USING CBD FOR ANXIETY

People use CBD oil for many reasons, including managing anxiety. There is not enough evidence to show that CBD oil can treat or cure anxiety, but existing studies show that CBD oil might help people manage anxiety, its effects, or causes. This article explores the effect of CBD on anxiety and other related concerns.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world in 2019, people have become more anxious. People have to put up with the loss of jobs, incapacitation, loss of loved ones, and the rising cost of living. These, coupled with family issues and other problems, make things even tougher and predispose people to more anxiety, with some ending in depression. Yet, the conventional methods for managing anxiety, including therapy and pharma-grade medications, seem not to be everyone’s cup of tea. Could CBD oil help? Here is what you need to know.

What Is CBD, and Does It Matter?

This section explores what CBD is before looking at its role in managing or reducing anxiety. CBD is one of the cannabinoids or active compounds harbored by cannabis plants. It is often confused for THC, another active compound, but CBD is non-psychoactive and will not result n the ‘high’ effect. It makes a great alternative, especially for people who need to explore the benefits of cannabis plants but fear the ‘high’ effect. CBD oil occurs in three types; full- and broad-spectrum formulated CBD with many cannabinoids and isolate-based CBD with CBD as the only cannabinoid without additional terpenes, flavonoids, or cannabinoids. You can enjoy CBD oil by eating edible items, applying it topically on the affected parts, administering its oils and tinctures sublingually, vaping it, or swallowing CBD-infused capsules and softgels.

Can You Use CBD Oil for Anxiety?

Like many other CBD users, you probably have joined the bandwagon of CBD oil for pain. If not, you are likely one person or more who uses CBD oil to manage anxiety. Still, you might wonder whether CBD oil can make a good alternative for treating, curing, or diagnosing anxiety. So far, so good; there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that CBD oil might be good for anxiety. However, existing studies show that CBD oil might help with anxiety in one way or another, and the next section explores some of the studies.

CBD for Different Types of Anxiety

Can CBD help with anxiety from PTSD, separation, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other types of anxiety? According to a study published in Elsevier by Skelley et al.(2020), CBD showed the potential to help people with various forms of anxiety manage the condition. The study included the review of several studies, including one of a 10-year-old girl who had tried several pharma-grade options to manage her PTSD but only found improvements with CBD. Still, more evidence is needed to prove that CBD might help efficaciously with anxiety before recommending it for the condition.

CBD for Chronic Pain and Anxiety

The other reason people might suffer anxiety is because of pain. When a person has never-ending pain, the chances are high that he might go into thoughtful nights, with some people ending in depression. Can CBD oil help in any way? In one study by Blake et al. (2017), CBD oil showed the potential to help manage chronic pain. It promises to reduce anxiety from pain, although further research is needed before recommending it for pain and anxiety.

What Type of CBD Would Help a Person with Anxiety?

There are three types of CBD that one would go for to manage anxiety, including;

Full-spectrum CBD; has CBD, THC, terpene, flavonoids, and all other cannabinoids, and many like it full its full entourage effect.
Broad-spectrum CBD; has as many compounds as full-spectrum CBD; only that it lacks the psychoactive THC, but it is also linked to a full entourage effect.
Isolate-based CBD; has pure CBD without additional cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids.

The choice of CBD one goes for depends on his preferences and tastes. Many CBD enthusiasts like broad- and full-spectrum CBD for their full entourage effect, whereas the former is applicable for those who want nothing to do with THC. Still, isolates might be a better option if you want nothing to do with the full entourage effect or the earthy taste of whole-plant hemp CBD and additional cannabinoids.

CBD Deliverable Methods for Anxiety

Currently, there is limited research on CBD, and no single study has explored the appropriate deliverable method for anxiety. Still, the main anxiety products in the CBD market feature;

CBD Tinctures and oils; are CBD administered sublingually for faster absorption. Although they might have the bitter taste and earthy aftertaste of whole-plant hemp CBD, most feature fruity and vegetable flavors that try to mask the taste.
CBD Gummies; are chewable sweets infused with CBD that feature different colors, flavors, strengths, and compositions, presenting CBD users with a plethora to choose from.
CBD Topicals: might help you if your anxiety is caused by chronic pain since many people now apply CBD topically on paining and pressure points, with many reporting, that they have found it helpful.
CBD Capsules and softgels; did you know that many people swallow CBD capsules for anxiety? Besides, these are available in vegan and non-vegan options, presenting everyone with something to try, and are an ideal way to mask the taste of CBD.

Conclusion

Many things, including the current pandemic and what comes with it, subject people to anxiety. Many of such individuals do not have medication or feel that the medications do not work for them. Meanwhile, the hype around CBD oil is drastically increasing, and you may wonder if CBD might help with it. Generally, CBD cannot heal, cure, or diagnose anxiety. Still, studies suggest that it might fight the pain that comes with anxiety or help a person manage anxiety, as explained in this article. To manage anxiety with CBD, you might opt for the three main types of CBD and tinctures capsules, capsules, capsules, gummies, and capsules.

References

Blake, A., Wan, B. A., Malek, L., DeAngelis, C., Diaz, P., Lao, N., … & O’Hearn, S. (2017). A selective review of medical cannabis in cancer pain management. Ann Palliat Med, 6(Suppl 2), S215-S222.

Skelley, J. W., Deas, C. M., Curren, Z., & Ennis, J. (2020). Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 60(1), 253-261.