Today, many people are including CBD oil as part of their treatment for anxiety. Not surprisingly, a large percentage of these people claim that it works wonders. However, this is not to say there are not some drawbacks.
Not to worry, we’ll catch you up on the advantages and disadvantages that come with using CBD oil for anxiety treatment in the following paragraphs.
But first, a quick detour.
Key Takeaways
- CBD oil may help if you’re dealing with anxiety.
- CBD oil is not a substitute for medical treatment for anxiety. Generally, it may be best to use CBD oil alongside your treatment.
- Consult your doctor before adding CBD oil to your treatment routine for anxiety.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a product that is obtained from cannabis and hemp plants. It is made by extracting oil from cannabis plants and then diluting it with carrier oils like hemp oil or coconut oil. You should note that although CBD oil also comes from cannabis, it is not a psychoactive compound like THC.
Instead, CBD is popularly known as a product that may possess several health benefits, including helping with anxiety and pain.
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How Does CBD Oil Work?
CBD oil is thought to work in the human body by interacting with the nervous system and affecting the body’s endocannabinoid system. How it affects the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may involve slowing down the breakdown of endocannabinoids, allowing more of them to be available for effective and efficient use within the body.
As a result, CBD is typically linked with reducing inflammation within the body, including in the joints and nervous system.
While much research is still on to determine the extent of CBD’s effect on the endocannabinoid system, current research reveals that the ECS regulates about 15 bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, sleep, motor control, and chronic pain. This automatically gives CBD a great deal of potential to provide health benefits within the human body system.
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How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety
CBD is becoming one of the most common treatments used by individuals in dealing with anxiety, and multiple studies have shown that it can be quite an effective cure.
For instance, participants with social anxiety disorder in a study were given CBD (400mg), and they all recorded a general reduction in their anxiety levels.
With this in mind, there are various ways that people can take CBD oil to deal with anxiety or for any other health benefit. They include:
- You can take CBD oil with tinctures where you just put a drop or two of the oil beneath your tongue, and from there, it enters your bloodstream.
- You can take CBD oil in the form of edibles like gummies or beverages. The only thing about taking CBD oil in those forms is that it may take a while to begin to feel the effects in your body, compared to tinctures.
- You can take CBD oil for anxiety in products like balm or rubs that directly penetrate your skin. Now, this method is typically used to soothe your muscles and joints and may not have a direct impact on your emotions or mind. However, as your joints and muscles relax, the rest of you also tends to calm down and feel less stress.
That said, here are some things you should note before using CBD oil for anxiety:
- Consult with your doctor before taking the oil. Your doctor is the best person to advise you about including CBD oil in your treatment for anxiety.
- Avoid low-quality products. Instead, buy from well-established brands that follow top manufacturing processes and have third-party lab testing certificates as well as great reviews.
- CBD oil is not a substitute for other forms of anxiety treatment and professional help.
- Ensure you get in good-quality sleep every day.
- Engage in physical activities and exercises.
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What are the Pros of Using CBD Oil for Anxiety?
Here are some perks to including CBD oil in your regimen for managing anxiety:
Easy to Use
CBD oil is easy to use with little or no effort other than buying the product and getting the proper dosage. You can easily consume the oil via tinctures or edibles purchased online. Furthermore, there are typically no special instructions to follow.
Non-psychoactive
Even though CBD is obtained from cannabis plants, just like THC, its fellow cannabinoid, CBD does not intoxicate users. This is a big deal because it means that you can use CBD oil without any fear that you could get “high” and lose focus or your ability to speak coherently.
Natural Alternative
CBD oil is extracted from naturally occurring plants which typically makes it safer and has fewer side effects than the usual medications used to treat anxiety.
Fewer Side Effects
Even though we mentioned that CBD is naturally occurring, this is no reason to assume there are no side effects. However, CBD generally has minimal side effects on the human body and has smaller ones compared to other forms of medications and pills for anxiety.
One very important one is that CBD is not described as addictive, unlike most other medications for anxiety.
Available Studies Show Positive Potential
Another significant benefit of using CBD oil for anxiety is that the science points to it being a great help. As stated above, the limited studies conducted tend towards CBD being effective in helping individuals manage anxiety.
Legal
The Farm Bill of 2018 made CBD from hemp plants legal on a federal level if they contain less than 0.3% THC.
Furthermore, notable institutions like the World Anti-Doping Agency and US Anti-Doping Agency have also removed CBD from their prohibited substances list. All these have made it generally accepted that CBD oil for anxiety might be legal. Note that there are a few exceptions.
Helps Supports Homeostasis
CBD oil can be a great help in helping the body remain stable when facing changes in the environment, thereby assisting individuals in dealing with anxiety during that period. This is possible because it affects the endocannabinoid system linked with homeostasis.
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What are the Cons of Using CBD Oil for Anxiety?
While there are several benefits you can enjoy when you use CBD oil, it is not without some drawbacks. Here are some of them:
Not Always Accessible
CBD oil may fast be becoming a household name when it comes to dealing with anxiety, but it is not always accessible because of certain restrictions in some states and regions.
Not FDA-Approved
The fact that CBD oil is not yet FDA-approved means that there is no standard or regulation for it yet. Therefore, many kinds of products are available with different volumes of CBD, and some may even be dangerous.
May Cause Minor Side Effects
As stated earlier, CBD is not without its side effects on the human body which can be unpleasant. Some side effects of CBD oil include:
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Reduced appetite
Not Covered by Insurance
CBD oil is not yet approved by the FDA and other health insurance companies, despite research pointing to its benefits for anxiety and other health issues. As a result, you will have to pay for products from your pocket, no matter how expensive.
The good news, however, is that this is predicted to change soon.
Relatively New to the Market
CBD oil is still a new product in the market and with no regulation. This means that the chances of finding contaminated and unhealthy products will still be high. Furthermore, its newness also means it is still available in limited supply.
Quality of Product Varies
As stated earlier, there are many different products in the market. Some are of the highest quality and are effective, but others are not. For a new buyer, this makes purchasing CBD without help dicey and unsafe. However, some tips can help you choose suitable products, and we list them below.
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How Long Does CBD Oil Take to Work for Anxiety?
There is no straightforward answer to this.
Instead, the quality of the oil, the dosage, the method of consumption, and body composition all combine to affect how long it will take for CBD to work in you. This means that the time frame is different for various people.
You should note, however, that taking CBD oil via tinctures or vaping usually causes faster effects than taking edibles. Overall, you can expect to see the impact of CBD oil between 15 minutes to two hours after you administer it.
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What to Know Before Buying CBD Oil
As stated earlier, there are different qualities of CBD oil out there. Therefore, here are some things to know and look out for before going ahead to buy CBD oil:
- The best products have gotten purity tests from third-party lab tests.
- Go through reviews on platforms like Reddit and Facebook to know what products are most effective.
- Look out for organic brands and products.
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Final Thoughts: Is CBD Oil for Anxiety Right for You?
Many medical experts agree that CBD shows a lot of potential in helping people deal with anxiety. However, it is not a magical cure for anxiety and should only be used under the direction of a medical professional — ideally your doctor.
Nevertheless, if the numbers are any indication, you have a lot to gain in including CBD oil in your fight against anxiety attacks.
Check out are top choices for CBD to help with stress:
