You can feel the overwhelming stress and familiar sensation starting. Maybe your breathing gets shallow and short, or maybe you break out into a sweat. Perhaps your skin begins to tingle, or your belly starts to jump, or you get irritable and impatient. You know this is anxiety because you’ve likely felt it before on many different occasions. Anxiety, no matter which symptoms you experience, can be a debilitating condition that interferes with your everyday life.
Anxiety can be approached with nutrition, lifestyle, and therapies, as a holistic way to calm and center yourself before, during, or after an anxiety episode. Here’s what you need to know.
HOW DOES CBD OIL WORK?
Cannabidiol, more commonly referred to as CBD, works on receptors in your nervous system throughout your brain and gut. This indirectly supports the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in our brain that regulate mood and emotions.
Even though CBD is derived from the cannabis sativa plant it does not present the intoxicating effects made famous by the THC version of cannabis (often referred to as marijuana) which is why CBD is now legal in all 50 states in the U.S.
Of all of the research studies we discuss, one of the most promising aspects when supplementing with CBD is an exceedingly low, nearing impossible chance for addiction or dependence. Consider this quote from a report by the World Health Organization:
“In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential….To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
For those who suffer from anxiety, the opportunity to utilize an alternative with very few possible side effects, no possibility of dependence, and research-tested benefits can change their life. This is especially true compared with traditional pharmaceutical treatment of anxiety that brings with them a host of side effects and potential interactions that are not present with CBD.
So, how does CBD for anxiety actually help? While research is still needed, there are some preliminary small-scale studies that are pointing to its many benefits for anxiety and related symptoms.
1. SLEEP ISSUES
A 2019 research study found that CBD caused a rapid decrease in anxiety scores and may also help in lower doses than previously tested. Researchers noted that:
“Anxiety scores decreased within the first month in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained decreased during the study duration. Sleep scores improved within the first month in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated over time. In this chart review, CBD was well tolerated in all but 3 patients.”
2. PTSD SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING ANXIETY
Post-traumatic stress disorder comes with a wide variety of symptoms, including anxiety and hypervigilance.
In a 2018 study, researchers found that the entourage effect of full-spectrum CBD oil helped sufferers reduce their traumatic memory of an event. The anxiety and other symptoms surrounding this memory was also significantly reduced.
3. THE SPECTRUM OF ANXIETY
Whether your anxiety is generalized, stress-induced, or related to social or lack of social interactions, a review of studies found CBD provided a bell-curve of relief from symptoms.
4. BINDS TO SEROTONIN RECEPTORS
Recent studies have found that CBD binds to as many as 65 receptors in the brain. One of these is the serotonin receptor, which explains its effectiveness in relieving anxiety.
HOW TO USE CBD OIL
The market for CBD oil has expanded exponentially since it was made legal in the 2018 Farm Bill. While it’s great to have so many options, this can make finding the best product for you challenging.
First, look for a full-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD oil is extracted from the flowers and leaves of the plant. The flowers and leaves are covered with sticky resin full of medicinal compounds that include flavonoids and terpenes. These compounds work together in the entourage effect, with each enhancing the benefits of the other. You can learn more about full-spectrum vs broad or isolate oils here.
Further, some hemp seed oil products market themselves interchangeably with CBD, but hemp seed oil is much different. These products only extract oil from the less potent seeds of the cannabis sativa plant. When deciding between CBD and hemp oil, CBD hemp oil will offer more potential benefits. We have a guide about their differences here.
Next, CBD oil is available in a variety of forms. Tinctures are available in either one or two ounce bottles and you can choose from a natural taste or mint flavored. These are taken under the tongue (some use a dropper, and some use a spray) for quick absorption and faster relief (between 15 and 30 minutes).
Find a form of CBD oil that is easy for you to take in your daily routine or as needed.
CBD OIL AND SERVING SIZES
Because everyone’s bodily chemistry is so different, there is no one-size-fits all dose when it comes to CBD oil. The best way to determine the proper serving is to “start low and go slow.” Take a lower serving of a CBD tincture, or try CBD gelcaps for anxiety, then pay attention to how you feel for a few hours. It may be that a lower serving of CBD is enough to allow you to bring other tools for anxiety into play (e.g., slow breathing or a walk-in nature), or you may need a higher serving for more urgent or severe situations.
As always, talk to your doctor about your options before getting started with CBD. It is also important to note that although it contains only trace amounts of THC, it may show up on a drug test.
HOW CAN I FIND THE BEST CBD OIL?
Ultimately, the best way to decide which type of CBD oil works best for you is to find a high-quality producer who creates the highest-quality product you can buy. As noted above, selecting a full-spectrum CBD oil brings all the benefits of the plant to you, but it all starts with the genetics, growing environment and extraction process.
At Seed2System, we worked with High Grade Hemp Seed to develop organic seeds that we follow all the way from planting in the ground until the product arrives in your hand (that’s why we chose the name Seed2System). The result? A light, clean, nutty-tasting CBD oil that has no additives, no preservatives, no fillers, and no artificial flavors.
If you are looking for a full-spectrum, carefully-crafted CBD oil but can’t decide which might work best for you, get in touch today. We can help you learn more about our different products.
