How Does CBD Oil Help For Anxiety?

Everyone has experienced some kind of anxiety in their life. But, for some, that sick, nervous feeling is an all too regular occurrence.

That tightness in your chest. The pit in your stomach. The racing heartbeat and worried thoughts.

For people with chronic anxiety issues, medication might seem like the only option.

But, there’s actually a more natural way to relieve anxiety. With CBD oil, you can manage it without habit-forming prescriptions.

Unlike cannabis containing THC, CBD oil doesn’t make you high. That way, you can use it daily without it interfering with work or other responsibilities.

Curious about how it works and how to take it? Read on to learn more about CBD oil for anxiety.

What is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound found in cannabis plants.

CBD is classified as a cannabinoid. Cannabis is made up of over a hundred different types of cannabinoids. Another cannabinoid you might have heard of is THC.

The difference between THC and CBD is that THC has psychoactive properties. CBD does not. The THC is how traditional pot gets a person high.

In CBD oil, the CBD is highly concentrated. Usually, there is either a low or no concentration of THC in it.

The CBD oil still produces the benefits of pot, like relaxation or pain relief, without getting you high.

How CBD Oil May Help Anxiety

The brain has tiny proteins attached to particular sites on cells called receptors. There is a brain receptor called CB1 that is said to have a reaction to cannabis oil.

Cannabis oil is a stimulus that causes the CB1 receptor to signal the brain to produce more serotonin.

Serotonin is a hormone that affects your mood and sleep. People who suffer from anxiety or depression have lower levels of serotonin. These patients are often prescribed medication that makes their body produce more of the hormone.

You should talk to your doctor before substituting your medication with CBD oil. Replacing medication with CBD oil might not be right for everyone.

But, for many, it can be a great alternative to taking unnatural medication.

Anxiety and depression pills have many side effects. They can also interfere with other medications causing complications.

There are minimal side effects with CBD oil. Plus, you can safely take it with other medications you’re already on.

More and more research is being done on CBD to back up these findings.

Research on CBD Oil for Anxiety Treatment

In one study, researchers gave patients a placebo drug for anxiety. After, they took brain scans to see the minimal results.

Later, researchers gave the patients an oral dose of CBD. They reported that they felt significantly less anxious. Their brain scans supported this finding.

There has also been research on how CBD affects pediatric anxiety and insomnia. Researchers found it improved the stress levels of children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

There’s enough evidence to convince you to try CBD oil for anxiety. So how do you take it and when?

Servings, and When to Take It

The right serving of CBD oil for anxiety will vary from person to person. A 6 foot tall, 300-pound man might need a higher serving size than a petite person. However, this is not always the case.

Generally, a serving size will range from 2mg all the way up to 600mg, or more. That’s a pretty wide spectrum! That’s why you have to experiment over time to see what’s right for you.

Start with a low serving, especially if you’ve never used CBD before. Wait and see if you notice any effects.

You can try increasing your serving, and keep with that serving for a week or so. You might notice that over a little time the amount your taking is showing effects.

As for when to take it, you can use it daily to maintain healthy anxiety levels before it starts. If you don’t want to take it every day, you can use it when symptoms appear. You can also preemptively take it if you know that you have a stressful day ahead of you.

CBD doesn’t just come in an oil. There are other ways to take it, and you can experiment to see what’s right for you.

Other Ways to Take CBD

You can take CBD oil orally with the dropper that it generally comes with.

There’s also CBD capsules with the oil inside. This makes it easy to know exactly what amount you’re taking.

If you want a delicious little treat, you can try CBD edibles. Like THC edibles found in medical cannabis dispensaries, CBD edibles can come in the form of gummies, chocolate, chewing gum, and many other variations.

For those who like the experience of vaping, CBD can be consumed that way as well.

Though not as effective for anxiety relief, CBD can be applied topically. There are balms, body oils, and lotions. This can help those with pain relief or sore muscles.

No matter which way you take, CBD is perfectly legal.

Is it Legal?

CBD oil on its own is legal in all 50 states. You don’t need any kind of prescription to get it or to take it.

There are some CBD oils that you do need a prescription for unless you buy it in a state where marijuana is legal. That’s because some CBD oils can be mixed with a high percentage of THC. They don’t get you as high, but it’s still enough where it’s regulated.

For those products, you would have to buy them through a dispensary.

Where to Get CBD Products

With the stigma of cannabis beginning to lessen, it’s easier than ever to find CBD products. Usually, the best place to find them is online.

If you want to try using CBD oil for anxiety, check out these products here. There are oils, vapes, edibles/gummies, and even dog treats for anxious pets!