Essential Things You Should Know about CBD Oil for Anxiety
The Anxiety and Depression Association reports that about 40million adults in the U.S. have anxiety disorders. The number is approximately 20% of the total population. Besides, the WHO says that one in thirteen people around the globe lives an anxiety disorder. Pharmaceutical drugs for anxiety can help, but they come with side effects like every other medication. That is why patients are always looking for natural alternatives such as CBD for treating health conditions. If you are thinking about using CBD oil for anxiety, below is a detailed guide to enlighten you before making any purchases.
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1. What Is CBD? 2. CBD Oil as an Anxiety Treatment 3. How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety 4. What Are the Other Forms of Consumption to Help Manage Anxiety? 5. Is It Risky to Take CBD Oil for Anxiety? 6. Is CBD Legal? 7. Sources
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What Is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, which belongs to a category of substances called cannabinoids. Industrial hemp is rich in CBD and contains 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Unlike THC that makes users feel high, CBD does not. The minimal amount of THC in hemp will not leave you stoned, but it could show up in a drug test. Manufacturers offer multiple types of products made from hemp to help users manage various diseases.
Despite research and consumer reports revealing the positive outcomes of using CBD, more studies are needed to provide a solid scientific backing for the derivative. CBD companies indicate that the cannabinoid is not designed to treat or cure any given disease, but it might help ease symptoms. That is why before using CBD products, you should talk to a doctor first, especially if you have an existing health condition.
Note that there are three types of CBD full-spectrum, isolate, and broad-spectrum. The first kind contains all the cannabinoids present in hemp, including CBD, THC, CBC, CBG, CBN, and 0.3% THC not forgetting other components, such as flavonoids, terpenes, and fatty acids. These elements work together to provide an entourage effect, where they enhance the effectiveness of CBD. However, if all you want to consume is CBD, go for the isolate type of cannabidiol. In case you want to ingest the cannabinoids in hemp except for THC, go for products that contain CBD isolate.
After extracting CBD from hemp, companies add MCT, olive oil, or hemp seed oil to it to come up with CBD oil. Nevertheless, many best CBD oil for anxiety use MCT as a carrier oil, and it has high bioavailability.
CBD Oil as an Anxiety Treatment
CBD oil is one of the forms in which you can use cannabidiol. Note that everyone’s body is unique. We react differently to products. CBD oil for anxiety does not work for every patient, but it is helpful for many others. For some people, it could worsen the disorder. Make sure you consult a physician with CBD expertise before using the product. However, human studies have shown the promising benefits of CBD in easing anxiety symptoms, but more research is necessary.
CBD oil works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system in your body. The system consists of receptors that aid in regulating different functions such as mood, sleep, appetite, immune responses, pain, perception and memory. With CBD reducing stress and elevating your mood, it could also aid with anxiety. It has relaxing, calming effects that can decrease restlessness and ease a fast heart rate, among other symptoms of anxiety.
How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety
CBD oil is available in a dropper bottle. You administer a few drops under your tongue and wait for 30sconds or more before swallowing. The sublingual use ensures that the oil flows into your bloodstream through the blood vessels in your mouth to provide quick relief. You should feel the effects in 10 minutes, and they can last for four hours.
Do not worry about the earthy taste of CBD oil. Some brands are available in different flavors to mask the natural taste. Besides administering CBD oil under your tongue, you can also add it to your food or beverages.
While some studies involve subjects taking CBD amounts as high as 600mg, others involve lower doses of 25mg per serving. In both, several participants experience relief after using CBD oil for anxiety. However, it is advisable to start with small doses and adjust gradually until you find an amount that works for you. Be patient and allow your body to adjust to the dose changes instead of ‘surprising’ it with high dosages. Besides, low doses are more cost-effective.
CBD oil is safe, and most people tolerate it well, but you should be extra cautious with the dosage you take. There is no universal dose for CBD, so it is more of a trial and error situation. Besides, CBD oil products come with varying CBD potency. Keep that in mind. The dosage depends on factors such as your body weight, metabolism, body chemistry, anxiety severity, and CBD concentration. That is why you should talk to a CBD professional before use to establish a proper dose for you.
