Does CBD really work for anxiety?
The number of people experiencing anxiety in the UK has risen drastically over the last decade. According to a recent survey, this mental illness has tripled in number among young adults. Many people suffering from anxiety are turning towards natural remedies rather than relying on potentially addictive prescription medication. With cannabidiol gaining popularity, the question arises; using CBD oil for anxiety: can it help?
Before we explore whether using CBD oil is helpful, let’s first define what anxiety is and what the common symptoms are.
What is anxiety and what are the common symptoms?
Anxiety is your body’s inherent response to stress. There can be many stressors in your daily life. These can range from stress at work, troubled relationships, and family to even you innate brain chemistry and genetics. All across the world, many people live with anxiety disorders without even realizing it.
Anxiety is not always debilitating enough to disrupt your daily routine. For instance, a small amount of anxiety before an exam or an important presentation may be completely normal and not a cause of concern. It may help as it would push you to perform well.
However, for some people, the symptoms of anxiety may not be temporary. They may help but be quite intense and negatively affect their day-to-day activities.
Common symptoms of anxiety
Some of the symptoms of anxiety are:
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive worrying
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty concentrating
- Inability to relax
- Irrational fears
- Feeling weak or tired
- Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep
Does Cannabidiol help with mental health and anxiety?
The simple answer is, maybe! Benefits of CBD for mental health is gaining popularity nowadays. Several studies point to the clinical evidence of CBD being an effective treatment for anxiety disorders such as:
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD)
- Panic Disorder (PD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
As you might already know, CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike THC, it does not have any psychoactive properties and does not cause a ‘high’. CBD interacts with the CB1 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors in your brain that regulate anxiety-induced behaviours.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important part in maintaining mental health. People with generalized anxiety disorder and depression are generally seen to have low serotonin levels. Using CBD oil alters these serotonin signals and produces a calming effect.
Recent studies on CBD for Depression
A study evaluating CBD’s effects on 397 adults residing in New Zealand was conducted last year. The participants received CBD for a variety of ailments, including mental health symptoms. All participants reported an overall improvement in the quality of life after three weeks of getting CBD treatment.
Those who received CBD for depression and anxiety disorders reported a marked improvement in their ability to carry out daily functions. Moreover, they also experienced a reduction in their pain and anxiety symptoms.
Although more clinical research needs to be undertaken in humans to establish definitive effects of CBD for anxiety, recent studies and anecdotal evidence are pointing to its efficacy.
How can you take CBD for anxiety?
CBD can be consumed in several ways. Popular methods of administration of CBD are:
- CBD oil
- Capsules
- Edibles (gummies, candies, coffee, tea, energy drinks etc)
- CBD sprays
- CBD flowers
The particular method of administration usually determines how soon CBD starts taking effect. Orally consumed CBD products such as CBD oil, capsules, and gummies, usually take effect within 30 minutes to 2 hours. On the other hand, vaping or smoking CBD oil or CBD strains results in more immediate effects.
You can use oral CBD products throughout the day to relieve anxiety disorders. Some people find it more effective to take these with some food in the morning.
How much CBD do i need to help anxiety?
An effective dosage of CBD usually varies from person to person. There is an interplay of many factors when it comes to figuring out the right dose of Cannabidiol for mental health. These include:
- Type of CBD product used
- Administration method
- Severity of the illness
- Bodyweight
- Metabolism
- Sensitivity and tolerance for CBD
Researchers in a 2019 study found that administering 300-600 mg of CBD markedly reduced anxiety symptoms in 57 adult men. It is important to realize, however, that this was a clinical setting. For people new to using CBD, it is advisable to start slow. You can gradually build up your dosage with time as per your needs.
There are no standardized CBD Oil for depression dosage recommendations by healthcare professionals. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the average Cannabidiol dosage based on severity of illness is:
- Mild anxiety: 5-15 mg of CBD twice a day
- Moderate anxiety: 15mg-30mg twice a day
- Severe anxiety: 30mg-60mg twice a day
Check out our related blog on: How much CBD should you take?
What is CBD oil for anxiety?
CBD oil is derived from the hemp plant. It is a discreet and effective method of consuming CBD. It can be taken sublingually, by putting a few drops under the tongue. This ensures a high bioavailability rate of Cannabidiol, as it enters your system much more quickly by bypassing your digestive system. Thus, you can experience the effects within minutes.
You can also add CBD oil to your favourite food or drink. There are currently three types of these on the market:
- Full-spectrum
- Broad-spectrum
- CBD isolate
Fortune Flavours CBD oil
All CBD oils at Fortune Flavours are made with full-spectrum CBD. This means that that the oil contains all the beneficial compounds of the hemp plant such as terpenes, flavonoids as well as other cannabinoids.
This way, the user can truly benefit from the entourage effect. This comes about when all these compounds work in synergy.
Moreover, Fortune Flavours 10 ml CBD oil bottles come with a dropper and you can conveniently consume an accurate dose. Fortune Flavours recommends a total of 10 drops a day.
Several studies have shown the positive effects of Cannabidiol for reducing anxiety. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), CBD has been shown to significantly reduce stress in rats. The rats exhibited lowered signs of anxiety, such as a decrease in previously increased heart rate.
What is CBD flower for anxiety?
CBD flowers are fast becoming a popular method to consume CBD Oil in the UK. They are small buds derived from the hemp plant, which can be vaped or smoked.
CBD flowers are rich in terpenes, flavonoids, and CBD. They contain high levels of CBD and extremely low levels of THC.
Fortune Flavours sells some of the best CBD flowers in the UK. They contain 28% CBD and only 0.11% THC, which is well within the UK legal requirements.
Smoking and vaping CBD flower
Smoking or vaping CBD flower enables a high level of CBD bioavailability and produces instantaneous relaxing effects. The CBD enters your bloodstream directly, bypassing the liver and digestive tract. Moreover, the terpenes in CBD flower have stress and social anxiety-reducing properties. Examples include myrcene and limonene.
You also have a wide variety of strains to choose from. Fortune Flavours Peach Cobbler CBD flower calms you with its peachy dessert smell and helps you relax.
Read our related blog on: Vaping vs. Smoking CBD Flower
How can CBD flower help anxiety?
Smoking or vaping CBD flower can alleviate anxiety in stressful situations, such as crowded spaces or before public speaking. It can help provide immediate relaxation before the event.
According to a study published in the Journal of Neurobiology, CBD effectively helped people with social anxiety disorder. Participants who took 600mg of Cannabidiol before public speaking exhibited fewer symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. This is compared to those who were given a placebo.
Read our related blog on: Benefits of Smoking & Vaping CBD
Key Takeaways
CBD flowers and oil are popular forms of CBD for anxiety. There is a growing body of anecdotal evidence in humans as well as animal studies that show CBD Oil to be effective in reducing anxiety disorder. However, more research is needed to see the long-term effects of CBD Oil for mental health.
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