HEALTHHow Can CBD Help For My Anxiety?
April 29 2021, Updated 4:05 p.m. ET
CBD had begun its stint as a miracle drug, with people from all over the globe reporting its varied benefits in helping stop pain and many ailments! But those people who are suffering from severe anxiety may be on the verge of the question. Will CBD do me any good? It certainly will, and we’ll tell you all about it!
What Is CBD?
CBD, shortened from cannabidiol is a type of cannabinoid. It is one of the several thousands of active compounds obtained during the extraction of marijuana or hemp plant.
Can I Go To Work After Taking CBD? Will I Be Intoxicated?
Absolutely not! CBD is a non-psychoactive substance. The feeling of intoxication and delusion that recreational user experience is because of the presence of THC. It stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a strong psychoactive substance found in cannabis plants. The THC is negligibly present in most CBD products. So, fret not!
How Does CBD Work?
The body has receptors that are attached to your cells. These receptors receive different sorts of stimuli, from hunger to satisfaction and more. The CBD is known to interact with the receptors present in the central nervous system of the body. It deals specifically with serotonin, a neuron receptor that is responsible for the “good feeling”. It plays a big role when it comes to your mental health and well-being. Low serotonin levels are indicative of feeling depressed, and in most cases it creates a feeling of trepidation and anxiety!
What All Forms Of Anxiety Will CBD Help With?
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To answer this question, we’ll need to see how CBD will help with various forms of anxiety:
- Generalized Anxiety
CBD benefits include showing lower behavioral signs of anxiety. The physiological symptoms of anxiety such as raced pulse, frantic movements have also been considerably controlled. With research being carried out in full swing, animal testing and controlled human testing has yielded positive results!
- For Other Forms Of Anxiety
For much more serious forms of anxiety such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Social anxiety disorder (SAD) among others, CBD has shown to calm and put the user in a form of “controlled consciousness”. The built-up tension is released and patients are much more at peace. CBD can help with PTSD symptoms such as that of nightmares and sleeplessness.
- For Other Neurological Problems
CBD has been seen in a 2016 study, to have an antipsychotic effect in people suffering from schizophrenia. Unlike conventional medicines for the same, CBD doesn’t showcase any of the debilitating side effects such as stupor. CBD hasn’t seen any concrete evidence regarding treating depression, but further research is expected to shed light!
How To Get Started? How Much Should I Take?
If you’re up for the idea of taking CBD for anxiety, then it is suggested that you consult your doctor. The dosage depends on various factors such as your weight, If you’re under other medication and so on. The CBD oil benefits are best seen when consumed either by vaping or sublingually. CBD can be taken sublingually meaning, diffused CBD oil (mixing CBD concentrate with coconut or hemp seed carrier oil) is secreted using a dropper under the tongue. The oil is then held there for at least a minute. This is for the oil to works its way into your bloodstream. It can then be swallowed. Keep in mind, that CBD oil can taste rather harsh on the palate!
Are There Any Side Effects To Using CBD?
There are a few notable side effects:
- Weight gain/loss
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
Although CBD is generally safe to use, it has raised some eyebrows on its interaction with other medications. It may negate or even counter-act the effects of certain drugs. It may in these cases even end up causing harm to your liver. Blood thinners if being consumed requires you to exercise caution. All in all, it is requested you consult a doctor before you start!
Is CBD Legal To Use?
Short answer? Yes. But, it depends. The status of CBD legality has been under fire, but with continuous reforms it is beginning to be more defined. If it is produced within the regulations defined by the law, all is good. But to be sure, check up with your state and local regulations to cross check the legality.
The Final Note
CBD has made leaps and bounds and the stigma associated with its use is slowly perishing. People who have been regularly on conventional medicines are slowly but steadily migrating towards CBD products. If you’ve exhausted all your options and are pushed to a corner for a solution for anxiety, I suggest you give CBD a shot. The results don’t lie!
Related: Interested in learning more about CBD for pain relief? Click here.
