CBD Oil for Anxiety & How to Use It
Cannabidiol is one of the many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants and early research is promising regarding its efficacy to help relieve anxiety. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause any feeling of intoxication or high.
How CBD Works
The human body has many different protein-based chemical receptors that receive signals from different stimuli. CB1 and CB2 are types of receptors that are mostly found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system of your body. Cannabidiol is thought to interact with these receptors.
It is still unclear how CBD affects the CB1 receptors in the brain but, it may alter the serotonin signals. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in your mental health. People who are suffering from depression seem to have low serotonin levels. In some cases, low serotonin level causes severe to moderate anxiety.
The conventional treatment for low serotonin is Selective Serotonin Reuptake aka SSRI. On the other hand, SSRI works fine but with so many side effects. If you are thinking about trying something without/with a few side effects to treat your anxiety, you can give CBD a try.
CBD For Anxiety
In animal studies, for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), CBD has shown its ability to reduce stress in rats.
CBD may also help people with social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and also with anxiety-induced insomnia. In 2011, a study researched the effects of CBD on people with Social Anxiety Disorder and the participants were given 400 milligrams of CBD or a placebo. The result showed that the level of anxiety reduced in the people who took CBD.
Multiple recent studies on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms have shown that CBD can help with PTSD symptoms like having nightmares and replaying negative memories.
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How to use CBD Oil for Anxiety
If you are curious about using CBD to help manage your anxiety, understanding the pros and cons of different CBD oil products and different methods of taking CBD oil can help you determine which form of consumption suits you the best.
Tinctures and Oils
CBD tinctures and oils are two of the most straightforward ways to consume CBD. Most CBD tinctures contain CBD in an alcohol base and, on the other hand, CBD oils contain CBD extracts infused into a carrier oil.
Tinctures and oils are taken using a dropper that allows you to measure the dose more accurately. This way, Cannabidiol enters the bloodstream rapidly and starts working within ten minutes and lasts up to 3-4 hours.
If you are taking CBD oil for anxiety, tinctures can be a great choice for you.
CBD Vape
Vaping CBD works faster and CBD gets into the bloodstream almost immediately. If you are expecting to get instant relief from anxiety, vaping can be a great choice.
Recently, the safety of vaping has come under intense scrutiny since more than 2000 people suffering from a serious lung condition called VAPI were hospitalized and led to the deaths of 42. Later the federal Centers for Disease Control has found that most of the cases were linked to the use of illicit-market THC vape cartridges. CBD vape cartridges found in legal state-licensed stores are highly regulated.
CBD Edibles
You can add CBD to your food and this is a very easy method of consuming CBD. Unfortunately, the oral bioavailability of CBD can hamper CBD absorption since CBD consumed orally needs to pass through the gastrointestinal tract before reaching the liver. As a result, the substance breaks down into inactive molecules and loses its efficacy.
Smoking
It is one of the most straightforward methods of absorbing CBD. It sends CBD directly to the alveoli of the lungs and the molecules are absorbed by the bloodstream immediately. While smoking, measuring the dose is tricky and the act of smoking can cause lung inflammation.
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Side Effects
Generally, CBD is considered a safe drug. However, some users may experience side effects including:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite
- Weight change
- Nausea
- Extremely dry mouth
These side effects are mild and may last up to 2 to 4 hours for some people. CBD also has been found to have interaction issues with other drugs. So when you are taking CBD, consult with your doctor. Your doctor will recommend you the dose you need and advise you of potential drug interactions.
