CBD oils and anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition worldwide—but that doesn’t make them any easier to live with!
For those of us with anxiety, it can seem like safe, reliable ways of managing symptoms don’t exist. Solutions such as breathing techniques can be hit or miss, and prescription medications such as Xanax, Prozac, or Valium come with unwanted risks of side effects and addiction.
CBD oil for anxiety is a new, natural treatment for anxiety disorders that is fast becoming one of the most popular supplements on the market.
Researchers and the general public are finding that CBD can be used to help manage generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and other common anxiety conditions.
Here’s our guide to using CBD oil for anxiety, including the science of CBD oil, how to use CBD for anxiety-related disorders, and the best CBD oils for reducing anxiety symptoms.
Does CBD really work for anxiety?
The science
CBD oils stimulate a part of the body called the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for managing the release of hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals that help the body maintain an internal balance.
Many people with anxiety experience an imbalance in these signaling molecules, particularly serotonin, a hormone that’s critical for stabilizing our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness
By supplementing regularly with CBD oil, it’s possible to enhance the body’s natural ability to create and maintain serotonin levels, reducing symptoms of panic and depression, and increasing a person’s ability to manage anxiety.
Does CBD oil help with panic disorder?
Although research into CBD and its capabilities are still in the early stages, there’s lots of evidence pointing towards CBD as a viable treatment for panic disorders.
Daily CBD daily supplementation is likely to reduce the frequency and intensity of panic disorders by helping to lower general levels of stress and inflammation.
Does CBD oil help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
The body’s endocannabinoid system plays a key role in regulating responses to stress and panic. Because CBD interacts directly with the endocannabinoid system, researchers believe that CBD can play a beneficial role in helping those suffering from PTSD and the anxiety that comes with it.
Does CBD oil help with social anxiety disorder?
Small clinical studies are emerging that show CBD’s ability to increase feelings of confidence during social situations such as public speaking and networking (as self-reported by study participants).
These results suggest that CBD’s anti-anxiety effects extend to social disorders.
Does CBD oil help with chronic stress?
Millions of global consumers claim that CBD helps to relax the mind, elevate mood, and help regulate their mental health, so it’s clear it can be a potent tool when dealing with anxiety-related and long-term stress.
What is the best CBD oil for anxiety? Honest Botanicals Hemp CBD Oil
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CBD Oil – No THC – Honest Botanicals
$26.99 – $149.99 Select options -
Full Spectrum CBD Oil – Honest Botanicals
$29.99 – $169.99 Select options
These isolate and full spectrum CBD oils made in beautiful British Columbia by Honest Botanicals use premium Canadian hemp to help lower inflammation and anxiety.
CBD oils are made in three varieties: isolate CBD oils contain only CBD, while broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD oils contain extra beneficial compounds from the cannabis plant, such as small amounts of THC.
All types of CBD have anti-inflammatory, and therefore anti-anxiety, properties. We generally recommend the Honest Botanicals full spectrum option for most people. However, if you’re somebody who’s particularly sensitive to THC, try the Honest Botanicals isolate version for a pure CBD option.
- Both Honest Botanicals CBD Oils come in multiple sizes to help ensure value for money, whatever your usage needs. Choose from 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, and 2500 mg sizes.
- All reputable CBD companies, Honest Botanicals included, submit their CBD extracts for independent testing. Check out the Lab Results for Honest Botanicals CBD to see exactly what goes into every bottle.
Honest Botanicals CBD: Customer reviews related to “anxiety”
“The oil is good quality. I only have had it for 2 weeks but me and my mother both have lower anxiety. I’m hopeful that over time it will help her memory and mind…”
“Decided to try full spectrum after using isolate for a few months. Turns out I’m super sensitive to THC as while the isolate resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety it returned full force after trying the full spectrum. Went back to isolate and the anxiety is reduced again.”
Find out more about Honest Botanicals CBD oil here >
Can CBD oil make your anxiety worse?
Nothing about CBD oil itself is likely to increase anxiety—in fact, studies suggest that CBD products are well tolerated by humans and animals, even at high doses.
Other cannabis compounds, particularly THC, are known to produce feelings of paranoia or panic in some users. So it’s important to check the details of your chosen cannabis product carefully to find out if it’s right for you.
Full spectrum CBD oils often contain very small amounts of THC, but at levels far below those need to create psychoactive effects.
Will CBD oil help my dog’s anxiety?
Because dogs also have an endocannabinoid system, CBD affects them in highly similar ways. As a result, CBD oils for dogs are helping pups across the country with canine anxiety and other inflammatory issues. Many owners have seen dramatic success from using pet CBD products in combination with new training techniques.
