Using CBD for Anxiety

What is CBD in anxiety? What is anxiety? How to use CBD to treat anxiety; and Benefits of CBD in tackling anxiety. The article explains the above queries and statements to provide well-researched information about using CBD for anxiety relief.

People experience anxiety occasionally, which is normal, but it can become excessive, resulting in a disorder. It has no boundaries regarding age, social class, or religion, making people search for ways to tackle anxiety, and CBD popped in. Cannabidiol is one of the most researched compounds from the cannabis plant. Clinical trials and studies have shown that CBD can handle anxiety disorders without necessarily being dependent on it like other herbal remedies like THC. CBD-infused products like capsules, soft gels, topical, and edibles are largely purchased by many in this covid-19 pandemic since many people are suffering from excessive worry about their livelihood and family. Learn more about cbd might cure your hangover

What Is CBD for Anxiety?

It is a chemical compound that naturally exists in the leaves and flowers of the cannabis Sativa plant. The compound is largely extracted from the industrial hemp plant, one of the species of the Cannabis class. The plant contains a high concentration of CBD compounds and low content of THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is famous for causing a feeling of high in marijuana users and portrays addiction. THC is not suited to treat anxiety since, apart from its dependency, excessive usage can worsen the situation by making patients feel more confused and self-denial.   CBD is a non-addictive and non-psychoactive compound that provides its patient with calming effects,  good mood, and anti-depressant properties suited to tackle anxiety disorders.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a healthy emotion that helps you to sense danger and stress. However, it can last for a long period resulting in anxiety disorder. Horenstein & Heimberg (2020) stated that anxiety disorder is characterized by the excessive feeling of tension, fear, worry, and change in blood pressure about something or traumatic events that happened in the far past. It changes how you process and respond to negative thoughts resulting in symptoms like sweating, high blood pressure, stress, and high heartbeat rate. Anxiety can be heredity, passed from one generation to another but is very rare. It is mainly caused by diseases like diabetes, heart problems, Alzheimer's, ADHD, PSTD, hypertension, and respiratory disorders. Also, anxiety can be triggered by environmental factors like personality, trauma, relationships, pains  and drug misuse, and withdrawal

How To Use CBD To Treat Anxiety

The FDA has not regulated the manufacturing and purchasing of CBD products; therefore, optimal CBD use for anxiety varies from one person to another depending on the age, body weight, and metabolic rate. The following are ways considered when using CBD products for anxiety management:

Types of CBD for Anxiety

Terasvalli & Heini. (2020) suggested that Companies manufacturing CBD have increased due to the high demand for the herbal remedy, resulting in different extractions techniques and thus different CBD compositions. There are three different brands of CBD available for anxiety over the counter, namely;

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate contains only CBD compound since all cannabinoids are removed from the hemp plant leaving isolated CBD during extraction. The crystalline type is then diluted with organic carrier oils like coconut oil which heightens CBD power against anxiety.

Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum is characterized by providing anxiety patients with entourage effects since it contains other health benefits from other cannabinoids like terpenes and CBN. However, it contains traces of THC, which may risk psychoactive effects.

Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad-spectrum CBD contains most cannabinoids except THC providing entourage effects to users without the risk of getting high.

Dosage

It is important to identify the right CBD dosage for your anxiety. It all depends on the magnitude of the anxiety, your body chemistry, and your method of taking it. Shannon et al. (2019) explained that when you are suffering from anxiety disorder for a long time, 300 to 600 milligrams of CBD is effective in treating the condition, while for acute stages, 35 to 75 Mg is proven to treat the acute anxiety. Age and body chemistry, like metabolic rate, can make CBD dosage differ. Doctors advise kids suffering from anxiety to take up to 20 Mg of CBD to avoid complications. The less the body weight, the more CBD dosage one can handle. When you have anxiety problems, start small and work your way up depending on the treatment progress.

Method of consumption

After identifying your dose and CBD type, CBD can be taken in the following ways to combat anxiety:

Orally

CBD products like gummies, edibles, capsules, and soft gels can be taken through the mouth and pass the digestion and metabolic processes. For effects to kick in, effects take approximately 90 to 120 minutes.

Sublingually

Sublingual involves using CBD oil and tinctures to place a few drops of the liquid under the tongue. Hold the CBD oil for a few seconds before swallowing to allow CBD to penetrate the bloodstream through mouth membranes. Since the method bypass the digestive tract, the effect of tackling anxiety is felt after 2 to 5 minutes

Directly to the Skin

CBD topicals like cream, lotion, salve, or body scrub are applied directly to the skin. The CBD diffuses through the skin pores to the bloodstream.

Benefits of CBD in Tackling Anxiety

Shannon et al. (2016) showed that upon ingestion of CBD in the bloodstream, it interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) to alleviate anxiety. ECS is responsible for maintaining body balances such as sleep, mood, anxiety, and pain.CBD interacts with the system to deliver the following benefits:

It Alleviates Chronic Pain and Inflammation, Which Triggers Anxiety

It is anti-inflammatory, which reduces inflammation due to oxidative cell stress, which causes tissue damage and pain. Interaction with ECS helps the body to reduce pain perception by the nervous system.

Increases Production of Stress Reliever Hormone

CBD interacts with brain cannabinoid receptors to allow neurons to produce more hormone serotonin which reduces stressing and anxious thoughts. Deficiency of serotonin results in to increase in anxiety and stress.

Provides Quality Sleep

anxiety is highly related to sleeping problems. CBD induces calming and relaxing effects, which make the patient fall asleep quickly. It keeps one fresh and alert during the day, stabilizing sleeping patterns and anxiety.

It decreases symptoms of anxiety causing diseases like PSTD and ADHD, Alzheimer's, and cancer- for example, in cancer treatment, CBD is administered alongside psychiatric care drugs for cancer to reduce medicinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

Conclusion

Anxiety is the most common mental disorder affecting quite a large population. Currently, it is very common, especially during a pandemic. According to medical studies, CBD has proved to help in managing anxiety and its causes. However, CBD has not yet been cleared to act as an anxiety relief medication by FDA. Therefore, with stories, research, and consultation from your health official, you can determine if CBD is safe for treating your anxiety. It is easy and convenient to use since it involves applying directly to the skin, orally and sublingually. Learn more about does cbd help with dark spots

References

Horenstein, A., & Heimberg, R. G. (2020). Anxiety Disorders And Healthcare Utilization: A Systematic Review. Clinical Psychology Review, 81, 101894.

Teräsvalli, H. (2020). Extraction And Purification Of Cannabidiol.

Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol In Anxiety And Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal, 23.

Shannon, S., & Opila-Lehman, J. (2016). Effectiveness Of Cannabidiol Oil For Pediatric Anxiety And Insomnia As Part Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4).