CBD oil for anxiety helps in relieving several side effects that come from anxiety. Racing thoughts. Sleepless nights. Panic attacks. Worries that can turn a good day upside down in an instant. The symptoms of anxiety can be scary—and very serious! Even occasional bouts of anxiety can have a huge impact on your physical and mental health, but many anxiety sufferers live with these symptoms every day for years on end.
If you struggle with anxiety, you may already be familiar with the most common forms of treatment, which can include pharmaceuticals along with lifestyle changes such as therapy or regular meditation practice. However, these treatment options aren’t always effective, and medications may come with unwanted side effects that outweigh their benefits. If you’ve reached a dead-end when it comes to managing your anxiety disorder, CBD may be able to help.
Interested in learning how CBD could help you control your anxiety? Read on for an overview of this life-changing natural compound, its potential benefits for your mental health, and tips on how to use CBD oil for anxiety relief.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders can take many forms; they may manifest as extreme and constant worries, as obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or in response to a traumatic experience. In general, anxiety disorders include excessive feelings of fear or worry that negatively impact your daily life and emotional well-being. Anxiety can make it difficult to work, build successful relationships, and take pleasure in things you once enjoyed.
While anxiety is rooted in the mind, its long-term effects can do serious harm to the body, too. Anxiety increases your chance of suffering from obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular issues. Continuous stress from anxiety can also cause elevated hormonal activity, particularly cortisol production, which can lead to inflammation, immune system suppression, and even autoimmune disorders. Due to this combination of physical and mental impact, it’s crucial for sufferers to find an effective way to manage their anxiety.
Over 40 million Americans experience anxiety, but only one-third of those people will receive treatment. For those who do, the most common options are therapy or medication (often antidepressants or sedatives). These are often paired with complementary treatment options including yoga, stress management techniques, and meditation. In recent years, scientists have also begun to study cannabis-derived substances, including CBD, as another possible treatment for anxiety.
How Does CBD Help with Anxiety?
The relationship between CBD and anxiety starts with a complex bodily network: the endocannabinoid system. Made up of tiny receptors, this system helps your body regulate pain, inflammation, memory, and—key for anxiety treatment—mood.
When it’s introduced to the endocannabinoid system, CBD has naturally calming effects. This means it’s great for slowing down the racing thoughts and intense worries often associated with anxiety. It can also help to combat inflammation and other physical side effects of anxiety-related stress. Finally, CBD works to promote better sleep, which is often difficult to achieve when suffering from anxiety. Restful nights can make it easier to cope with the symptoms of anxiety during the day, creating a cycle of positive effects with regular usage.
Researchers have studied the effects of CBD on anxiety disorders with promising results for a wide range of conditions including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD, compulsive disorders, and panic attacks. While scientists have recommended further clinical trials to explore this topic in greater depth, preliminary research speaks to the efficacy of CBD as an alternative treatment for anxiety.
What is the Right CBD Oil Dosage for Anxiety?
If you’re ready to try CBD as a treatment for anxiety, you might think “more is better” is the right approach. However, a higher dosage of CBD doesn’t always make the compound more effective. In fact, some research suggests that CBD may actually cause anxiety symptoms to worsen if the dose is too high.
In general, finding the right CBD dosage is all about locating the ‘Goldilocks Zone:’ a quantity that’s effective but not excessive. Most users find that a dose between 10 to 20mg per day is effective for anxiety, though you may see positive results with a much lower dose! It’s also important to note that the cumulative effects of CBD can take some time to appear; stick to a low dose for a few days before moving to a larger one. (Still, want to know more? Here’s a deeper dive into finding the right dosage of CBD for anxiety.)
When establishing a treatment plan, you’ll also need to choose the type of CBD that suits your lifestyle best. You can ingest CBD orally in the form of pills, gummies, or oils, vape it, or even apply it as a topical cream. For therapeutic purposes, oil is often the most effective option; it can be administered under the tongue and absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Many products include a recommended daily dosage on the packaging; that dosage is a great place to start if you’re new to using CBD for anxiety.
If you’re a parent, you might also consider CBD oil for kids with anxiety as an alternative to prescription medication. Consult with your pediatrician before beginning treatment, and then start with the lowest possible dose and increase it very gradually if you don’t see the desired effects. Some experts recommend beginning with 0.5mg of CBD per pound of body weight in kids. (This study may also be helpful for parents who want further information about cannabis in pediatric medicine.)
Can CBD Oil Work for Pets with Anxiety?
We’ve talked a lot about how CBD can benefit people with anxiety, but did you know it could be helpful for anxious pets, too? If your cat or dog suffers from anxiety, a daily dose of animal-safe CBD might be able to improve their quality of life—and yours as a result! Pets can suffer from stress and anxiety due to separation from their owners, changes in their environment, or even something as simple as a thunderstorm. As in humans, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system of cats and dogs to regulate their mood. If your pup or feline friend has a nervous disposition, consider trying out CBD dog treats or cat treats.
Final Thoughts
Whether you experience occasional stress or face anxiety on a daily basis, CBD can help you alleviate your symptoms and get more enjoyment out of your everyday life. Get started with our CBD products to see how you can take control of your anxiety!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Due to FDA Regulations, we recommend that you do your own research on CBD products. We also suggest that you read the reviews on our website, where our customers record their real-world results of using our products.