CBD for Anxiety FAQ
Should I use CBD isolate (no THC) or full spectrum CBD (contains some THC)?
We usually recommend whole plant (full spectrum) CBD oils to help with anxiety, as these oils contain a greater variety of beneficial cannabis compounds.
With a full spectrum CBD oil, it is also easier to find the dose that works for you, meaning a higher likelihood of success compared to CBD isolate (zero THC).
On the other hand, the lack of THC in CBD isolates makes them a good choice for people who need to pass certain drug tests or have personal reasons for avoiding other cannabis compounds.
Isolate CBD still has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and anti-anxiety properties, but is also known for its tendency to be harder to pinpoint the dose that works for you.
How long until I should expect results?
Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, CBD needs to build up in your system to be effective and requires daily supplementation over a period of weeks.
For some people, this can take up to 6 weeks, however, most people see results within 2 weeks. Others may notice the effects shortly after beginning their CBD routine.
Many factors contribute to the length of time it takes to start seeing results from CBD. How it’s administered, potency, quality, and your body’s rate of metabolizing the oil will all play a role.
The best way to administer cannabidiol oil is sublingually, or under the tongue, using a full-spectrum CBD tincture. The rate of absorption is greater and the CBD will enter your bloodstream quickly, bypassing your digestive system.
When shopping for CBD, you want to be getting the highest quality oil you can, and the best way to do that is to ask the company for their third-party lab test results. Any reputable company will be more than happy to share these with you, and if they don’t, you know they’re not the right fit for you.
How much CBD oil should I take for anxiety?
We usually recommend starting with a 500 mg oil —a good starting point as you experiment and discover what dose works for you. Once you find the right dose, you can buy a stronger or weaker concentration accordingly.
Finding the right dosage of full-spectrum CBD oil usually involves experimentation. If you have been taking the same dose for one week and feel no improvement in your anxiety, consider slowly raise your dosage.
After increasing the amount of CBD you’re taking, always wait a few days to observe for any changes before upping the amount again.
What are the side effects of CBD oil?
CBD products have few reported side effects, and are generally considered much safer than traditional anxiety medications.
People who have experienced negative effects from taking CBD report diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in appetite. CBD can also interfere with blood pressure medication, so it’s important to talk with your doctor before beginning any CBD regimen.
Can I still drive while taking CBD oil?
Because CBD is non-psychoactive, it is considered safe for use when going about daily life and performing normal activities—driving included.
We recommend taking your first doses of CBD in the evening, in case of drowsiness or other side effects. If using a full spectrum CBD product, keep in mind that the small amounts of THC contained inside may have a slight effect on people particularly sensitive to cannabis.
Will it make me sleepy all day if I take CBD oil in the morning?
Most people will feel no effects from taking CBD products—even in high doses.
That said, there have been cases where people do feel fatigued from taking CBD, especially in newcomers to cannabis. If you notice feelings of drowsiness after taking a full spectrum product, you might want to try CBD isolates, which contains a narrower range of cannabis compounds.
How does CBD oil compare with other anxiety medications?
Most prescription anxiety medications are fast-acting and produce a noticeable change in consciousness.
CBD may only begin to take effect after several weeks of supplementation and is unlikely to cause any change in conscious experience.
Many medical professionals argue that the soothing or euphoric effects of some anxiety meds increase the risk of addiction—a risk that’s not a factor with CBD products.
How will CBD interact with my other anxiety medication?
Negative interactions between CBD products and Xanax or Ativan are possible, so speak with your doctor before beginning CBD supplementation. The chances of serious negative effects are rare, but a lack of solid research in this area means it’s important to proceed with caution.
What CBD format is best for managing anxiety disorders?
We recommend CBD tinctures containing a full spectrum hemp extract. Simply drop the oil under your tongue and hold it there for 30-60 seconds. Sublingual consumption in an oil format helps maximize the amount of CBD that’s absorbed into the bloodstream is, as most of the CBD will bypass the digestive system.
What is a CBD extraction method?
To turn hemp plants into CBD oil tinctures, producers need to extract cannabis compounds from the plant’s flowers. This requires the use of a solvent. Popular solvents to extract CBD include oils and alcohols, however, most modern-day CBD brands prefer to use CO2 to remove cannabis compounds. CO2 is food-safe and non-toxic, making it one of the safest and most accurate extraction methods around.
What are CBD lab results?
All reputable companies send their CBD oil products for testing by independent labs. These laboratories produce official results that show exactly what’s inside a CBD product, as well as how pure and potent the CBD is.
All CBD products sold by CBD Oil Canada have accessible third-party lab results.
More information on CBD oil and anxiety
How do I choose the right CBD oil for anxiety?
