CBD For Anxiety — Could CBD Settle Your Nerves?

Stress is all around us. According to recent statistics, at least 40 million Americans are now struggling with an anxiety disorder. But even if you aren’t diagnosed with a condition like PTSD, there’s a good chance you could use a little extra stress relief nowadays.

Although plenty of prescription anxiolytics are now available, many customers are interested in exploring all-natural anxiety remedies. Arguably, CBD oil has been the most popular anti-stress supplement in recent years. Along with pain relief, stress reduction is the top reason people try CBD for the first time.

Although CBD isn’t a replacement for professional psychological counseling, it may be an excellent adjunct therapy for anxiety patients. People who are interested in naturally taming mental tension should consider giving hemp CBD a try.

Does CBD Work For Anxiety Conditions?

Research into CBD may be limited, but there’s a growing body of evidence that CBD can help people “chill out.” Indeed, two clinical studies suggest CBD oil could help people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Researchers in Japan and Brazil gave either CBD or a placebo to SAD patients. At the end of these trials, the participants who took CBD had fewer anxiety symptoms than those who swallowed sugar pills.

Another study out of Colorado examined CBD’s effect on over 70 adults with anxiety disorders. After about one month, over 70 percent of these study participants reported decreased stress, and about 66 percent said they slept better.

Even Harvard Medical School recently said CBD may be a “non-toxic option for managing anxiety.” However, Harvard researchers caution we still need more data to confirm CBD’s effects on conditions like generalized anxiety, SAD, and PTSD.

How Does CBD Soothe Anxiety Symptoms?

It’s clear CBD has some effect on anxiety, but nobody’s sure how CBD works for this condition. However, since CBD influences the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), most doctors believe the ECS has something to do with our anxiety response.

For those who aren’t aware, the ECS is a natural part of mammal physiology that helps the body maintain a sense of balance. Interestingly, our body naturally produces cannabinoids (aka endocannabinoids) that help manage our mood, digestion, and sleep patterns. To date, cannabis is the only known plant with cannabinoids that mimic our endocannabinoids.

Unlike the federally-illegal cannabinoid THC, CBD doesn’t land directly on our brain’s CB1 receptors. Instead, recent research suggests CBD helps influence the production of “feel-good” chemicals like anandamide and serotonin—both of which seem to play a role in stress reduction.

It’s also possible that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may dampen the body’s stress response. There’s a strong correlation between emotional stress and physical pain. In fact, recent trials found that anxiety patients who took ibuprofen experienced greater mental health. So, if CBD helps patients manage physical pain, it may also influence their perceived anxiety.

Won’t CBD Oil Just Make People Feel “Stoned?”

It’s easy for new customers to get CBD hemp confused with THC marijuana. Since both of these plants were lumped together in the Controlled Substances Act, it’s understandable why people believe CBD’s effects are similar to the “high” in most marijuana strains.

However, as hinted above, CBD doesn’t land directly on our brain’s cannabinoid receptors. In fact, researchers consider CBD to be a non-intoxicating substance. THC, on the other hand, is intoxicating.

When the 2018 US Farm Bill legalized hemp products, it required all manufacturers to test these derivatives for THC exposure. Any product with ≤ 0.3 percent THC is technically illegal under the current federal statutes.

Even with these low traces of THC, CBD oils won’t have significant psychoactive properties. Instead, most people who take CBD for anxiety report a subtle sense of calm that doesn’t interfere with productivity or focus.

Always double-check your preferred CBD products have third-party lab screenings that prove there’s less than 0.3 percent THC. Some states with recreational cannabis laws may sell marijuana-extracted CBD with higher-than-average THC percentages. You must ensure THC levels are below the federal threshold if you want to avoid the risks of feeling “high.”

Will CBD Make Anxiety Patients Feel Sleepy?

There’s a lot of debate over CBD’s effect on sleep quality. Some researchers believe CBD may directly influence our circadian rhythm, while others claim CBD’s anti-anxiety effects help people go to sleep.

Since CBD affects everyone differently, it’s impossible to say whether CBD will make you feel tired. The amount of CBD a person takes may also correlate with its sedative properties. Anecdotally, some customers claim higher doses of CBD have a greater chance of inducing fatigue.

However, it’s not a good idea to take high doses of CBD if you’re new to this supplement. Elevated amounts of CBD could trigger adverse side effects like diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rashes. It’s better to start with low doses of high-quality hemp CBD and gradually increase until you find a level that works for you.

People who are most interested in using CBD for sleep should investigate melatonin-enriched hemp products. YesKana now offers plenty of sleep-focused CBD extracts with all-natural secondary ingredients. You can find out more about our sleep CBD product line on this link.

If you’d like to learn about the latest research into CBD for sleep, you’ve got to check out this previous YesKana blog post.

How Should People Take CBD For Anxiety?

Finding the perfect way to use CBD for anxiety depends on your preferences and health goals. Every CBD item has benefits and tradeoffs, and you may find different products work best for various conditions or at different times of the day.

For instance, CBD gummies have the most subtle effects and are easy to sneak into a lunch bag. People who are interested in microdosing CBD at work may enjoy CBD gummies’ discretion and lower intensity.

By contrast, CBD tinctures are potent, versatile, and easy to dose. While it’s not discreet to put a dropperful of CBD extract under your tongue, you will feel the effects of this cannabinoid way faster than a capsule or gummy.

Arguably, CBD vape juices are the most direct way to feel CBD’s effects. When you inhale an e-juice, all of those CBD molecules will go straight into your bloodstream via your lungs. While this is fantastic for people who want intense and immediate effects, vaping CBD is not a discreet option.

Whatever CBD method you feel works for your lifestyle, you should start with the lowest recommended dose and track how much CBD you take per day. Write down how each CBD product makes you feel, and stop if you notice any adverse reactions. Only increase by about 5 - 10 mg per day until you achieve the effects you’re looking for.

Say “Goodbye” To Stress With YesKana’s CBD

Finding the best CBD for anxiety can be pretty stressful. New customers often can’t distinguish between a reputable CBD oil and a deceptively labeled snake oil. To take the strain out of picking a CBD product, YesKana has partnered with only the absolute best CBD manufacturers. Customers can feel comfortable knowing every CBD item on our site has third-party lab results verifying its exceptional purity.

Please take your time exploring our CBD capsules, edibles, tinctures, and vape juices. However you like to use CBD for anxiety, we bet you’ll find a few products that’ll keep you calm.