In the United States alone, various anxiety disorders affect around 40 million adults, which makes for around 12% of the country’s population. Even though feelings of worry and unease are our body’s natural reaction to stressful situations, they can quickly get out of hand and become virtually impossible to manage without any help.
Feeling anxious from time to time is perfectly normal, but if the chronic stress becomes your constant companion and starts to overwhelm you, it may be time to start looking for support. Today, the most common treatment options used to reduce anxiety symptoms include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
Still, many people seek support from natural substances, with CBD oil being one of the increasingly popular ones.
However, it’s not enough to simply purchase the first CBD product you see and start using it blindly. You can take CBD in the form of edibles, capsules, tinctures, and topicals, but each of these methods comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Here’s what you should know about CBD and using CBD products to relieve anxiety.
How does CBD work?
Despite the undeniable popularity of CBD and its potential in treating anxiety as well as various different conditions, researchers are still not done with learning more about this non-intoxicating substance.
So far, we know that CBD (cannabidiol) can interact with our endocannabinoid system. It affects cannabinoid receptors which are located throughout the body.
There are two main cannabinoid receptors: C1 (mainly present in the central nervous system) and C2 (present in parts of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord as well as immune cells).
Endocannabinoids can attach to either of the receptors and cause a different reaction depending on where the particular receptor is located in your body. For instance, if they bind to C1 receptors in the central nervous system, they may provide anxiety relief. If they attach to C2 receptors, they can help fight inflammation which can also be one of the underlying causes of anxiety.
Currently, there’s a lot of anecdotal evidence that speaks in favor of products such as CBD oils, CBD salves, or CBD gummies, but more research is still needed.
Does CBD calm anxiety immediately?
Anxiety, along with generalized anxiety disorder, is a complex condition that doesn’t look the same for every person. It can be caused by many different factors, ranging from illnesses to genetics, biological or environmental factors, live events that trigger it, and traumatic events, among others.
Just like other substances that help relieve anxiety symptoms, CBD oil is not a magical solution that will solve all your problems as soon as you take it. Depending on the method of administration you choose and the product’s potency, you may need anywhere from 15 minutes up to 2 hours to feel the CBD’s calming effects.
If you use CBD oil in the form of a tincture, which is intended to be administered sublingually, you should feel anxiety relief within 15 minutes.
Edibles, such as CBD gummies, chocolates, or candies take around 30 to 60 minutes to kick in.
CBD softgels should provide anxiety and stress relief after 30 minutes.
Topicals like CBD salves take effects almost immediately and help alleviate pain which can also be a cause of anxiety. Some people also find CBD sports creams enriched with ingredients such as cooling menthol or a blend of lavender and eucalyptus to have anxiety-relieving properties.
What does it feel like to take CBD for anxiety?
People who take products containing CBD oil often search for relief from conditions such as anxiety, generalized social anxiety disorder, panic attacks, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, CBD doesn’t kick in immediately. Usually, you have to wait for a while to start experiencing its stress-relieving properties.
Once it’s absorbed by your body and enters your bloodstream, CBD oil can help you feel calmer and more relaxed, or increase your focus. It’s important to note that the way full-spectrum CBD oil works is not entirely the same as those of broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate, so the exact effects will always depend on the product of your choice.
Some products may also contain extra ingredients intended to improve your sleep quality and quantity. For instance, if you start taking CBD softgels with melatonin, aside from reduced anxiety, you should also have an easier time falling and staying asleep.
Of course, the effects of each product may vary from person to person, as CBD is definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. You may need to try out a bunch of different CBD oils or products containing CBD oil until you notice a difference in your health and overall well-being.
Luckily, when taking CBD oil you won’t have to worry about any psychoactive effects. That’s because CBD oil is non-intoxicating and only contains trace amounts (around 0.3%) of THC, which is the main psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant.
How do I take CBD for anxiety?
If you want to start taking CBD oil for anxiety, you have a few options to choose from.
Tinctures are probably the most common choice among people dealing with anxiety disorders. They’re easily available and easy to administer. All you need to do is place a few drops of the CBD tincture under your tongue using a dropper applicator, hold it there for a while, and then swallow. Within 15 minutes, you should feel relief from your symptoms.
However, if you don’t like products that taste bitter, it may be a better idea to take a look at other options.
There are various edibles that contain CBD oil, with gummies being one of the most popular ones. They are easy to take, delicious, and discreet. Whether you take broad-spectrum CBD gummies to improve sleep, relieve pain, or tame your anxiety, no one even has to know that your tasty-looking treats contain CBD.
You can also try CBD softgels which are even more discreet than gummies. You can simply swallow them or have a glass of water, tea, or your favorite juice to chase them down your throat. They’re small and convenient, and you can easily take them on the go, even on the busiest days.
