How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety and Can It Help

You’ll be hard-pressed to visit an online store or dispensary without seeing mention of CBD somewhere on the website, and for good reason. CBD oil has exploded in popularity as an alternative to synthetic medicines that seem to cause more side effects than fixing health problems.

Mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders are on the rise in the United States, affecting over 30% of adults over the course of their lifetime. CBD is sourced from sustainable cannabis and turned into a product that provides ample health benefits without the unwanted effects of other cannabis products.

What is CBD?

Coming from the word Cannabidiol, CBD is one of the main cannabinoids found within cannabis plants. It can be found alongside its counterpart Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what provides the psychoactive effects when smoking weed.

Unlike THC, CBD does not provide the same psychoactive effect but instead works with our body’s internal system to create homeostasis. Basically, they bind to different receptors in your brain that help regulate certain processes within your body.

CBD-dominant cannabis strains are derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant, mainly the ones that provide hemp. They are extremely low in THC and much higher in CBD.

CBD oil is a product created by isolating the cannabinoid and creating a variety of products in which you can consume it. It comes in two varieties, full-spectrum and CBD isolate, both of which help with a catalog of problems, such as inflammation and anxiety disorders.

How does CBD work?

Our body is full of protein-built chemical structures called receptors that are attached to our cell walls. These receptors react to all kinds of stimulation from chemicals that help direct the body into proper functioning.

Two specific receptors, CB-1 and CB-2 work with the chemicals in CBD to regulate serotonin and different inflammatory markers. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been shown to be a cause of depression and anxiety. Individuals with low serotonin may develop mental health disorders as the body is thrown out of balance.

While research suggests that CBD oil may provide therapeutic effects that increase serotonin levels, the full potential of this cannabinoid has yet to be unlocked. This indicates that CBD may be able to combat anxiety-related disorders.

Treating anxiety disorders with pharmaceuticals is the usual route for most patients, but the debilitating side effects and addictive qualities make CBD oil a more attractive candidate for potential treatment.

If CBD oils seem like a viable therapy for you, make sure to speak with your health practitioner or other wellness professionals.

Is CBD legal?

Most hemp-derived CBD products are legal at a federal level in the United States. This includes products with up to 0.3 percent CBD. These CBD products are considered illegal in some states, despite federal jurisdiction.

Additionally, marijuana-derived CBD oil is illegal federally, yet legal in the majority of US states. This is further compounded by the ever-changing state of federal and state laws regarding cannabis.

Check with your local state laws and the controlled substances act to ensure you are following the legislature regarding the possession and consumption of CBD products. Also pay attention to unregulated CBD products that are not FDA-approved, as they might have inaccurate labeling on the packaging.

Can CBD help with anxiety disorders?

Using CBD for anxiety disorders is common among those with sensitivities to medications. Research suggests that cannabidiol can help people with social anxiety disorder as a study showed that a group of participants took CBD and observed less anxiety levels than those that had a placebo.

Medical research results

Since low serotonin levels are the key factor for most anxiety disorders, a lot of medications you can take are meant to regulate those levels. A review done in 2015 showed that in 49 different studies on CBD and anxiety, the majority showed positive results. This included disorders such as:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another prominent mental health condition that affects veterans and survivors of traumatic experiences.

Large-scale clinical trials have shown great success in regulating PTSD symptoms with CBD. Clinical data suggest that CBD can help provide relief to the most debilitating effects such as:

• Sleep problems and sleep quality
• Anxiety relief
• Panic disorders
• Helping to regulate fear from recurring memories

Some medications are required for certain conditions and in these situations, CBD is used to complement the existing medicine and therapies since it doesn’t negatively impact the body.

Is CBD good for anxiety?

Several peer-reviewed studies on CBD treatment have been concluded with positive clinical data that CBD can improve and moderate symptoms and relieve anxiety. The World Health Organization even acknowledges CBD as a safe substance to complement any existing therapies for anxiety and depression.

Check out the best weed strains for anxiety from The Seed Fair!

How to use CBD oil for anxiety?

Using CBD oil to help with anxiety is pretty easy to take and starting with low doses will give you a good gauge of how effective it is. The potential benefits and effects of cannabidiol are best absorbed directly into the bloodstream through oral consumption. Smoking CBD will still provide the same effect but may interact with other medications and higher doses may be needed to achieve the desired effect.

