experience.
- Panic disorder: It promotes calmness and eliminates sudden attacks of fear and panic.
- Social anxiety: CBD can help improve your confidence by reducing persistent and intense fear in social setups.
What Does Research Say about CBD and Anxiety?
According to a 2015 review, it’s been found that CBD usually interacts with cannabinoid type 1 receptors. Additionally, it also interacts with the serotonin receptor and other brain receptors that are critical in regulating fear and other anxiety-induced behaviors.
The authors of this article review found clinical and preclinical evidence that CBD effectively manages different types of anxiety disorders mentioned previously.
Recent studies also indicate that CBD can generally improve the quality of life, leading to a better experience in enhancing daily activities.
What Forms of CBD Are Most Effective?
CBD is a versatile compound; hence it can exist in several forms. Besides that, the effectiveness of CBD for anxiety varies from person to person, depending on the method of intake. You can, therefore, consume CBD for anxiety in the following forms:
Capsules: They offer discreetness and convenience. CBD capsules, tablets, and soft gels are normally taken individually, by mouth, just like other pills.
Gummies: They are quite popular since they come in different potencies and flavors. CBD gummies for anxiety are usually sweet, chewable products for oral intake. They are mostly fruit-flavored.
Oil and tinctures: They are consumed by mouth, mostly sublingually. You need to place a few oil drops under the tongue and wait for a few minutes before spitting the oil.
Spray: These CBD products come in bottles with nozzles. This is because you need to spray the CBD in the mouth.
Vapes: They are usually known to provide faster effects. The inhalable CBD vapor normally gets into the bloodstream via the lungs’ lining.
Generally, CBD vapes, oils, and tinctures provide faster effects, even though these effects tend to wear out quickly. On the other hand, the effects of gummies and capsules usually take longer to kickstart. However, they last for hours in the body. These make them ideal for reducing chronic anxiety.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?
CBD is effective in helping to manage anxiety symptoms. But how much should you take for anxiety relief? Products like the ones that mentioned here are a great option for beginners as they come with specific instruction on how much oil should be taken. However. there are a few key factors to consider when determining the starting dose:
Body Weight
There is a direct correlation between the effectiveness of CBD and body weight. Generally, those who weigh less need a lower amount of CBD. The converse of this is also true since a heavier person will need CBD with a higher potency.
Desired Benefits
The intensity of your anxiety determines how much CBD oil you should take. If you are experiencing mild symptoms, it’s only right to start with a lower dose. On the other hand, you need to start with a higher dose if you have intense and frequent anxiety symptoms.
CBD Concentration
It’s usually important to check the concentration of CBD per 1ml dose. This is normally critical in helping you understand how much CBD you will consume per dose. You will find that many CBD companies mostly measure the amount of CBD per bottle. It’s, therefore, important that you determine the difference between the CBD content in each bottle compared to the amount of CBD per dose.
What Are the Potential Risks and Side Effects of Using CBD Oil?
CBD compound has a good safety profile, and that’s why CBD products are popular. However, evidence from clinical research studies indicates that CBD oil can still result in potential risks and side effects. Even though the side effects generally from person to person, the most common ones include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Changes in mood
- Changes in appetite
If you take prescription medications, ensure that you first speak to your doctor. This is because CBD can interact with certain medications in the liver. As a result, it can enhance or reduce their effectiveness. Furthermore, CBD oil can also increase the level of liver enzymes, consequentially leading to liver inflammation.
Final Thoughts
Anxiety can negatively affect your life significantly. The constant feeling of worry, uneasiness, and increased heartbeat can hinder your productivity. Besides that, it can change your sleep patterns and limit social interactions. However, it’s possible to manage your anxiety symptoms using CBD oil. This is an effective alternative solution that promotes overall wellness. Just make sure that you start your intake with a lower dose, then gradually increase the amount until you find what works for you.
