CBD For Anxiety

It seems that these days, everyone’s a little more on edge than they’d like to be.

Even without a diagnosed condition, the everyday stressors of life have started to seem louder among a backdrop of pandemics, war, and political upheaval. And, for those struggling with anxiety disorders, getting through the day is even harder than before.

However, research suggests that there is an unlikely hero we can turn to in those moments of overwhelming fear: CBD. With its muscle relaxing and anxiety-relieving effects, CBD may be the next great addition to your anxiety-relief toolkit.

How Does CBD Work?

As a cannabinoid, CBD creates its effects by activating receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a network of cells, nerves, and enzymes that are thought to influence things like appetite, pain, metabolism, inflammation, mood, sleep, stress, and more.

As a result, CBD can produce a range of related effects, including relaxation, anxiety relief, improved sleep, and pain relief. And though it’s produced from the same cannabis plant as THC, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive or mind-altering effects, so you can safely take it throughout the day.

Related: Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum CBD

Is CBD Safe (And Legal)?

Anyone struggling with anxiety may feel an extra pang of fear when considering using CBD, especially given its association with THC and cannabis. Luckily, CBD is perfectly safe and yields only mild adverse side effects.

CBD's most common but rare side effects include dry mouth, low blood pressure, drowsiness, and lightheadedness. Still, CBD can have some negative interactions with other medications, so it’s always best to check with your healthcare professional before trying it out.

As for its legal status, CBD is perfectly legal. In 2019, the World Health Organization public stated that there are no public health or addiction risks associated with wide-scale CBD use and recommended that nations worldwide loosen their restrictions on the substance. As a result, the US (among many other nations) legalized CBD at a federal level.

CBD For Anxiety

Whether it’s an upcoming presentation or tensions with a family member, a quality CBD product can help manage short-term, non-disordered stress a little more easily. With its relaxing and calming effects, it’s no surprise that taking CBD can give you enough peace and clarity of mind to keep you from spiraling into your stress.

However, because most current research on CBD has focused on clinical applications of the substance, most evidence of its stress-relieving effects is still strictly anecdotal.

Related: CBD Oil for Migraines

CBD For Anxiety Disorders

When it comes to clinically-diagnosed anxiety disorders, the evidence of CBD’s effectiveness becomes a little clearer. Several studies on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have found significant improvements in patients who take CBD, including one where 78.1-79.2% of participants saw improvements in anxiety symptoms after their CBD treatment.

This evidence doesn’t just apply to GAD, though. Other anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder, PTSD, and phobias have also improved following CBD treatments. For instance, several studies on PTSD have shown that taking CBD reduced the severity of patients’ nightmares and the frequency of traumatic memories. Unsurprisingly, anxiety-relaxed insomnia has also been shown to improve following the use of CBD.

Wondering if CBD is right for your anxiety symptoms? Check out our farm’s selection of CBD products today!

What To Look For in CBD Anxiety Relief

With so many potential benefits to CBD, just about anyone who regularly faces anxiety would be interested in giving it a shot. Still, it’s not enough to just grab any random CBD product off the shelf—there are a few key factors to consider to make sure you’re buying a product that’ll genuinely help:

Third-Party Testing

We’ve mentioned it before, and we’ll mention it again: the number one thing to check for in your CBD is also third-party testing.

Because of the lack of uniform regulation of CBD products, manufacturers can slap just about anything on a label and try to sell it to you. To ensure your products are as potent or pure as they claim, make sure your CBD manufacturer has sent samples of their products to an independent lab for testing.

Full-Spectrum Products

To get the most out of your product, consider a full-spectrum CBD product. This allows you to take advantage of the entourage effect, which is when the benefits of CBD are heightened when it’s taken with other cannabinoids.

Full-spectrum products include dozens of other cannabinoids (including low, safe levels of THC) to ensure that the user gets the maximum benefit from their CBD without getting the high associated with higher levels of THC.

CBD Product Form

As you may have noticed, CBD can come in just about any form, from tinctures to oils to gummies to topicals. To ensure maximum anxiety-reducing effects, it may be helpful to take the form of CBD into account.

When it comes to anxiety, topical CBD products are a bad choice since they only provide localized relief and are primarily used for region-specific pain or muscle relaxation.

With tinctures, oils, and gummies, however, it’s up to your personal preference. Still, be aware that taking CBD gummies will slow down the onset of effects since it will have to pass through the digestive system before it’s absorbed. If you are serious about controlling your anxiety, oils and tinctures are much more fast-acting and better choice for everyday use.

Related: CBD Dosages: Directions & When to Take It

How To Take CBD For Anxiety Relief

In addition to which CBD product to buy, there’s also the obvious question of how to use it. Overall, the process is pretty straightforward—take the product, wait, and watch it take effect. Still, there are a few tips to keep in mind throughout this process.

Check Your Current Medications

Before you take any new substance, including CBD, it’s always wise to check with a healthcare professional. In the case of CBD, there are some known drug interactions (some of which can be found here) that can become either dangerous or simply reduce the effectiveness of your product. Before starting CBD, be sure to check each of your current medications to ensure a smooth process.

Start With A Low Dosage

The rule with any new medication is always to start low and go slow, and CBD is no different.

Take a look at the recommended dosage written on your CBD product. In most cases, this will be written as a range, in which case it’s best to start on the lower end of that range and work your way up. While taking too much CBD won’t be dangerous, starting low can help you understand what dosage provides the best relief while leaving you the most comfortable.

Final Words

Stress and anxiety can predispose you to just about any major health condition, from depression to heart disease. And even putting health aside, anxiety can make your life miserable and ruin precious moments you can never get back.

Taking back control over your anxiety and your life is the first step to putting all that behind you, and there seems to be good evidence that CBD can help put you on that path.

Ready to get your anxiety back under control? Explore Bordertown’s all-organic CBD products today!