CBD Oil for Anxiety

by VitaLeaf Staff January 04, 2019

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is described as a sense of impending doom, constant worry, a state of being aggravated, and feeling as if one is always on a hair trigger. People who suffer from chronic anxiety may begin to feel the effects of other health issues as well. Constant headaches, body aches, chest pains, and irritability that lead to stomach issues are all symptoms of chronic anxiety.

What Causes Anxiety?

Many people suffer from anxiety symptoms and anxiety at some point in life. Anxiety can be a chronic condition or situational. For example, someone who has recently suffered some sort of life trauma, like a burglary or mugging, can have issues with anxiety attacks.

With therapy and medication, some of the issues are alleviated. Sometimes people can get over this type of anxiety in time. Other people will suffer from bouts of anxiety indefinitely.

It is a normal feeling to have some stress-related anxiety sometimes. Life isn’t supposed to always be relaxed and easy. Chronic anxiety, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders, however, is not a normal condition, and it can begin to cause health issues for people over prolonged periods of living on the edge.

Depression is the number one cause of suicide. Suicide is a growing problem that tragically takes the lives of so many who simply become depressed and aren’t in complete control of how they feel. Suicidal people are overwhelmed with emotions that are out of control.

Effects of Anxiety

There are many more things that people suffer from that are as individualized as the people suffering from them. The constant anxiety can lead to so many other problems that it can begin to feel like an avalanche of symptoms for the people who are suffering. Depression is often just a result of the multitude of anxiety-related issues that have become chronic and unchecked. 

The person with anxiety isn’t the only one who suffer either. Family members also suffer because the person with anxiety no longer wishes to take part in social activities. They become more and more withdrawn from social functions and the people who love them. They avoid things that might mean stress for them. Going out to the dance club will no longer be fun if you suffer from social anxiety.

A feeling of impending doom can cause people to no longer want to even drive on a busy interstate, so they stay within their local neighborhood and do only local shopping and errands. Anxiety can cause the entire world to shrink for the person who is suffering. Their family will begin doing things without them, and the entire family becomes fragmented.

Stress can start to impact the others involved in this situation, creating a real sense of irritability within a household. Children don’t understand why a parent becomes withdrawn and moody, and as you might expect, the pressure can cause their anxiety and depression to deepen.

Resentments lead to anger, which causes a revolving door of anxiety and depression within the household as people lose patience with each other.

Anxiety causes the world to slowly shrink for those who are afflicted with it. A person who used to enjoy travel will find themselves staying within a comfort zone. Over time, that comfort zone can shrink to the point that it only includes the bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom.

People who become known as ‘shut-ins’ are those who have become introverted to the point of never going anywhere. This is nearly always the result of years of anxiety that have never been addressed. There is no more desire to explain how they feel to others. Avoiding outings is simply the best way to deal with how they feel.

Grocery stores offer delivery now. This may be one of the single most enabling cultural norms now. If you want anything, literally anything, that you can think of, there is a way to get it delivered to you without leaving home. This enables people to stay home, further withdrawing from life. At some point, people are only surviving, not living.

Treating Anxiety

It is reported that 18% of Americans have suffered from some form of anxiety this year alone. Many of these people will be prescribed medications by doctors to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.

Millions of people are taking anti-anxiety drugs, such as Xanax, which at one time was the most prescribed medication in the United States. Psychiatrists see patients for less than fifteen minutes before they are prescribing medication, in most cases. Americans are addicted to prescription drugs more than any other country on earth.

The biggest problem with prescribed medications is that many of them are nearly impossible to wean yourself off. Many psychotropics are highly addictive and the side effects experience when coming off of them can be debilitating. Trying to take yourself off these medications can cause your symptoms to become so acute that some are driven to suicidal tendencies as the depression that they feel worsens.

In other words, once you are on the medications, the possibility that you will ever be able to be off them is very unlikely. For many people, this is even more depressing. It’s also not a good prognosis for anyone. No one wants to face a life of taking drugs just to function.

CBD Oil for Anxiety?

CBD oil for anxiety is an excellent alternative because it is not necessary to have a prescription for it. CBD and hemp oil for anxiety are not addictive. You are taking a natural plant derivative for your body to be able to relax.

People discover CBD products for anxiety every single day. There are no debilitating side effects from CBD. Side effects are very uncommon with CBD, and when seen, they are usually very mild and pass quickly.