What Are the Other Forms of Consumption to Help Manage Anxiety?
Besides CBD oil for anxiety, you can also use other forms of cannabidiol to manage the disorder. They include CBD vape cartridges and edibles. Manufacturers provide CBD oil designed specifically for vaping to ensure smooth use. However, there are reports of vaping causing lung problems. Therefore, it would be prudent to stick with sublingual use of CBD oil if you want a quick method of using CBD oil.
If the idea of swallowing oil is off-putting for you, there is an alternative. Opt for CBD edibles such as gummies. They are delicious and available in multiple flavors. However, edibles can take an hour for the effects to kick in, but they last longer than sublingual use of CBD. One problem with gummies is they go through your digestive system. Some of the CBD is broken down along the way, which lowers its bioavailability.
The other way to use cannabidiol for anxiety is through capsules. Manufacturers enclose CBD oil in the capsules to provide slow-release of CBD into your body. Like gummies, capsules contain pre-portioned amounts of CBD to make dosing CBD for anxiety a lot easier. You do not have to keep counting the drops you ingest.
Is It Risky to Take CBD Oil for Anxiety?
If you use CBD oil for anxiety correctly by starting with low doses and consulting a doctor, there should no risks to worry you. Many users tolerate cannabidiol oil. However, like any other medication, CBD oil might cause side effects. They include fatigue, diarrhea, dry mouth, change in mood and appetite, drowsiness nausea, and dizziness. At worse levels, the oil could cause liver damage.
CBD oil may also interact with some medications, including antihistamines, benzodiazepines, and anti-epileptic drugs. That is why there is an emphasis on talking with your doctor before using the product. You do not want CBD to interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize your drugs.
Note that the FDA does not regulate CBD products such as cannabidiol oil. For that reason, you have to be careful when making purchases. Some unprofessional people label CBD packs wrongly. Make sure you buy CBD from reliable brands that have your safety as a top priority. Buy CBD oil that contains high-quality ingredients, including organically grown hemp.
Is CBD Legal?
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and its derivatives (including CBD) at the federal level. However, some states do not consider the herb legal, while others have a grey area about it. The safest thing to do is to check the local regulations of your state regarding hemp and its byproducts before buying and using CBD oil.
Besides hemp, marijuana is also a type of cannabis. It is illegal at the federal level but legal in some states for medical and recreation use. With a marijuana card, you can buy marijuana from a licensed store near you. It contains CBD too, as is the case with hemp, but its THC levels can be as high as 40%. You can be sure of being stoned after using it.
When you buy cannabidiol oil from the CBD store, be sure that it uses hemp. If you purchase full-spectrum CBD made from marijuana, the high levels of THC will make you high.
The other benefits of CBD include easing chronic pain, inflammation, seizures, nausea, stress, and arthritis.
Final Thoughts
Despite needing more research, CBD oil shows promising results in anxiety patients. It is a healthy alternative for the condition, but you have to be cautions. Speak to a doctor before using it, start with low doses, and watch out for any changes in your body. Remember, cannabidiol may not work for everyone, and it has side effects as well. However, unless you use it, you cannot tell whether it works for you or not. Nevertheless, as long as the CBD oil you buy contains safe ingredients, you have nothing to worry about. Follow the guidelines we have discussed and what your physician advises.
Sources
- Studies on CBD for anxiety: retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319622
- CBD oil and anxiety: retrieved from https://www.foriawellness.com/blogs/learn/how-cb-oil-vape-helps-stress-anxiety/
- How CBD works: retrieved from https://www.drugscience.org/cbd-oil-for-anxiety/
- Treating anxiety using CBD oil: retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/cbd-oil-anxiety-4176279
- CBD dose and other ways to use CBD for anxiety: retrieved from https://www.leafly.com/news/health/how-to-use-cb-for-anxiety
- Does CBD work for anxiety: retrieved from https://www.anxiety.org/is-cannabis-an-effective-treatment-for-anxiety-what-research-shows
- CBD oil for anxiety treatment: retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/cbd-oil-to-treat-anxiety-4586823