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Is CBD Oil Really Helpful For Anxiety?

Is CBD Oil Really Helpful For Anxiety?

With all that is happening worldwide about Covid-19 and the fear of the unknown, our mental health is at stake. Anxiety is one of the mental disorders that may manifest among different people in several ways. Many people have anxiety triggers at one point in their lifetime. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 30% of the US population have experienced some sort of anxiety attack.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is the body’s response to fear, worry, and sometimes stress. It is a natural reaction of the body to protect itself from danger and harm. When you face a stressful or depressing situation, the body sets itself up for preparation for the impending danger. Nonetheless, some of this response can be persistent, lasting for weeks or months. During this time, a person is said to have an anxiety disorder.

At its extreme, anxiety may come along with depression. While you cannot control the source of your anxiety, you can manage or avoid over-anxious situations. However, there are several treatment options for this mental disorder. These could be cognitive therapies, self-guided help, and conventional medication. These could be:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
  • Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Each of these treatment alternatives enhances brain activity by promoting the ‘happy hormone,’ also known as Serotonin. While most of these are antidepressants, they have potential side-effects. As a result, many people are looking for more holistic and safe treatment. CBD oil always comes up in the discussion for the high therapeutic and calming effects. 

What is CBD oil?

CBD or cannabidiol is one among hundreds of compounds in a  Cannabis Sativa plant. Unlike other compounds from Marijuana, hemp and trusted CBD flower have little to no traces of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes a high. CBD oil is a CBD supplement mixed with a carrier oil. Most of these CBD oils are processed in a manner that offers excellent relief without the intoxicating effect of Marijuana. 

Studies show that CBD is a perfect antianxiety regimen. When mixed with the right carrier oils, a patient can benefit from the mood-stabilizing, calming, and therapeutic effects of CBD. 

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How does CBD oil help with anxiety relief?

Anxiety may come from stress or depression triggers that cause mood changes and mental instability. CBD can alleviate anxiety symptoms by activating Serotonin receptors in the brain, which control mood. Research proves that CBD can be a better alternative than conventional antidepressants such as SSRIs. 

Besides being a perfect antidepressant, CBD helps alleviate anxiety by new brain cell growth. The new growth occurs in the hippocampus part of the brain responsible for emotional and mental functions. It is also where you will find the autonomic nervous system. With long-term stress and depression, the hippocampus tends to shrink, limiting mental and emotional ability. Taking CBD oil might help create new neural pathways and brain cells perfect for anxiety relief. 

CBD can also reduce the production of Cortisol, a stress hormone that causes irritability, sleep disorders, and other mental disorders. When a body is stressed, it may produce higher cortisol levels, limiting its physiological functions for wellbeing. CBD has calming properties and may lower the body’s chances of feeling stressed, thus reducing cortisol levels. CBD prevents the breakdown of Anandamide, a key neurotransmitter in the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is a crucial system in the body that regulates and controls body functions. By blocking the enzyme that breaks down the Anandamide, the body is less anxious, less depressed. 

What does the research say?

Even though most of the health benefits of CBD as a potential treatment alternative have limited research and studies, various studies prove evidence of CBD as a perfect anti-anxiety treatment. Patients who take CBD oil exhibit reduced anxiety triggers, improved cognitive ability, and comfort with an anticipatory speech from these trials. 

A 2015 study by the New York University of Medicine provides CBD oil evidence as a potential treatment alternative for different types of anxiety. Unlike several other types of research based on animals as controls, they were able to carry out a human experiment, epidemiological and clinical studies to support CBD’s effectiveness in treating anxiety disorders. 

Common anxiety disorders that CBD oil could provide relief include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
  • Social anxiety.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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The different ways to take CBD for anxiety

Depending on how fast you need the results to kick in, determine the kind of CBD to take. If your anxiety triggers are sudden, you may want to consider a CBD form that works fast. Conversely, if you are looking for daily CBD intake, you will look for CBD oil that provides lasting results. Most common forms of CBD include:

  • CBD soft gels.
  • CBD oil tinctures.
  • CBD edibles. 

Soft Gel CBD oil

CBD soft gels are more suitable for recurring anxiety attacks. They are more consistent and provide long-lasting results against anxiety. 

CBD tinctures

This is the best CBD form for sudden and situational anxiety attacks. CBD oil tinctures are absorbed into the bloodstream directly, and the effects could kick in about less than 15 minutes. 

CBD edibles

Even though some edibles act in the same way as CBD gels, they are more reliable and offer a long-lasting effect to alleviate anxiety. They are broken down in the digestive system, and their impact may take effect over time as digestion occurs.

CBD Dosage for anxiety

Considering the amount of CBD oil that combats your anxiety is essential. However, anxiety attacks are unique among different individuals, and thus the amount of CBD dosage is equally specific to your symptoms. Going with the general rule, you should consider low CBD oil levels and gradually increase your dosage depending on your symptoms.

Even though there are no given amounts that could be a CBD overdose, It is also essential to consider the amount of CBD in a given product. CBD oil tinctures can be the best CBD form to control your dose.

Photo by Tree of Life Seeds from Pexels

Conclusion

Anxiety can manifest in several ways. Even though most attacks are situational, recurring, and occasional anxiety triggers can limit physical and mental activity. CBD oil, tinctures, ingestible, can provide the much-needed relief for balanced mental health.

 

Written By: Tammy Taylor

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