CBD topicals such as sports creams and salves enriched with natural ingredients are another great way to deal with your symptoms associated with anxiety-related disorders. You can apply them directly on your skin and target the painful area.
Once the pain is gone or at least reduced, you should be able to relax, calm down, and unwind. Pain may interfere with your rest and sleep, therefore causing stress, but you don’t have to allow it to lower the quality of your day-to-day life.
Taking CBD oil for anxiety has indeed never been easier. When you buy CBD oil for anxiety, remember that you have a lot of different options to choose from.
CBD Dosage for Anxiety
Determining how much CBD oil to take for anxiety is often a challenging and time-consuming affair, especially if you don’t have much experience with this compound. In general, it’s wise to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Once you get more confident and find the best CBD oils that work perfectly for your needs, you can either try experimenting with different dosages or stick to the one that has been working well so far.
It’s also vital to bear in mind that when it comes to CBD oils, your perfect dosage depends on various factors, such as:
- your body weight,
- your body chemistry,
- preferred consumption method,
- product’s potency,
- your desired effects.
Remember that it may take even up to a few weeks before you notice the first effects of your CBD doses. Therefore, you shouldn’t get discouraged after just one day of using CBD products. Give each of them a fair chance to work and only increase the dosage if you don’t feel any effects or need the CBD’s therapeutic effects to be more noticeable.
How often should I take CBD for anxiety?
Everyone will have a different amount of CBD that works for them. If you’re a beginner, you can start taking 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight and do it twice daily.
For example, you can try to find relief from anxiety and other anxiety disorders by taking a dose of CBD in the morning and then repeating the process in the evening. However, if you tend to get anxious during the day and need extra support, you can take your second dose in the afternoon or simply as needed.
Consistency is key when dealing with conditions such as anxiety, so remember to take your CBD products daily and don’t skip the doses. This will allow you to determine what works best for you and you will be able to adjust the dosage and frequency of taking CBD as needed. I
Still, if you forget to take one of your doses, don’t try to make up for it by taking a double dose next time. This may lead to adverse effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, or fatigue.
What is the best CBD oil for anxiety disorders?
CBD products come in three forms: full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, and CBD isolate. The difference between them may seem quite subtle, but it needs to be taken in account when dealing with anxiety.
Full-spectrum CBD oil has all the components of the cannabis plant and can contain up to 0.3% THC. Some people prefer full-spectrum CBD products due to the entourage effect they can produce. There’s a theory saying that if you take CBD and THC, they will work with other cannabis compounds and will be more effective.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains mostly CBD and small amounts of other cannabis compounds, but usually no THC. However, depending on the brand, some broad-spectrum CBD products can still contain trace amounts of THC. Therefore, they can still provide you with the entourage effect.
CBD isolate is pure CBD and it contains no THC at all. It’s the best choice if you want to avoid THC altogether and make sure you’re taking CBD only. It can be a good choice if products containing even small amounts of THC make you feel uneasy, which shouldn’t be the case, but still can happen to some people.
All three forms of CBD may help you relieve your anxiety symptoms. To see what works best for you, try out different products but remember to speak to a medical professional first, especially if you take other medications.
Hemp oil vs CBD oil for anxiety
Some people may be interested in relieving their anxiety symptoms with the help of hemp seed oil. However, it’s crucial to state that hemp oil and CBD oil are not the same.
Hemp oil can work well if you need to add some extra nutrition to your diet. It contains little to no CBD at all but can provide you with a dose of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, and other nutritional antioxidants. Hemp seed oil is also high in vitamin D and B vitamins.
Include it in your diet to get more nutrition, but don’t use it as a CBD oil substitute.
Is CBD legal?
As mentioned before, CBD comes from the cannabis plant. This is often a reason for controversy, as many people remain concerned about its legality. However, once you learn more about the difference between hemp and marijuana, understanding how CBD oil is regulated by law won’t be an issue.
A few years ago, the passing of the 2018 United States Farm Bill changed the status of hemp-derived CBD products to legal. This means that you can use CBD oil for anxiety disorders as well as generalized anxiety and other conditions if you live in a state that doesn’t impose its own regulations regarding the legal status of CBD oil.
Therefore, before you purchase CBD in your area, whether it’s in form of high-quality CBD oil or a product advertised as containing the best CBD oil out there, it’s still in good sense to check the local laws.
Keep in mind that even if hemp-derived CBD products are legal where you live, the situation may not be the same regarding marijuana-derived CBD oil. That’s because their THC content is often too high.
In most cases, CBD that’s been derived from marijuana is legal only in states where recreational marijuana is legal, too.