CBD and Anxiety: Could It Help?

You’ve probably heard about people using CBD to help with various conditions, including anxiety. CBD, or cannabidiol is a naturally-occurring chemical found in the cannabis plant, which encompasses marijuana and hemp. And in fact, some research indicates that CBD may actually help people deal with anxiety.

All broad spectrum CBD contains 0.3% or less THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the chemical compound in marijuana that produces the “high.” All legitimate vendors of CBD should make their testing, or legal certificate of analysis (COA), available to you in order to be sure the product you purchase is safe and within the legal limits of THC. You can find our certificates on the shop pages of our website. We are confident that our product will not get you high, but as this article explains, you could feel less anxious.

How Does CBD Work?

Researchers haven’t fully figured out how CBD works in the body. It’s thought to somehow interplay with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are found mostly within the central and peripheral nervous systems. In doing so, it may improve the body’s serotonin signals. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter known for its role in mental health.

What Does Research Say About CBD and Anxiety?

There are a good number of studies that indicate using CBD for anxiety might be beneficial.

For Generalized Anxiety

If you have anxiety, it may affect your level of comfort for speaking in public. In fact, a simulated public speaking test (SPST) is a common way to test people for anxiety. 

In 2011, researchers completed a small study of CBD and anxiety using this kind of test. They found that, compared to the placebo, CBD had a significant positive impact on anxiety and discomfort for people diagnosed with generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD). Using CBD, participants’ anxiety levels were actually comparable to those in the control group, who didn’t have SAD.

Two more studies of CBD and general anxiety were done in 2019. The first compared doses of CBD (150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg) with a placebo in men during an SPST, the same test mentioned above. Compared to the placebo group, the men taking the 300 mg dose of CBD had significantly less anxiety during the speech. However, the men taking the 150 mg and 600 mg doses didn’t get the same effect. This result may seem strange, but it demonstrates the importance of appropriate dosing, and that more CBD doesn’t always mean better results.

The second 2019 study tested lower doses of CBD, either 25 mg, 50 mg, or 75 mg per day. Researchers wanted to see if lower doses would still be effective, since it would save the participants money if they were to continue CBD in their daily lives after the study. Within the first month, most participants saw decreased anxiety. Participants' quality of sleep also improved but fluctuated somewhat. Only three of the participants reported any side effects.

For Anxiety-Related Conditions

Other studies on CBD have found that people with various mental health-related symptoms saw big improvements in their depression and anxiety, and were more successful at completing their daily activities.

Another small study concluded that people under routine psychiatric care who consumed CBD orally had decreased symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

While these studies don’t represent iron-clad proof that taking CBD oil will help you or any other specific individual with anxiety or related conditions, they are encouraging. And the fact that CBD is generally recognized as safe, even in high doses, means that you can probably feel good about trying it to see if it makes you feel better.

How Much CBD Should I Take?

There is no one perfect dose that’s right for everyone. However, our CBD Oil serving size is 1 ml (one dropper), with 30 servings per bottle. 

 

As with most supplements, it’s a good idea to begin with a smaller dose and adjust it from there. Incrementally increase your dose until you get the effect you want, and then you can even back your dosage down a bit to see if the results remain. This will help you figure out what works best for you without overdoing it.

 

First and foremost, follow the label instructions on the label and take note of how you feel before making any personal adjustments.

Does CBD Have Side Effects?

CBD oil has very few known negative side effects. Those that have been revealed would probably be considered pretty minor by most people. They include:

• Appetite changes
• Weight fluctuations
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

 

Not a very long list! Of course, only some people will experience any side effects at all, and the severity will vary from person to person.

A 2019 study conducted on mice did raise some concerns about potential liver damage with CBD and how it interacts with a handful of medications. Like grapefruit, CBD is known to interact with enzymes that play a role in how medications are metabolized. If you’re currently taking medications, particularly blood thinners with a warning about grapefruit, talk to your doctor about using CBD before you try it.

Be Careful About Your Source

The sheer number of CBD products available these days makes it important to do your homework about what you’re getting. Here are some things to consider before choosing a CBD product.

• Is it strong?
  A lot of CBD brands include only small amounts of real CBD -- as little as 3 mg. Since CBD has been proven safe even in high doses, why not get a stronger formula? Then you have the option of reducing your dose depending on how your body reacts, instead of having to take more of a weaker formula. Our CBD oil is many times stronger than many other brands.

• Is it lab verified?
  The best CBD oil should offer verified proof that their label is accurate and the product is pure. Mislabeling is actually a big problem in the CBD industry. In one study, 70% of the products tested claimed inaccurate amounts of CBD (either too much or too little). We use strict 3rd party testing so you know exactly what you’re getting.
  
  
• Is it legal?
  CBD products are legal to purchase online or over the counter in nearly every US state. So as long as it’s labeled correctly, you probably don’t have to worry about legality. 

Summing Up

Whether you’re looking for help with diagnosed anxiety or just seeking a little more calm in your life, it makes sense to look for a CBD oil you can trust. Visit our shop page to learn more about why we’re so proud of our product.