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CBD Oil for Anxiety
In an increasingly demanding world, anxiety is an ever-present problem for many. Anxiety can control your life, your outlook and how you operate. It can also be an isolating condition, especially if people feel uncomfortable or unable to discuss their anxiety with those around them.
There are at least 8.2 million cases of anxiety in the UK, and these people are looking for improved mental wellbeing. For many, the answer lies in natural, quality CBD oil. Others, however, might be nervous about going down this road without first understanding how CBD oil can help anxiety and what it can deliver. Let’s look at CBD dosage for anxiety, what the science says and what can affect CBD bioavailability.
Does CBD Oil Work for Anxiety?
First things first — how does CBD oil work for anxiety? Researchers believe that CBD works by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our body — protein-based chemical structures attached to our cells. These receptors are generally found in our central nervous systems and our peripheral nervous systems.
Nobody knows exactly why or how CBD affects our CB1 receptors, but some assert that CBD alters our Serotonin signals. It doesn’t necessarily do this by boosting levels of Serotonin, but rather affecting how our brain’s chemical receptors respond to Serotonin already in our systems. Many anxiety sufferers don’t have enough Serotonin (the “feel-good hormone”), so this is likely to be the connection that helps anxiety sufferers.
Another school of thought is that CBD blocks an enzyme in our body known as FAAH, which can increase levels of anandamide — the “Bliss Molecule” — a Cannabinoid our body produces This is the same chemical that can lead to you feeling the “runner’s high”.
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What Research Says about Anxiety and CBD
While we believe there should be much more research conducted into CBD and anxiety, there are a few studies we can point to, proving that CBD can help to treat symptoms of anxiety.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has said there’s evidence to suggest people could use CBD to reduce stress and potentially treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), while a 2014 study showed that CBD could curb “anxiety pangs”.
Studies into the relationship between CBD and social anxiety have been carried out, with a 2010 study showing that CBD can reduce the symptoms of this disorder. A year later, a test was carried out comparing the effects of CBD and a placebo. Researchers asked twenty-four subjects to speak publicly, and when compared to those given a placebo, those who took CBD coped better with the stress.
While CBD is by no means a magical cure-all, it certainly seems that there is a connection between CBD and anxiety that is backed up by science.
Can I Take CBD Oil with Anxiety Medication?
We would never recommend you stop any medication without first speaking to your GP. What you should know is that using CBD in conjunction with antidepressants (used to treat anxiety) may cause undesirable interactions. CBD could potentially slow down the speed with which your body processes the antidepressant medications, meaning the drugs stay in your system for longer. For reasons like this, it’s vital to discuss CBD with your doctor.
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CBD Oil Dosage for Anxiety
It might be frustrating to hear, but calculating the right CBD oil dosage for anxiety is tricky, as it depends on so many factors. For starters, not all the CBD you ingest will make it to your bloodstream, and even less will eventually make it to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). First, it will be processed by your digestive system and broken down into usable and unusable substances. The usable CBD absorbed into the bloodstream is known as ‘bioavailable CBD’.
Different factors affect CBD bioavailability, including:
- Method of consumption
- Your weight
- Potency and dosage of the CBD
- The overall quality of the CBD
With these factors in mind, it’s hard to say precisely what the right dosage is for you. If you don’t take enough, you won’t notice the effect, and while you can’t overdose on CBD, you can experience unpleasant side effects including fatigue, appetite reduction and diarrhoea.
We advise anyone new to CBD to begin with a small dose, one in the morning and one in the evening. 25mg is a reasonable starting dosage. Eventually, you’ll get a feel of what is right for you.
<cta> CBD Dosage Calculator — How Much Should I Take?
How Soon Does CBD Oil Work for Anxiety?
As with dosage levels, the amount of time CBD oil takes to work for you will depend on a number of factors, including your weight, health, gender, method of consumption and metabolism. Generally speaking, you should begin to feel the effects of CBD between 1-6 hours after consumption.
How to Take CBD for Anxiety
There are a few ways you can take CBD for anxiety, including:
- Vaping
- CBD tinctures
- CBD capsules
- Edible CBD products
- CBD topical moisturisers and lotions
Not All CBD Is Created Equal
If you are looking to treat your anxiety with CBD oil, it’s important to be selective. You need to know what you’re buying, and you need to trust the company you’re buying your CBD from. There are several CBD extraction methods which will affect the quality of the CBD. Likewise, there are different concentrations and ways to consume your CBD. If you are new to CBD, you’ll want to select a transparent company with high standards and a proven dedication to its customers.
