There’s been research to suggest that CBD (cannabidiol) oil can relieve consumers from anxiety. Did you know that CBD is different from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)? THC is basically the substance inside cannabis that is responsible for causing intoxication, while CBD is a kind of cannabinoid that is a chemical naturally found in cannabis plants.
Since CBD doesn’t really get anyone high as THC can, research has been conducted to find out about the potential benefits of using CBD oil for treating anxiety. Stay tuned to read about CBD oil and all that you need to know about the same!
How Does CBD Work?
While finding the best CBD oil for anxiety is not a big difficulty, it’s crucial to learn how CBD works first! In this context, you have understood that a human body has several receptors. These receptors are chemical structures that are protein-based – these receptors stay attached to the different body cells.
These receptors basically receive different signals, and that too from various stimuli. It is believed that CBD interacts with both CB2 and CB1 receptors that are mostly located within the peripheral and central nervous systems, respectively. However, we are yet to find out how CBD actually affects the CB1 receptors inside your brain.
But we can definitely assume it might change serotonin signals. Moreover, serotonin is a neurotransmitter, and it plays a crucial role in your complete mental health. These low levels of serotonin are usually associated with anyone who has depression. There are even cases where a lack of serotonin has also caused anxiety.
Did you know that the most conventional treatment for most cases of low serotonin levels happens to be an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) like Prozac (fluoxetine) or Zoloft (sertraline)? These are usually available to people with prescriptions.
Several people with any kind of anxiety might be able to take care of their condition with the help of CBD and not any SSRI. But naturally, talking to your doctors before making any such decision is mandatory.
Read more: How to Make CBD Oil? – Our Top Secret Ways
All About CBD Oil For Anxiety: Research And Evidence
Several studies have been conducted to point out the advantages of using CBD for anxiety. So before we can talk about using CBD Oil For Anxiety, let’s check out what we have managed to unearth!
1. For Generalized Anxiety
So we are here to talk about the benefits of using the best CBD for anxiety if it’s generalized anxiety. For people with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), a trusted source hailing from NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) told Healthline how CBD has displayed the ability to decrease stress in some animals like rats.
The study subjects were claimed to have low levels of behavioral anxiety. After the use of CBD, it was observed that the study subjects experienced an improvement in their physiological levels of anxiety – this means their heart rate increased. Naturally, more research will be done, especially on humans with GAD.
2. For other forms of anxiety
But what about using CBD Oil for anxiety that is different from GAD? So research, as reported by Healthline, points out how CBD can also help anyone with other types of anxiety like PTSD (Post-Traumatic Disorder) and SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder). At the same time, CBD can treat insomnia induced by anxiety as well.
A study was conducted in 2011 that looked into the effects of CBD on people who had SAD. All the participants received an oral dosage worth 400 mg of a placebo or CBD. It was found out that people who had received the oral dose experienced reduced levels of anxiety. Similarly, several studies conducted recently also point out that CBD can also help people with PTSD.
3. For other neurological disorders
Just like there have been studies on using cannabidiol oil for anxiety, Healthline has also reported how CBD has been further studied in terms of treating different neurological disorders. A literature review based on psychiatric disorders and CBD conducted in 2017 found that there was enough evidence for saying that CBD is a treatment option for depression.
However, some evidence was found that suggested how CBD could treat anxiety disorders. But these were all uncontrolled – it basically means that all the participants were not exactly compared to any separate group receiving a different kind of treatment or no such treatment at all.
All About CBD Oil For Anxiety: Dosage
Are you interested in trying out CBD oil for anxiety? Then you consult with your doctor – your doctor can help you understand how CBD dosage works or what should be your starting dose.
However, NORML (National Organization For The Reform Of Marijuana Laws), a nonprofit endeavor, mentions that only a few products actually contain enough amounts of CBD in order to even replicate those therapeutic effects observed in different clinical trials.
A study was conducted in 2018 where male subjects were given CBD right before they sat for a simulated public speaking test. It was found that participants who were given an oral dosage of CBD (about 300 mg) 90 minutes before they took the test felt a decrease in their anxiety levels.
At the same time, both study subjects and participants of this placebo group who took 150 mg of CBD experienced little to no benefit. This was also true for the study subjects who took 600 mg of CBD. Of course, the study checked out only 57 subjects, a small number.