When you suffer from anxiety, CBD oil can seem like a miracle. You can control the dosage that you take. It is recommended that you start with a low dose so that you can taper up as you need. Since there are only trace amounts of THC in CBD and hemp oil, anxiety is reduced without impairment.

Many people find that they can have fantastic results, without having issues with driving or working.

With anxiety, CBD oil can help relax away the symptoms. Many people report that using hemp products / CBD oils for anxiety allowed them to start enjoying their lives again.

Those who suffer from social anxiety find that they can tolerate crowds and noise much more readily. Some parents have reported that CBD oils helped them become active participants in their children’s lives again.

CBD acts in incredible ways, so let's explore what a CBD product can do for you!

How CBD Oil For Anxiety Works

CBD is a cannabinoid, similar to THC, that's also found in the cannabis plant. However, it does not cause a high like THC. This means that you can enjoy many of the benefits of the cannabis plant, such as pain reduction, insulin lowering, anxiety easing, and more, without getting high.

The lack of THC is why full spectrum CBD oil is legal in most places. There are a few very rare places in the United States where the law is a bit ‘iffy’ regarding CBD and hemp oil products. Check your local laws before you purchase your CBD, whether online or not. This way, you know exactly what your local city and county regulations are.

The Science Behind CBD Products For Anxiety

The exact way, in scientific terms, for how hemp CBD for anxiety disorders works is due to its ability to lend a helping hand to our endocannabinoid system (ECS). This regulatory system promotes homeostasis (balance, support, and calm) across various other regulatory systems, including the nervous system, where anxiety blooms forth.

Anxiety can be good as it helps warns us of real dangers, but as many of us know all too well, it can be bad, very bad. Often when we have anxiety over situations we "know" we should be able to handle, it's because our nervous system isn't working the way it should.

This is where the endocannabinoid system comes in to calm it down, however. From a sickness to simply living in the frantic world we live in, many times, the ECS can't always support the body alone.

But this is why CBD is gaining so much attention to help treat anxiety and other medical conditions, because it gives us the means to finally support this incredible regulatory system.

How Does CBD Work Within the Brain?

We are still learning all the intricate ways CBD directly contributes to lowering anxiety. What is known is that it affects the serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a chemical in the body that plays a massive role in mental health, particularly depression. Not having enough serotonin in your body can trigger depression and even anxiety in some people.

Because hemp helps anxiety along with CBD oil too, we know that it has an impact on the way serotonin receptors work in the brain. In the past, doctors would be quick to prescribe SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which can be very costly without insurance and tend to be very difficult to function without. They also do not work well for everyone and the side effects can be very bad.

One drug was found to cause diabetes in many people, and the company that produced it was initially sued for causing thousands of adults to develop type two diabetes. This is just one example of the adverse side effects that are possible from prescription medications. All those people are now living with diabetes on top of still suffering from anxiety or depression.

Doctors will continuously have to draw blood and check to make sure that your liver and kidneys are not suffering from some of the use of prescription medications for depression and anxiety. Not only is this a constant worry, but it is also a constant cost that you don’t have to worry about with hemp products.

What Research Says About CBD for Anxiety Disorders

Characterized by a feeling of persistent dread, generalized anxiety disorder, also known as GAD, is one of the most common anxiety disorders seen along with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

But in wonderful news, a 2020 comprehensive review of existing studies on CBD and these conditions strongly showed that hemp CBD is a real potential treatment for them.

This review looks at both small and large-scale clinical trials when concluding that CBD can significantly help with seemingly all anxiety disorders. However, we will note that until the last few years, and even to this day, it can be difficult for researchers to get the proper funding it needs for their CBD studies and limiting our ability to fully study CBD's role on anxiety in humans.

While there have only been a limited number of intensive clinical studies done on humans, there have been several research studies have been conducted on animals regarding the use of hemp for anxiety. Decreased anxiety in stressful situations was observed, and even lower heart rates were seen. This is very promising for humans. There is no doubt, at this point, that there are real, tangible benefits to using CBD oil for anxiety.

How Long Does It Take to Work?

The amazing thing about hemp oil for anxiety is that it works almost immediately. If drops are used sublingually, benefits can be felt within a few minutes. If drops are taken orally on an empty stomach, you can see an effect within fifteen to thirty minutes. If taken orally with food, the absorption into the blood system can take up to thirty minutes to an hour to have an impact on your symptoms.

