man with anxiety

CBD For Anxiety: Your Questions Answered

 Anxiety is your body’s reaction to stress, danger, or nervousness. Our body usually gets triggered with anxiety when we feel worried about something that has yet to happen, such as, an upcoming interview, getting married, or going on a blind date.  

Anxiety can affect anyone at any age, and even strikes as young as infants. It’s common for babies and toddlers (and in some cases adults) to suffer from separation anxiety, a disorder where one worries about being away from someone they are extremely close to, or attached to.

Symptoms of anxiety include:

Fast heartbeat
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Butterflies in the stomach
Unable to concentrate
Weakness
Fatigue
Sweating
Feeling like something bad will happen

It’s normal for every person to experience some level of anxiety throughout their lifetime. However, there are certain anxiety disorders that are not a normal way of life. People with anxiety disorders experience extreme amounts of uncontrollable anxiety, that sometimes ends up disrupting their work performance, family relationships, and their daily routines.

Anxiety disorders include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, disorders related to phobias, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and panic disorders.

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is an anxiety disorder that causes people to experience constant worrying, even if they know there’s nothing to worry about. People who suffer from GAD are unable to control their anxiousness, and it’s important to note that this disorder is different from regular, normal anxiety. While the average person with occasional anxiety knows why they’re feeling anxious, people with GAD may not understand why they’re having these feelings.

Symptoms of GAD include:

Sweaty hands
Trembling
Increased heartbeat
Diarrhea
Unable to concentrate
Paralysis in random areas of the body
Insomnia

Anxiety can be a burden and, in some cases, cause anxiety attacks or panic attacks, but it’s important to know that there are options to control anxiety, including CBD.

What Is CBD?

CBD 5 (Cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid, a group of substances found in cannabis. Contrary to belief, CBD does not have the same psychoactive effects as THC, a cannabinoid that causes a high feeling. CBD is used as treatment for many different conditions, such as, anxiety, epilepsy, chronic pain, substance abuse, and depression.

While CBD is considered a safer option for treatment as it is natural, there are a few side effects that some users have experienced:

Tiredness
Weight loss or weight gain
Loss of appetite

Using CBD For Anxiety

According to Healthline, CBD is believed to connect with two receptors in the nervous system and could change serotonin levels. Serotonin is a powerful part to your mental health. Low levels of serotonin could cause you to experience depression and anxiety.

Although the studies between CBD and anxiety are erratic, experiments done on animals showed that CBD decreased the levels of stress on the animals. Some people who have reported using CBD have stated that it relieved them from chronic pain and anxiety.

Many people with an anxiety disorder are prescribed medications, such as, Xanax, Zoloft, and Prozac. These medications could cause addictions because they can give people a feeling of being high. Therefore, CBD seems to be the better alternative.

For people who are interested, there are a few ways you can use CBD for anxiety.

Different Ways To Use CBD For Anxiety

Vaping: The most common way to use CBD is by vaping it through a pen-styled vape. While it is still unclear if vaping harms the lungs, vaping CBD is the fastest way to experience the effects of CBD.

Oral Ingestion: CBD comes in oral forms, such as oils and oral sprays. CBD oils go under the tongue (or in your favorite drink), where it then enters the bloodstream. Other ways to take CBD oils is to put it into capsules and swallow them, or to rub it into the skin.

Edibles: CBD comes in the form of gummies, and is a popular way to use CBD. People usually choose edible CBD over oils or vaping because it doesn’t look strange if they have to take them in public. CBD edibles are typically made with bulk CBD distillate, which can include other beneficial cannabinoids. It’s important to note that edibles don’t work as fast as oils or vaping, and won’t be able to quickly treat an anxiety or panic attack.

If you decide you are going to use CBD to reduce your anxiety, and you are already taking prescription medications, you should consult with your doctor before use.