There are many important factors involved in finding the right CBD oil. There are several factors we take into consideration when selecting the perfect supplements for our store.
We review thousands of consumer testimonials from brands, websites, and social media, including blogs, Facebook, and other open forum websites like Reddit.
We also analyze the transparency of brands when it comes to their production processes. We review how hemp is processed, how hemp is cultivated, and the brands’ general manufacturing processes. We feel pleased to announce that we’ve tested dozens of Canadian brand names.
Why are people taking CBD products for anxiety disorders?
Cannabidiol (CBD) was approved for legal sale in 2018 and given the green light as a medical drug by FDA for certain treatments soon after.
In recent years, it has become marketed as a safe and effective natural therapy and the treatment of anxious disorders.
Few large-scale studies have investigated CBD dosing, but evidence from smaller human trials supports an anxiolytic capacity of CBD. Recommendations are currently limited, however, due to a lack of consensus on dosing.
In general, current research suggests the CBD has significant potential to help with all inflammatory disorders, anxiety included. New and upcoming studies are also focusing on the use of CBD to help patients with opioid addictions.
Is CBD oil better than conventional anxiety medicine?
CBD does not cure diseases and should not be regarded as a replacement for prescription drugs or your current care regimen. Always work with your medical provider when determining any potential treatment conflicts.
For mental health issues and daily wellbeing, however, CBD helps to reduce the painful emotions associated with anxiety, while continuing to let your mind relax. Public opinion suggests that CBD is worth trying for many people with anxiety.
CBD has become more popular among people who love cannabis and other natural supplement products because it helps create a more calm mood and help people calm down particularly during stressful situations.
How is CBD different from other meds for anxiety?
CBD has no addictive metabolites or properties and does not cause dependence. CBD is not intoxicating and users won’t become highly intoxicated. This is because CBD doesn’t directly affect the nerve receptors. Instead, it directly assists in maintaining homeostasis which is the body’s internal chemical balance.
In addition, CBD is highly unlikely to have fatal side effects (0 recorded cases), which cannot be said for traditional anxiety drugs. CBD also isn’t psychotropic like THC and isn’t physically intoxicating.
CBD Oil in Anxiety Management
Around 18.1% of Americans have anxiety, making it the most common mental disorder. Our endocannabinoid system plays many different roles in our body, including the regulation of sleep, memory, and mood.
If your body lacks sufficient cannabinoid molecules or receptors, you could experience sleep disruption and a change in your mood or mental state. CBD oil is a better alternative for anxiety and depression as it directly interacts with the endocannabinoid system and doesn’t cause any unwated symptoms.
When a commercial CBD product sells it cannot contain greater than 0.3% THC. CBD can also promote healthy and productive sleep as well as help to reduce sleep disturbances.
A report published in 2015 identifies CBD as the next viable treatment for anxiety disorders. As noted in the report, the studies focused specifically on the use of high-quality pure CBD oil.
CBD vs THC to Treat Anxiety
Medical cannabis can contain up to 8 times more THC than the plants used to make CBD. CBD oils contain very low THC concentrations, which is why they’re not considered to cause any side effects.
A legal, high-quality CBD oil bottle will have anywhere from 0 THC to 0.3% THC. Marijuana is prescribed for medical use only when under medical supervision. CBD has short-term benefits but it can also be used in patients who experience depression issues.
CBD may help sufferers of anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or PTSD.
What is anxiety?
The fight or flight response encompasses an array of physical reactions that we associate with anxiety, such as the rush of adrenaline, sweating, increased heartbeat, and sensitivity to environmental triggering.
When a person has an overactive fight or flight response, it becomes one of many anxiety disorders. Once the anxiety becomes progressively worse the person’s cognitive and psychological health becomes severely affected. Panic disorders are a corruption of the normal response to dangerous stimuli.
Symptoms of anxiety disorder
Do I suffer from anxiety and depression? Below we share the most common symptoms:
- Feelings of fear, sadness, panic, or doom with no obvious or reasonable cause
- Sweating, redness, feeling hot
- Shaking, high heartbeat, numbness
- Difficulty speaking or moving limbs
- Difficulty swallowing
CBD for treating other neurological disorders
A recent review on CBD treatment for other neurological conditions concluded that CBD treatment has not been proven to be consistently effective in all mental health conditions. One study found CBD could be effective in treating schizophrenia in humans.
Further research needs to be done to determine the correct dosages for people with anxiety. CBD is considered to be safe but other people taking high amounts of CBD experience some side effects—most of which are mild.
CBD may interfere with some of the other medicines you’re taking, medicines that fall under “grapefruit cautions.” Check the laws in your state and the laws of where you travel when buying or traveling with CBD.