As a result, it is obvious that more research needs to be done, including different studies which will observe female subjects as well – this can help to determine the accurate dosage for anyone with anxiety.
Read more: How To Take CBD Oil For Pain?
All About CBD Oil For Anxiety: CBD Side Effects
Before choosing some CBD drops for anxiety, it’s always best to check out the side effects of CBD on the human body. While CBD oil for anxiety is generally considered to be safe, some people might also experience certain CBD side effects. These side effects are as follows:
- Fatigue,
- Diarrhea,
- Changes in your appetite, and
- Changes in your weight.
It is also highly possible that CBD might engage with your dietary supplements or other medications. If you take any kind of blood thinners accompanied by those ‘grapefruit warnings,’ then you need to take extra caution in terms of the medications you are taking. This is because both grapefruit and CBD engage with enzymes which are considered to be vital for drug metabolism.
Moreover, you should never stop your medications you are already on before consulting with your doctor. Of course, using the best CBD tincture for anxiety can help you out in the long term, but it is also highly possible for you to undergo withdrawal symptoms, especially if you stop taking any of your usual prescription medications suddenly.
The most popular withdrawal symptoms are as follows:
- Nausea,
- Dizziness,
- Fogginess, and
- Irritability.
Factors Influencing CBD Dosages
While deciding the correct dosage of CBD is most important when you are taking it, there are certain factors that influence the dosage of CBD in humans.
The factors may include:
• Usage: Certain medical conditions may influence the correct dosage of CBD for you. For instance, some people require higher dosages to control conditions like epilepsy. On the other hand, a smaller dosage may turn out to be effective for other conditions like anxiety.
• Weight: In multiple clinical trials and while using Epidiolex, doctors calculated a dose for every kilogram of body weight. People who have less body weight must, therefore, take in lower dosages of CBD in comparison to people who weigh more.
• Alcohol: Alcohol or other central nervous system depressants may increase how much sedation CBD may cause.
• Other medications: Certain medicines may also reduce the effectiveness of CBD. This will also impact the necessary dose. Likewise, combining CBD with other medicines like valproate may accelerate the risks of liver toxicity.
• Form: Dosages may vary based on what form of CBD you take. A CBD capsule comes with a very specific dosage. On the other hand, oral alternatives depend on the volume.
You need to talk with a medical professional before you decide to take CBD to be able to get just the right dosage.
CBD Oil For Anxiety: Side Effects
While CBD has multiple health benefits that are praiseworthy, that does not mean that there are no drawbacks. CBD certainly has a line of drawbacks that you need to be aware of before you start taking it.
While the drawbacks are not too serious, they shall not get you high or intoxicated. So, whatever symptoms you experience, they shall be found in a couple of hours. However, if things do not get normal, you will likely have to visit the doctor.
Some of the most common side effects of CBD are outlined in proper details below:
Drowsiness
Sedation and drowsiness are some of the most common symptoms of side effects of CBD. While it is still can a benefit for some people, the effects might turn out too strong if you end up taking it with other sedative medications.
However, for your normal drowsiness, there is nothing that you need to worry about. The condition shall not be too serious, and you can probably just sleep through it.
Gastrointestinal Issues
An upset stomach or some other gastrointestinal issues are some other common side effects that you may notice after taking CBD. Some people may even experience diarrhea or liver issues while using CBD. This depends on the medical history of the individual. Therefore, monitoring is most important.
Dry Mouth
Also called the “cotton mouth,” CBD has the potential to cause your eyes and mouth to feel extremely dry. Though these side effects usually happen with THC, there is a slight chance that it might happen with CBD, too. The exact reason why CBD causes a dry mouth is not out yet, but studies suggest that it is CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system that impacts the production of saliva.
And It’s A Wrap!
And it’s a wrap on using CBD oil for anxiety! What are your thoughts on using CBD oil to treat your anxiety? Are you planning to read about it some more and consult your doctor? Or are you not convinced at all? We would love to know what’s going on inside that pretty little head of yours.
Also, while sharing your thoughts, don’t forget to tell us about your experiences with using CBD, if you have done so in the past, in the comments below!
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