Living with an anxiety disorder can feel all-consuming. Prescription medications often come with a long list of adverse effects, leaving many people in search of natural ways to manage stress levels. CBD for anxiety is one alternative many people are intrigued by.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound commonly found in hemp plants. It’s believed to have positive effects on physical and mental health issues. This cannabinoid is typically well-tolerated, and its few potential adverse effects are usually mild and temporary.
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CBD is a compound found in a wide range of wellness products, from CBD oil to CBD gummies. Keep reading to learn more about how CBD oil may relieve anxiety and reduce stress.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is an active chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. It has shown potential in mitigating symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. Unlike THC, CBD is mostly non-psychoactive and has few or no adverse effects for most users. However, every person is different and should always exercise caution when trying CBD for anxiety.
Potential benefits of CBD
Some of the possible benefits of taking CBD oil or other CBD products include:
Anxiety and stress management
Clinical trials suggest CBD may be beneficial in treating anxiety. Even low CBD doses (under 75 mg of CBD per day) may be effective. One study indicates low doses—25 mg of CBD to 75 mg of CBD daily—can reduce stress and anxiety.
Another study demonstrates the potential of broad-spectrum and isolate CBD products to help users manage everyday stress.
Pain relief
In a peer-reviewed survey, most of the 253 study participants reported significant improvement in their chronic pain while taking CBD.
Topical CBD was well-tolerated by former athletes with chronic pain, according to a 2023 study.
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Neuroprotection
Early research suggests the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may provide neuroprotection against disorders like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
Types of anxiety disorders
Excessive anxiety that causes you to avoid certain situations and prevents you from functioning normally indicates a type of mental health condition known as an anxiety disorder. The following are some of the most common types of anxiety disorders:
Generalized anxiety disorder
Characterized by persistent worry about everyday things (e.g., work, school, appointments, etc.), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is often accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle tension, sleep problems, restlessness, and fatigue.
Panic disorder
Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by sudden, recurrent panic attacks whose symptoms—like rapid heart rate, chest pain, intense fear, and hot flashes—are so severe that they’re often mistaken for heart attacks. Panic attacks can occur in response to stressful situations or without an apparent cause.
Several studies demonstrate CBD’s potential to reduce symptoms of PD in humans and animal models.
Social anxiety disorder
Those with social anxiety disorder (SAD) worry about being embarrassed, looked down upon, or rejected in social situations, causing them to avoid social interactions or feel anxious in social settings.
In a recent study, a single dose of 600 mg of CBD oil reduced anxiety symptoms resulting from a simulated public speaking test in people with SAD.
How CBD works for stress relief and anxiety disorders
Research suggests CBD’s therapeutic effects on anxiety and depression result from its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system is a cell-signaling system responsible for modulating anxiety response and other cognitive and emotional processes.
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Anandamide—a natural endocannabinoid in the body—interacts with the ECS to regulate neurotransmitter release, influencing mood. Anandamide degradation in the brain by a particular enzyme may cause anxiety.
CBD interacts with the ECS to support anandamide. Although more research is needed, early evidence suggests CBD inhibits the release of the enzyme that breaks down anandamide, helping to maintain anandamide levels and potentially reduce stress and anxiety.
Potential side effects of CBD
According to a cross-sectional study, 70 percent of participants who took CBD oil to treat sleep problems, depressed mood, stress, or anxiety reported positive results, with only 11.2 percent of participants experiencing mild adverse effects.
Although uncommon, taking CBD products may cause the following adverse effects:
- Dry mouth and/or eyes
- Drowsiness
- Appetite changes
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
CBD may interact with medications, including certain blood thinners and depression medications.
If you have a chronic illness or are taking medications, you should speak to a healthcare professional before taking CBD products.
FAQ
Is CBD oil legal?
According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD oil is federally legal if it doesn’t exceed 0.3% THC based on dry weight. However, state laws may vary.
Is CDB oil addictive?
No, according to the World Health Organization, CBD oil doesn’t carry the potential for dependence or abuse.
What’s the difference between broad-spectrum CBD, full-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate?
Broad-spectrum CBD oil includes a range of cannabinoids, natural terpenes, essential oils, and trace amounts of THC. Full-spectrum CBD products contain all cannabis compounds and natural terpenes, including THC.
Since both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products contain multiple cannabinoids, they may offer synergistic health benefits known as the entourage effect.
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CBD products made with CBD isolate contain pure CBD oil (i.e., only CBD and no other cannabinoids). While isolate CBD products may relieve stress and have beneficial effects, they don’t produce an entourage effect like broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oil products.
Will CBD oil show up on drug tests?
CBD isolate should not show up on drug tests. Since THC is removed from broad-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD products are unlikely to cause a positive drug test. Products made with full-spectrum CBD oil contain small amounts of THC and may cause positive drug test results.
CBD for anxiety: final thoughts
If you’re seeking a natural method for anxiety relief, CBD products are worth considering. Infused with CBD oils, these products come in many forms and potencies.
CBD can be helpful on its own, but many users say it works even better with other cannabinoids. For an entourage effect, choose a CBD product featuring a broad-spectrum oil or full-spectrum CBD.
We recommend consulting a doctor first to determine how much CBD you should take and to ensure you can use CBD safely without the risk of drug interactions.