Can CBD help Anxiety ?

CBD for anxiety is becoming ever popular and deserves further investigation. Anxious feelings can creep up on us all from time to time. But for some people, those feelings of anxiety are an almost permanent state of being. Some feelings of anxiety are completely healthy and normal. Like feeling nervous about a job interview. But some, like being too afraid to leave the house, can be extremely debilitating.

Mind UK states that 8 in 100 people in the UK experience mixed anxiety and depression, with 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health condition of some kind. CBD has helped and continues to help people take control of their anxiety and tackle their symptoms naturally.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. It is our in-built fight or flight syndrome. Anxiety is a sense of nervousness uncertainty, or fear that can be caused by any number of things, depending on the person. For most people, anxiety isn’t something that restricts their lives in any way, but merely causes a little discomfort from time to time. For others, anxiety can be an all-consuming feeling that creeps up in everyday situations, making life feel extremely debilitating.

Using CBD to Treat Anxiety

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural ingredient found in hemp and industrial cannabis that has become popular for its numerous health and medical benefits. Many people find that Cannabidiol is an effective alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for treating anxiety.

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a chemical compound found in the cannabis flower. It is thought CBD  promotes numerous health benefits because of the way it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. CBD is thought to interact with the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are found in the central nervous system and play a significant part in determining how the body feels on a daily basis.

Research on CBD and Anxiety

The University of California, Los Angeles explains that the endocannabinoid system strives to achieve a level of stability in the body. This impacts things such as mood, immune function, stress, sleep, appetite, metabolism, and more. When CBD is taken, it binds to receptors located throughout the body, signalling the nervous system to create a more stable level of health and wellness. For this very reason, many studies have found that CBD has an incredibly positive effect on people suffering from anxiety due to its anti-anxiety properties. Let’s take a look at some of the research on CBD and anxiety.

CBD Reduces Anxiety

In a recent study, The Health Canal suggested that cannabidiol may be beneficial for the treatment of anxiety, as scientists have found cannabidiol to benefit numerous neurological health disorders. The National Institute on Drug Abuse tested CBD on rats and other animals to understand the full effects of CBD on anxiety. Incredibly, the subjects appeared to show fewer signs of stress and anxiety when CBD was administered.

CBD for Anxiety-Induced Stress

One study published in The Journal of Psychopharmacology carried out an experiment on 40 people in a public speaking simulation. Many people get anxious when asked to speak publicly. However, during the study, each person was given either CBD or a type of Valium to see what effect, if any, these substances would have on their varying levels of anxiety.

During the experiment, the researchers evaluated the resulting anxiety levels using the Visual Analogue Mood Scale and State-trait Anxiety Inventory. According to their results, CBD decreased the levels of anxiety that were present after the speaking simulation. The researchers concluded, therefore, that this chemical compound offered anti-anxiety effects in stressful situations.

CBD Used for Treating Severe Anxiety Cases  

CBD is also thought to potentially provide relief from other mental conditions that are typically characterised by high levels of anxiety, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research published in Current Opinion in Psychology explains that when individuals struggling with PTSD took CBD, they experienced modulated fear and reduced insomnia. The CBD also provided the additional benefit of serving as an anti-depressive and anti-anxiety treatment remedy. The effects were extremely positive.

The Effects of CBD on the Brain

Despite all these studies, researchers were still unsure exactly how CBD provided relief of anxiety. So, The Journal of Psychopharmacology carried out another study looking at 10 patients with social anxiety disorder. During the first session, subjects were given either 400mg of CBD or a placebo and during the second session, the same participants were given the opposite of what they received in the first. After analysing the results, researchers discovered that CBD appeared to reduce anxiety in the subjects because of its effect on the limbic and paralimbic areas of the brain.

Of course, it is important to note that CBD research is still very much in its infancy, with many studies only being carried out in recent years. However, there are many more clinical trials being scheduled to help us learn more about CBD and fully understand its effects on the body.

Types of Anxiety CBD Benefits

According to the authors of 2015 review, preclinical and clinical evidence found that CBD was an effective treatment for the following types of anxiety:

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

Panic disorder (PD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

There is an ever-growing body of research that suggests the positive effects of CBD for relieving symptoms of anxiety. More people than ever before are discovering the true benefits of CBD oil, experiencing reduced symptoms and enjoying an improved quality of life as a result.

Will CBD Get Me High?