Vaping specialized CBD oil made for vaping pens can be the fastest way to feel the relief of your symptoms, and it may very well be worth investing in the vaping pen and oil if you are prone to random panic and anxiety attacks.

Prescription medications can take a while to work because you must take them until they are in your system, and it might take two to four weeks for some medications to reach their optimal levels in your system.

With CBD oil, you can take it as you need it. That said, most people report that they have a more complete reduction in overall anxiety attacks if they take a steady dose every single day.

How Much CBD Oil for Anxiety?

Since CBD oils are generally taken by dropper, you’ll want to know how much you should take and how often to find CBD doses that work best for you. It is not possible to overdose on CBD oil. If you take too much, however, you might experience side effects such as cramps or headaches.

Some people will experience diarrhea if they attempt a dose that is too much a one time. You should start low and build your dosage as you need. How many mg of CBD should you take for anxiety?

Always make sure to follow the back of the label to see how many mg of CBD per day they recommend and wait to see how you feel in the beginning. If you tolerate that amount well but still have a few symptoms that linger, you can increase your dose after a week.

You may want to divide your daily dose into three separate doses so that you maintain a level of CBD in your system that will help you stay at ease all day long.

Remember, you won’t feel high, so you won’t be impaired in your normal daily activities. In fact, you should find that you are better able to function.

Side Effects

Experiencing side effects when using CBD oil for anxiety is very rare, but even the best CBD oil can cause them. During the first week or so, you may notice symptoms of the body becoming familiar with CBD which can include nausea and GI discomfort. This is a fairly normal experience when starting a new medication.

If you feel tired after taking CBD, you'll want to reduce your dosage as CBD has biphasic effects where while you may feel awakened with a smaller dosage a high dosage puts you to bed.

If taking prescription medication for anxiety or mood disorders, consult your doctor if your medication warns about drug interactions with items such as grapefruit.

Sensitivity to THC in full Spectrum CBD Products

Full spectrum hemp-derived CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, much too little to cause adverse effects or psychoactive properties in the large majority of cases. However, in very rare cases, some find they have a significant sensitivity to THC in nonprescription CBD products.

In these cases, medicinal cannabis and its benefits for stress relief and on can still be taken advantage of with a CBD isolate product.

Free of all other cannabinoids except for cannabidiol, these CBD extracts can be tricky to work with at first due to their requirement for higher doses that will require CBD users to be more precise due to how CBD interacts with other cannabinoids in full spectrum hemp.

To help with that, we turned our CBD isolate into a nano-enhanced CBD oil that greatly eliminates the issues that come with CBD isolates. While we still prefer a CBD oil for anxiety that's full spectrum, our CBD isolate is pure CBD and free of that natural hemp flavor some find they don't like.

Journaling Your Anxiety Symptoms Away

You may want to think about journaling through your process. This will help you recall what dose you have been taking and how you have felt each day. It is important data, tracking your moods and physical feelings so you know if you’ve been ill due to a dosage change.

You’ll be able to track your progress if you keep track of how many times per day you have had heart palpitations since the day you started your CBD oil treatment.

It can be easy to forget how you felt in the beginning, and not notice your progress unless you keep a record. This makes it easy to remind yourself how bad you felt then and how good you feel now.

In fact, you may start feeling so much better that you even forget you ever had issues with going to the grocery store. You will find yourself venturing out more and not giving a second thought to it because you are no longer dwelling on your stress.

Journaling is also a good way to give yourself a bit of therapy by letting all your anxieties out onto the paper. Some sort of therapy, even just journaling, used in conjunction with your hemp oil, will help you get well.

You may find that you don’t need as much CBD oil one day. You might even decide that you no longer need it at all. The beautiful thing is that with CBD products, you can choose to simply stop using them without experiencing withdrawal.

Will Using CBD Oils Make it Impossible to Work or Drive?

Absolutely not! Full spectrum CBD only contains traces of THC so there is no ability to get high. CBD products are regulated very strictly. While there are trace amounts of THC in the finished product, it cannot be more than 0.3%, which is almost nothing.

You will be able to function as you normally do, without mental impairment. Physically, you should feel good but not impaired in movement.

Should I be Concerned There is THC in My Cannabidiol Rich Cannabis Extract?

