Can CBD Help in Removing Fear of Flying?

CBD products like gummies and capsules can be easily carried and used in planes to reduce anxiety associated with flying. This blog explains the form of CBD to use in tackling flying fear and how CBD works in combating plane fear.

Flying is the safest mode of transport, with the lowest chances of an accident occurring. However, the flying phobia is very real. The best way to deal with the flying fear is to take a quick nap and wake up at the final destination. Not all flyers can sleep while nervous. Therefore, most people take CBD products like CBD tinctures to relieve the condition. A single drop of CBD oil under the tongue treats anxiety and gives you a long nap while traveling. However, according to UK laws, always carry CBD supplements derived from hemp extract and contain less than 0.2% of THC. 

Understanding CBD

CBD is a short name for Cannabidiol. It is a natural compound in the Cannabis Sativa plants with over 100s other cannabinoids. It is extracted mostly from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plants using the CO2 extraction technique. The plant extract is submerged into a CO2 solvent where CBD molecules are absorbed and diluted using organic carrier oils like coconut and hemp seed oil. According to Gibbs et al. (2019), in 2018, the UK government legalized using CBD products such as CBD oil for public consumption. However, the product should contain less than 0.2% THC and be derived from hemp plants. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a famous cannabinoid highly associated with highness and paranoia among marijuana smokers. Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound largely associated with health benefits and therapeutic effects without triggering health risks and side effects. According to Shannon et al. (2015), CBD can be used to provide the following health effects:

• Manage anxiety and stress by activating good mood in depressed minds
• Maintain good mental clarity, concentration, and focus.
• Reduce body pains such as back aches, skin itchiness, sciatica pains, and muscle or joint aches.
• Reduce high drug dependency for patients using certain opioids, anti-depressant, immune-suppressive, anti-platelets, and anti-coagulants.
• Boost skin health and complexity by softening deep-rooted wrinkles, moisturizing the skin, and promoting natural healing.
• Boost body energy levels
• Promote a good night's sleep by making you fall asleep fast and keeping you alert and active during the day.

Forms Of CBD to Use to Remove Flying Fear

There are various CBD products available in the hemp market, but not all are suited for discrete traveling. For instance, CBD oil is the most popular cannabis supplement, but it can easily spill on your clothes or bag. Therefore, the following are forms of CBD to use to tackle flying anxiety without drawing much attention:

CBD Gummies

CBD gummies are sweet candies with CBD as the main active ingredient and gelatin for product thickening. It is the most delicious way to harness the therapeutic effects of CBD. It masks the earthy bitter taste associated with cannabis with different flavors to choose from. However, taking the product an hour before the flight is advisable since it has a slow reaction speed. CBD compounds must pass through the digestive tract before being metabolized and absorbed into the bloodstream. It will take approximately 40 to 60 minutes to feel the calming effects of CBD kick in.

CBD Softgels/Capsules

CBD softgels are small pill-like products that contain a pre-determined amount of CBD oil. It consists of a dissolvable casing made of vegetarian materials dissolving in the stomach to release the active ingredient. Capsules are similar to softgels but contain dry CBD ingredients rather than the oil version. Britch et al. (2017) showed that it would take less than 30 minutes to feel the relieving effects of CBD while tackling plane anxiety.

CBD Vaping Devices

Vaping is the fastest way to take CBD while tackling flying fear. It involves usingelectronic devices like vape pens to heat CBD e-liquid into a vapor inhaled directly into the bloodstream through the lung tissues. Martinenghi et al. (2020) stated that It takes less than 5 minutes to feel the effects of CBD manifesting. Vaping devices are small and do not produce smoke, making them a discrete way to take CBD.

CBD Tinctures

CBD tinctures are alcohol-based CBD solutions packed in bottles with a calibrated dropper. It is the least discrete way to take CBD but provides instant relief from flying fear. A few drops of CBD tincture are placed under the tongue using the dropper, and the liquid stays there for a few seconds. Bellocchio et al. (2021) showed that the sublingual method allows CBD compounds to diffuse through the numerous blood capillaries under the tongue directly into the body systems. The study above also suggested that it will take 5 to 10 minutes to feel the effects of CBD kick in.

How CBD Works In Tackling Flying Fear

After consuming CBD products, CBD molecules find their way into the bloodstream,interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to relieve anxiety and other body discomforts. ECS is a complex structure that consists of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids like 2-arachidonoglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide. The system maintains homeostasis by eradicating body imbalances like pain, stress, appetite, and tension. According to Chye et al. (2019), CBD increases the production of 2-AG that binds with cannabinoid receptors in the brain neurons to induce a calm and happy mood. Unlike THC compounds that bind with the receptors, CBD does not connect with the cannabinoid receptors, supporting normal and healthy ECS functions. CBD interaction with ECS receptors and body cannabinoids can help manage flying anxiety in the following ways:

According to P Soares et al. (2017), CBD has anti-anxiety properties whereby it increases the production of the hormone serotonin, responsible for releasing calming compounds like dopamine. You may feel happy, less anxious, and calm.

CBD provides good sleep while flying. It induces relaxing effects inthe mind and muscles, making you sleepy. Sleeping is the most recommended technique to tackle flying fear.

CBD provides good mental clarity and concentration that help you focus on reading, watching, or doing something that keeps your mind away from traumatic thoughts.

Conclusion

CBD products such as gummies, tinctures, vaping devices, and tablets are commonly used to eliminate plane flights in most affected travelers. They are discrete and effective to use. However, the products should contain less than 0.2% THC and be derived from hemp extract. It is because marijuana-derived CBD is illegal for public transport, and THC is an intoxicating compound with mind-altering effects like highness and confusion. CBD has anti-anxiety properties that help reduce flying fear. It interacts with ECS receptors and endocannabinoids to increase the release of calm compounds like dopamine in the brain neurons. The compounds will alter how you perceive anxious thoughts, help you focus on other activities, or give you a long nap.

Reference

Chye, Y., Christensen, E., Solowij, N., &Yücel, M. (2019). The endocannabinoid system and Cannabidiol promise the treatment of substance use disorder. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 63.

Gibbs, B., Yates, D. A., & Liebling, J. (2019). CBD in the UK. London, UK: Centre for Medicinal Cannabis.

P Soares, V., & C Campos, A. (2017). Evidence for the anti-panic actions of Cannabidiol. Current neuropharmacology, 15(2), 291-299.

Shannon, S., &Opila-Lehman, J. (2015). Cannabidiol oil for decreasing addictive use of marijuana: a case report. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal, 14(6), 31.