Dosage forms

There are many ways to consume your CBD doses. The nice thing is that they are pretty much the same ways you would use normal cannabis. Each has its own benefits but will get the cannabinoid into your system quickly. The methods are as follows:

• Smoking and vaporizing – including flower and distillate
• Capsules – containing liquid CBD concentrate
• Teas – fresh CBD bud steeped in hot water
• Oral drops – much like lozenges, they will dissolve in your mouth
• Oils – this includes tinctures, tonics, and concentrates

CBD dosage for anxiety in mg

More research still needs to be done in order to fully understand the required dosing for individuals. Based on preliminary information, the research suggests that up to 600mg per dose is enough to reduce symptoms for someone suffering from anxiety disorders.

However, it is imperative that you consult a healthcare professional to confirm what dosage would be wise for an effective treatment. Do not consume it without first understanding the adverse effects of CBD products and talking to a doctor.

Positive effects of taking CBD oil for anxiety

Several studies clearly paint CBD in a positive light for therapeutic use in the fight to treat anxiety. Some consider it a holistic medicine while others include it as a dietary supplement. Here are some of the ways that CBD oil has helped many people overcome some tough times in their life.

Less anxiety, stress, and panic attacks

There was a study conducted in 2018 with a group of males who were attending a simulated public speaking test. They were given a high CBD dosage about an hour and a half before the event. It was found that their anxiety symptoms were significantly reduced before they were to go out and talk.

Unfortunately, other members of the control group who were given different doses (some higher and some lower) saw no significant impact on their symptoms. This suggests that more research needs to be done, including with females and others with more intense mental health conditions.

More focused at work

Anxiety symptoms are known to distract and even impede actions. This can be detrimental to your work performance. Unfortunately, a lot of synthetic medications have adverse side effects that can make you drowsy or unable to function properly.

CBD has no psychoactive effects and approved nonprescription CBD products can be integrated into a daily routine that supports your body’s internal functions.

Falling asleep faster

Chronic stress and anxiety symptoms are the leading causes of insomnia. Broad-spectrum CBD treatment includes all of the additional cannabinoids and terpenes to provide additional benefits. Some even include small amounts of THC to give you sedative effects for an easier time falling asleep.

Side effects

There are potential risks when taking CBD, primarily if you are already on existing medications. For the most part, it’s harmless, but there are some situations that you should be aware of.

• When treated with a product called Epidiolex (100% pure CBD) it caused mild symptoms of insomnia, vomiting, and fatigue.
• CBD can have negative interactions with opioids, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and medications that thin the blood.
• CBD isn’t recommended for anyone that is pregnant or nursing since the research has been inconclusive thus far.

CBD interacts with our body in such a symbiotic fashion that the side effects of cannabidiol are minimal. If you’re new to taking CBD, it is always recommended that you start with a low dose and see how your body reacts to it.

FAQs about cannabidiol oil for anxiety

When to take CBD gummies for anxiety?

CBD gummies can be taken in the morning before you start your day to help lessen anxiety symptoms. Gummies generally start working within a couple of hours and can last all day. Alternatively, you can take a gummy a couple of hours before bed to help with insomnia and restlessness.

For more information on how long it takes for CBD gummies to start working, check out this article!

Does smoking CBD and edibles help with a generalized anxiety disorder?

Smoking CBD combines both the benefits of the cannabinoid with the relaxing action of smoking a joint. Many people enjoy this kind of activity after a hard day at work since it helps bring them some peace after a busy day.

Edibles are great throughout the day when dealing with an anxiety disorder. Not only are they discrete and non-psychoactive, but you also won’t have to deal with the smell that comes with smoking cannabis.

Will CBD oil get me high?

As long as the product you have is pure CBD, you will not get high. THC seems to interact with the endocannabinoid system to a far greater degree than its counterpart. This also stops a habit from forming since it doesn’t give you a euphoric effect.

If the product contains some THC in it, then you may find that it gives you the sedative effects that traditional cannabis provides.

Make your own CBD Oil

Making your own CBD oil starts with high-quality cannabis seeds, a chosen carrier oil, and a specific extraction method. The Seed Fair has the best high CBD cannabis seeds to get you started making your full-spectrum CBD oil.