In the large majority of cases, you do not need to be concerned that there is THC in your CBD products.

If the trace amounts of THC concern you, there is broad spectrum CBD oil for anxiety disorders as well as CBD isolate. However, while the trace amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD oil won't get you high, many find it significantly helps them with their anxiety symptoms. This is why the best CBD oil is full spectrum CBD.

Other Benefits To Using CBD Products

It's just not anxiety that CBD can help with.

Many who are treating arthritis with CBD find a great deal of relief from it, and you will find that age-related aches and pains seem to melt away. To be honest, you should feel better than you have in a long time.

CBD oil is considered a life enhancement because it helps with aches and pains, improves focus in most people, and it improves the general mood in most people. That would be the serotonin effect at work.

There are so many reasons to use CBD oil, besides anxiety disorders, that it makes sense for most people to be using it.

Some CBD companies are even making their big selling point all about how enhanced the consumer’s life will be if they use their CBD oil. We all just want our lives to be easier, better, more fun, and stress-free.

These are likely things that we can all agree upon. Hemp products really do have the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of almost everyone. There are few people who couldn’t use a little more relaxation and less stress.

If you have an office job that is high-paced and somewhat chaotic, you will find that your focus and concentration abilities are greatly improved with the use of CBD oil. If you are a college student with focus issues that stem from ADD/ADHD, you may be able to focus in ways that you have never been able to focus on before. 

Choosing the Best CBD Oil

Because the cannabis plant is so complex, containing hundreds of beneficial compounds -- that's right, besides CBD and THC are other cannabinoids with incredible health properties -- it can be tricky finding the right cannabis product.

When looking for the best CBD oil for treating anxiety and other disorders, you always want to make sure it is derived from full spectrum hemp plants and not marijuana. While both are cannabis plants, marijuana will have high amounts of THC that cause an intoxicating high. Hemp is legal thanks to the U.S. Farm Bill, which also made CBD legal when derived from it.

High-quality pure CBD oil from reputable CBD companies will come with a certificate of analysis (COA), they are extracted from organic hemp, and will use a healthy carrier oil such as hemp seed oil or coconut oil. Remember, the best CBD oils come with a COA.

High-quality CBD oil brands will use a quality carrier oil such as organic hemp seed oil vs. an MCT oil such as olive oil when creating a CBD product.

Full Spectrum CBD Oil vs. Broad Spectrum CBD Oil

Remember to look for full spectrum CBD oil for anxiety vs. broad spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolate. In extremely rare cases, some people are sensitive to the trace amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD, and it can make them feel slightly off.

In these cases, first, try a much lower dosage and work up slowly. However, if all else fails, trying a THC-free CBD isolate or broad spectrum CBD oils can be a worthwhile try.

Most people overwhelmingly find full spectrum CBD works significantly better for their anxiety thanks to that trace amount of THC, along with several other beneficial cannabinoids the cannabis plant has to offer.

Tips for Using CBD Oil for Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders

CBD oils can help provide anxiety relief for up to 6 hrs after administrating, making it perfect for generalized anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders that linger around.

For panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, or another form of anxiety where anxiety relief can't come fast enough, make sure to hold the CBD oil under your tongue for about a minute to speed up the onset time.

With sublingual administration, the effect of CBD's anxiety-reducing effects can be felt as early as 5 minutes, with 10-20 minutes being the average rate.

CBD Oil Helps Reduce Physical Pain Related to Anxiety

People who live their lives completely stressed out all the time often begin to exhibit physical symptoms of pain. Being tense all your waking hours can take a toll on the spine and muscles of the back. This can hurt your hips in time, cause severe back pain with age, and reduce your ability to flex, bend, and lift.

If you utilize full spectrum CBD oil, so that you can relax and reduce pain and stress, you can live longer and live in less pain for many years. The average person has no idea how stress can reduce the years that they will live.

Final Thoughts on CBD oil for Anxiety

Simply put, when you need help with managing your anxiety symptoms, CBD products like CBD oils are a brilliant idea.

Then just taking CBD oil, in general, can help support general health along with aiding in non-anxiety disorders. Stop letting your anxiety symptoms rule your life by giving CBD oil a try for your anxiety.

Sources:

• Daily servings of CBD - https://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/side-effects-cbd-oil/

• Proper dosage - redstormscientific.com/best-cbd-oil-dosage-for-pain-anxiety/