How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety?

12 May How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety?

Does crippling thoughts and uneasiness keep you up all night? Did you know that over 40 million adults suffer from anxiety in the US? And about 9.9% of Veterans suffer from anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Now that you know it’s pretty common in the states, what do you do about it? The first thing to come to mind is medication. Relying on contemporary medicines might help you get a goodnight’s sleep, but not in a natural way. You’ll be addicted to the meds, and even worse, you would have to endure the daunting side effects. The next thing to treat anxiety can be therapy and getting psychological assistance from a trained professional. Yes, that helps. But, to get even better, you can try something new in the market.

In this case, CBD, short for cannabidiol, might be the right relief for you. Read on to find out how CBD oil for anxiety can help manage your symptoms and give you a break from feeling sedated all the time.

Related Article: How CBD Oil Can Help Veterans: Benefits and Uses You Need to Know

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a compound extracted from the cannabis Sativa plant. Yes, it’s the plant that can get you high. However, unlike its sister cousin, marijuana, CBD is non-intoxicating.

Meaning you can’t get high with CBD. This is possible because CBD is usually low in THC content. Like marijuana and CBD, THC is another compound extracted from the plant and is known to have intoxicating effects.

For starters, marijuana is high in THC, which is why you get high when you smoke it. However, the right CBD product always contains less than 0.3% THC, making the product non-intoxicating.

What Is CBD Oil Made From?

Mixing cannabidiol with a carrier oil like MCT coconut oil or hemp oil makes CBD oil. In most cases, hemp oil is generally mixed with CBD extracts, making the product more potent.

In addition to this, the compound delivers significant benefits like anti-anxiety, anti-pain, anti-acne, anti-inflammation, etc.

Related Article: 2022 Active Military CBD Policy

What Is Hemp Oil?

Like CBD, hemp too, is extracted from the marijuana plant and is mainly utilized for industrial or medical use. Moreover, both hemp and CBD are non-intoxicating.

You would find hemp, hemp extract, or hemp oil as the main ingredient of CBD oil. Besides this, other components might be added to enhance taste and fragrance.

How CBD Works

The CBD present in CBD oils is known to react with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

ECS is a broad network of neurotransmitters that regulates and balances vital body functions and plays an integral role in psychological conditions like sleep, appetite control, energy balance, and mood.

ECS regulates sleeping patterns, mood, and appetite. CBD oil for anxiety reacts with the receptors of this system and increases its efficiency. This helps you relax and improves your mood.

According to recent studies, CBD sometimes reacts with the system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors.

CBD oil can be used to manage the following conditions-

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• PTSD
• Schizophrenia
• Neurological pain
• Joint pain/muscle stiffness
• Alzheimer’s
• Arthritis
• Acne
• Redness
• Multiple sclerosis

CBD Oil for Anxiety

Ever wonder how to use CBD oil for Anxiety? THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound abundantly present in marijuana, decreases anxiety at a lower dose and increases it when the dosage goes up. However, in the case of CBD, it’s not the same.

According to recent studies, CBD decreases anxiety when consumed at a lower dosage and does not cause any effects even if the dosage increases.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), CBD is known to reduce some anxiety symptoms, including increased heartbeat, restless thoughts, chest pain, and restlessness. It also decreases the cognitive effects of anxiety like lack of concentration and intrusive thoughts.

While the research related to the effect of CBD on humans with generalized anxiety disorder is still in its early phase, it’s clear that the compound reacts with the endocannabinoid system and helps you manage the chronic condition significantly.

Social Anxiety Disorder

In the case of people suffering from social anxiety disorder, 400 mg of CBD helps you experience reduced overall anxiety symptoms compared to a placebo.

Moreover, consuming CBD regularly can make you feel calm and composed, thus, increasing your confidence in a social setting. It also improves your sleeping patterns and helps you manage symptoms like insomnia.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Characterized by recurring flashbacks of a traumatic event, PTSD causes severe anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares.

Multiple studies have concluded that regular consumption of CBD can work as a PTSD treatment and help you manage terrifying PTSD symptoms like negative memories and traumatic flashbacks. Moreover, taking CBD alongside cognitive therapy can help you reduce PTSD symptoms at a greater level.

CBD Oil Dosage for Anxiety

Now that you know that CBD can do wonders for your health and help you manage anxiety, the question is how to take cbd oil and how much you should take.

There is no one-size-fits-all dosage when it comes to CBD oil. There are about a million types of cannabidiol-infused oils in the market, offering different potency levels. So, if we talk about dosage, it truly depends upon what kind of product you are looking for.

If you search for strong doses, you can try full-spectrum CBD oil. However, if consuming the purest form of CBD is on your mind, try using CBD concentrates or isolates.

How Much Should I Take?

Always start with the smallest dosage. Start with the lowest dosage possible if you are new to CBD and want to see what the hype is all about. See how your body reacts and gradually increase your dosage if required.

You can start with 2mg-5mg as your first dose. You can consume CBD oil however you want. You can keep it under your tongue for 30 seconds and consume it sublingually or mix it with your smoothie bowl. You can also drizzle it over your salads or bake some CBD brownies/cakes if you want to try something new.

However, you must note that the oil is usually edible only. You can not add it to your vapes or apply it over your skin.

Related Article: What is CBD Oil? A Guide for Veterans

CBD Side Effects

Another upper hand CBD has over marijuana is that it does not have any side effects. You can feel relaxed without worrying about a bad trip.

CBD has no-to-low side effects. Even if consumed in vast quantities, the most you could get would be diarrhea, drowsiness, reduced appetite, or dry mouth.

In addition to this, there is no chance you could overdose on it. Because the right CBD product always has less than 0.3% THC, it is safe for consumption, even in vast quantities.

Where to Buy CBD Oil?

You can find CBD in your nearby stores, gas stations, drug store, or confectionaries. However, the best and safest way to purchase CBD is online.

When buying CBD oil online, make sure the brand is highly rated and sells only organic, 100% vegan products made with non-GMO ingredients. You can also look for cruelty-free products.

Is CBD Oil for Anxiety Right for You?

If you are looking for an all-natural relief from those crippling thoughts and restless nights, then yes. CBD is suitable for you. While shopping for CBD, make sure that the product comes with a Certificate of Analysis and has less than 0.3% THC.