One of the biggest concerns people have around taking CBD for health-related problems is whether it will leave them feeling stoned or high. However, CBD does not create the intoxicating types of effects people typically associate with marijuana use. Instead, it is the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that does this. CBD products that are responsibly sourced and correctly made have extremely low levels of THC. So getting high is extremely unlikely.

It is important to know that, when drugs have not been officially regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is difficult to ensure whether they are safe for use or not.

The Pros of CBD Oil for Anxiety

The following points cover the advantages of taking CBD oil for the treatment of anxiety and the benefits you can derive when using the product with a proper dosage.

CBD Oil Doesn’t Produce a High

One of the most important things to note about CBD oil is that is does not produce a high. What’s more, CBD will not cause mental impairment, heightened anxiety, or nervousness like regular marijuana. This is because CBD is separate from THC. The main psychoactive compound in cannabis and the one that produces the sensation of being high.

CBD Oil is Easy to Use

Whether you lead a busy life or you have more time to put your feet up, CBD conveniently fits in with your lifestyle. Available in a variety of forms, CBD can be taken as an oil, capsule, e-liquid, and much more!

CBD Has Been Tried and Tested

As we outlined above, there have been several high-profile research studies carried out to better understand the positive effects of CBD on anxiety. Many of these studies have tried and tested CBD in a variety of situations. They found that taking it helped reduce symptoms of generalised anxiety, panic disorder, and restlessness, among others.

The Cons of CBD for Anxiety

Unfortunately, the beneficial effects of CBD don’t work for everyone (just like any other supplement or medication). As a result, some people may experience the following (but few) disadvantages when taking CBD.

CBD May Cause Drowsiness

Studies have shown that CBD has a positive effect on those suffering with insomnia. However if you are trying to fight the feeling of tiredness, it is possible CBD might be counterproductive. When taken in high doses, CBD can cause drowsiness. If you want to avoid this, we recommend starting with a small dose and working your way up until you have achieved the desired effect. This way, your body has time to adjust to CBD and it’s possible you won’t experience any side effects at all.

CBD Works Differently for Everyone

As with all medications, supplements, and treatments, CBD works differently for everyone. Unfortunately, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. You have to do the work and find out what works best for your body. Like anything else, through trial and error, you might find that a particular type and dose of CBD offers you the results you desire.

How to Take CBD Oil for Anxiety

If you struggle with anxiety, whether it is minimal or severe, it is important to contact your doctor and discuss the best treatment options available for you. It is important to note that CBD is just one of many treatments available to help anxiety. It may or may not help in your specific case.

That being said, if you would like to try taking CBD to help manage your anxiety, there are a variety of different options you can choose from. For anxiety specifically, we would suggest considering the following CBD products:

CBD Oil Capsules

CBD oil capsules deliver the health benefits of CBD directly into your body through your stomach and digestive system. Tablets of CBD oil are very easy to take and are especially convenient for people with an on-the-go lifestyle.

CBD Oil Tinctures

CBD oil tinctures are designed specifically to be placed under your tongue as drops. They work by delivering the CBD into your body through the tissue in your mouth, allowing for faster absorption. If you want fast relief, CBD oil tinctures could be the perfect choice for you.

If you would like to purchase CBD oil tinctures, you can browse the ULU range here.

CBD E-Liquid

Did you know that you can buy CBD e-liquids? If you vape, taking CBD in this way could be the most convenient option. CBD e-liquid works in just the same way as standard vape e-liquid but contain CBD as the active ingredient instead of nicotine.

If you would like to purchase CBD e-liquid, you can browse the ULU range here.

Other Forms of CBD

Here at ULU, we sell CBD products in a variety of forms. Making it easy to incorporate the benefits of CBD into your life. Browse our shop to find the best CBD product for your needs. As with any medication, be sure to follow the instructions provided with the CBD product you purchase and, if it’s your first time, always start with the lowest recommended dose and build up from there.

Can CBD be Taken with Antidepressants?

Many people who struggle with anxiety typically suffer from bouts of depression. As far as we know, it is safe to take CBD alongside antidepressants. However, it is important to first consult your doctor before taking CBD alongside other medications, just to be sure.

Take Control of Your Anxiety Today with CBD  

CBD helps you take control your anxiety, not the other way around. Just as anxiety affects individuals differently, so does CBD. So, it is important to start slowly with a small dose. Before gradually working your way up to the dose that suits you.

While CBD can’t stop all your problems, it can help you take control of your reactions to the problems you do have. If you want to conquer your internal battle with anxiety and take back some control in your life. Try CBD today and experience the benefits for yourself.