CBD and Anxiety

The majority of us suffer from anxiety within our lives, with some people suffering with it a little more intensely than others – and sometimes for years at a time. 

While common, severe anxiety can be debilitating, often leaving even the simplest of tasks feeling difficult, dangerous and/or distressing. For that reason, we all want to do what we can to lessen the effects of anxiety on our daily lives, especially if we can do that without being prescribed pharmaceutical medication. 

Thankfully, research and studies have shown that CBD products can be used to alleviate the effects of anxiety, all while possessing plenty of other health benefits, too. 

If you’re looking into the use of CBD products with the aim of lessening your experiences of anxiety, here’s an overview of all the key information. 

What Is CBD?

CBD (an abbreviation of Cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid found within the cannabis sativa plant. 

Cannabis plants contain over 500 chemical compounds, with CBD being just one of them – though it is one of the most well-researched, with ongoing studies returning promising results on the many applications for CBD. Studies available currently have suggested that CBD has positive applications within both mental and physical health. 

Like other cannabinoid compounds, CBD works by attaching to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, though it is also known to interact with the serotonin receptor, as well as other receptors which control our responses to fear or anxiety-inducing stimuli. 

Does CBD Help Anxiety?

Results of studies into the effects of CBD on anxiety have been overwhelmingly positive so far, with further positive effects of CBD revealed as research continues. 

In fact, CBD has been found to assist in relieving several different varieties of anxiety disorders. So far, the effects of CBD have been shown to alleviate:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• Panic disorder (PD)
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

In a 2020 study, a group in New Zealand were all prescribed CBD prescriptions for a variety of physical and mental ailments, with many given CBD products with the specific hope of reducing the symptoms and effects of depression and anxiety. 

Incredibly, everyone in the group reported that CBD had led to an overall improvement in their quality of life in the three weeks since they had started taking/using CBD products. Those who were prescribed the products to work against anxiety and depression specifically reported that their motivation and ability to perform basic daily tasks had improved and that their symptoms and the effects of depression and anxiety had lessened overall.

Studies have also been carried out on CBD’s effectiveness as a treatment for those who suffer from anxiety disorders when used both as a stand-alone treatment and in  conjunction with therapy – both found that CBD did have a positive effect on the side-effects and symptoms of anxiety, whether used alone or alongside therapy. 

So, as you can see, current research points to CBD being particularly effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. 

How Can I Take CBD For Anxiety?

There is a wide variety of different ways to take CBD in order to treat anxiety, the majority of which (and many of the most popular) involve consuming it orally. 

Methods of taking CBD include:

• Oil (held in the mouth for a short time, then swallowed)
• Tablets & capsules
• Vape liquid
• Sprays and vaporized oils (sprayed at the back of the throat)
• Edibles (gummies, hard candies, etc.)
• Powders (often stirred into coffee or tea)

The strength of the effects depend on the dosage – though, there is currently no medically-agreed standard dosage – whilst the time that it takes for the effects to be felt depends on whether the CBD is taken via consumption or another method, such as being smoked or vaped. Vaping and smoking tend to result in more immediate effects, while consuming CBD products tends not to take effect until between thirty minutes and two hours afterwards. 

Many of those using CBD products to alleviate anxiety tend to choose methods that can be consumed, as the slow and steady release of the effects may make them feel as though they last a little longer.

Can You Get High From CBD?

While it’s true that CBD is derived from a Cannabis plant, consuming or smoking CBD will not produce a high, as it is isolated from the compounds in a Cannabis plant which do cause a high. 

The effects of CBD usually give a feeling of noticeable calm or simply reduced stress. High doses of CBD may produce a more actively ‘uplifting’ effect, though the dose needed to provoke this feeling is high enough that it would likely also cause nausea. 

Is It Legal To Use CBD To Treat Anxiety?

In many states, yes. However, this does vary – fourteen states currently have restrictions placed on the use of CBD, while CBD products are fully illegal in Idaho. 

Despite this, there is no evidence that CBD causes widespread negative side-effects, with even the mildest of side-effects occurring rarely and usually among those who have taken a particularly high dose of CBD. For this reason, there are huge campaigns to have CBD legalized entirely in all fifty states. 

Many speculate that CBD’s effects are so positive that the reason it has not been legalized in every state is in order to prevent pharmaceutical companies (such as those providing anxiety medication) from experiencing a loss in profits, though this is simply a theory. 

Is CBD Safe?

Yes. There is no research to suggest that using CBD has any long-term negative side effects, with the majority of studies showing only positive side effects amongst the people tested. 

How Can I Start Using CBD To Treat My Anxiety?

Why not start by taking a look at the products we offer here on Hemp Joi? We offer a wide range of different CBD products, including oils, sprays and gummies, all at affordable prices. 

CBD has been proven time and time again to have positive effects on those suffering from anxiety. Try it for yourself today and see what the effects of CBD could do for you!