CBD for Anxiety: A Natural Solution for Managing Symptoms
Among all mental health disorders known to modern medicine, anxiety disorders are by far the most commonly diagnosed, with more than 30% of American adults suffering from some form of anxiety throughout their lives. Not only can these conditions have an overwhelming negative impact on mental wellness, but their effects can also spill over into an individual's physical health.
While there are various options available for treating anxiety, such as therapy and prescription medications, many people have begun turning to CBD as a "natural" alternative for managing anxiety symptoms. While most research concerning the benefits of CBD is still relatively new, many experts are optimistic that high-quality CBD products may provide a powerful way to combat anxiety in several of its forms. This is primarily due to the way that CBD, or cannabidiol, interacts with serotonin receptors in the human body to regulate mood and behavior.
In this article, we'll explore how CBD can help you manage anxiety symptoms, how it may potentially interact with some of the most common anxiety disorders, and general information surrounding CBD products.
Understanding Anxiety and its Symptoms
Before we get into the specifics, it's important, in general, to understand anxiety itself. The challenge in defining this condition is due to the fact that anxiety is a complex mental health disorder that represents in unique ways depending on countless factors such as age, gender, background, and other health conditions.
Still, anxiety is typically characterized by excessive worry, fear, and a range of physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Each of these symptoms on its own can significantly and negatively impact daily life by damaging productivity, impairing relationships, and reducing your overall quality of life.
Reducing Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common types of anxiety disorder and is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life. Typically, symptoms include irritability, muscle tension, and constant fatigue. Research indicates that CBD can help regulate the brain's response to stress, alleviating excessive worry, promoting relaxation, and improving overall well-being.
Easing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Similar to GAD, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is characterized by intense fear and anxiety, but specifically in social situations. When SAD goes untreated or unmanaged for long enough, it can often lead to avoidance behavior, wherein individuals avoid social settings altogether in order to limit their anxiety.
In these cases, CBD may be most useful as a supplement to therapy for individuals with SAD. Studies suggest that CBD taken before a social gathering can help reduce anxiety and discomfort, potentially improving social interactions and reducing the impact of social anxiety on daily life.
Sleep Improvement and Anxiety Reduction
Scientists have found that anxiety shows a strong relationship with difficulty sleeping, and the two conditions generally compound each other and make symptoms much worse. Fortunately, approved nonprescription CBD products have shown strong promise in addressing both anxiety and sleep issues.
This is primarily due to CBD's calming effects, which promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. By addressing sleep disturbances, CBD can indirectly help manage anxiety symptoms, reduce fatigue, enhance mood, and improve overall well-being.
CBD's Potential Anxiety-Relieving Effects
The human body naturally contains what is known as an endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in regulating things like mood, stress response, and overall well-being. Hemp-derived CBD products interact with this system to strengthen certain responses while managing others.
Because of this, some studies showed that CBD significantly reduced anxiety in patients, which suggests that it may have anxiolytic properties, meaning it has the potential to reduce anxiety by influencing serotonin levels, working with receptors in the brain that regulate fear and anxiety-related behaviors, and promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
CBD Dosage and Considerations
When considering CBD for anxiety management or any other reason, it's essential to start with a low dosage and gradually increase it as needed. While it's strongly recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and method of consumption, most people generally start with about 25mg per day and increase every two or three days until they find the "right" dose.
CBD is available in various forms, including CBD oils, capsules, edibles, and topical applications. Each person may respond differently to CBD, so finding the right dosage and form may require some experimentation.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD products, by definition, include all active compounds within the hemp plant. Although this can make for more potent benefits, it also means that full-spectrum CBD oil and other products can contain up to 0.3% THC. For those who react poorly to THC or those who worry about false positives during drug testing, it's generally suggested to avoid full-spectrum CBD in favor of either broad-spectrum CBD oil or, ideally, a CBD isolate product.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD products sit squarely between full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate, a position that means their potency may vary drastically depending on formula and brand. When considering a broad-spectrum CBD oil, topical, or edible, always do extra research to ensure you know exactly what you're getting.
CBD Isolate
Unlike either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD, CBD isolate contains only pure CBD, meaning zero THC or other compounds. Although some studies suggest that this can lead to slightly reduced effects at lower dosages, it also may mean fewer side effects in those prone to negative reactions to THC.
How Wellgenix's CBD Products Can Help
Despite the fact that CBD should never replace therapy or treatment from a medical health professional, studies increasingly suggest it can be a valuable tool in managing anxiety symptoms. When deciding which CBD product to trust, however, it's important to find one that uses only the highest quality ingredients possible, such as our Süth line.
Because each Süth product uses only the purest CBD isolate, you can rest assured that you'll never have adverse reactions to THC or have to worry about false positives on a drug test. Additionally, many of our products come in a discreet mint form, meaning you can store them conveniently in your pocket and take one whenever the need arises. If you're ready to start taking control of your anxiety on your own terms, consider trying one of our Süth products today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD legal?
While most areas have begun aggressively working towards legalizing CBD, it is still illegal in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Idaho. Always check your local laws before purchasing any cannabis-related products.
When should I take CBD for anxiety?
When you take a dose of CBD depends entirely on your anxiety and how it presents. If you tend to get anxious in social situations and have an event coming up, consider taking a dose 30 minutes to an hour before that even starts. For more generalized anxiety, feel free to take your daily dose of CBD any time you want.
Will CBD make me test positive on a drug test?
Although it is possible for a full-spectrum CBD product to produce a false positive on a drug test, products such as our Süth line contain no THC whatsoever, making it impossible for them to trigger a false positive.