Does CBD help with anxiety?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 different cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa. Taken as a supplement to support health and well-being by millions of people, there is good evidence that it can also help combat anxiety.

Mental health disorders caused by stress and anxiety are increasing around the world and are often treated with strong prescription drugs. In this article, we’ll take a look at whether using a quality CBD supplement offers a better way to deal with anxiety and its symptoms.

Note: All information in this article is made in good faith and supported by medical articles where possible. You should always seek medical advice from a healthcare professional when you are experiencing chronic pain, illnesses or disorders.

What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is one of several therapeutic compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is not psychoactive (unlike the other well-known compound derived from cannabis, THC) and can be safely taken in reasonable doses without adverse side effects by the vast majority of people.

It is known to support the body’sendocannabinoid system (ECS)—the body’s own chemical signaling system—and can play a beneficial role in maintaining good physical, mental, reproductive, and emotional health.

How does CBD help with anxiety?
Research shows that CBD may contribute to good mental health, and although the exact mechanism by which it does so is not fully understood, there is strong evidence that it can have a positive effect on our anxiety:

• Available at
• Stress response
• Emotional balance
• How CBD helps with anxiety

CBD does this by supporting the ECS in its role of regulating our nervous and endocrine systems.

A key study found that CBD works by affecting levels of important neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, as well as the “happiness molecules” 2-AG and anandamide.

Serotonin is produced by the body and is closely involved in several important physiological and mental processes, such as the regulation of our sleep/wake cycle (the circadian rhythm), mood, behaviour and digestion.

5 Advantages of CBD Over Other Anxiety Medications
Here are some good reasons to consider CBD as an alternative to prescription medications:

1. CBD has fewer side effects
A common way to treat anxiety is to increase serotonin levels in the body through the use of prescription medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most commonly prescribed medications for treating anxiety disorders.

Unfortunately, there are some serious side effects associated with this approach, such as:

• Feelings of agitation
• Shipping
• Constipation or loose bowels
• Weight loss and loss of appetite
• Zali
• Reduced vision
• Dryness of the mouth
• Excessive sweating
• Headaches
• Sleep disorders
• Suppression of sex drive and erectile dysfunction
• Problems in achieving orgasm

This is a very long list! Side effects from taking CBD are much rarer and the most common side effect is appetite suppression or mild drowsiness.

2. CBD is not addictive and does not promote dependence
Cannabidiol is not addictive and has only mild side effects, unlike SSRIs, which are associated with a host of unpleasant side effects. And, although SSRIs are not proven to be addictive, they can cause severe withdrawal symptoms when people stop using them.

The other drugs prescribed for severe anxiety, the benzodiazepines, are considered highly addictive and should be used with caution. CBD offers an effective, natural alternative to both of these types of drugs, with no known health risks, so we believe the choice is clear.

3. CBD is a natural alternative
CBD is a 100% natural product derived from the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa, and can be safely taken by people who are sensitive to prescription medications and who want to pursue a more holistic approach to managing their anxiety.

4. Rapid onset of relief
CBD has the added benefit of acting quickly. Prescription medications may take several weeks to start working effectively, whereas CBD has been reported to take effect within minutes to hours of consumption—this is great news for those suffering from acute anxiety or panic attacks.

5. Flexibility in Administration
One of the reasons CBD works for so many people is that it can be taken in so many different forms. Traditional anxiety medications usually come in pill form, and that isn’t ideal for everyone.

CBD, on the other hand, can be taken as oils, capsules, edibles and even vapes, so there is a product for everyone, regardless of their preferences.

What Does the Evidence Tell Us About CBD and Anxiety?
There is a wealth of evidence supporting the claims that CBD can help people with various anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders come in many forms, but two of the most common are social anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A 2011 study found that it helped with public speaking
Test participants with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who simulated a public speaking test (SPST) performed better when they took a CBD supplement than when they took a placebo.

It was found that CBD significantly relieved the “nerves” of the test group and their anxiety levels were found to be similar to those of the study control group (who did not suffer from SAD).

A 2015 review found that it may relieve the symptoms of various disorders
Of the 49 studies analyzed, evidence was found suggesting that CBD benefits individuals suffering from PTSD, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A 2018 study found that CBD may help people with PTSD
This recent study showed that CBD can alleviate the symptoms of PTSD, such as the mental replay of distressing thoughts and memories and sleep disturbances caused by nightmares.

A 2019 study found that a higher dose does not always have a greater effect
This study compared the effectiveness of different doses of CBD in combating anxiety and found that the effectiveness of different doses varies widely.

Another 2019 study found that CBD reduced symptoms of anxiety
This study found that in a test group of 11 participants (all of whom suffered from PTSD), 10 out of the 11 experienced reduced anxiety symptoms after taking cannabidiol.

How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety
CBD is available in various forms, from candies and powders to capsules, sprays, and oils, so there’s an easy-to-take supplement for anyone suffering from anxiety. It can even be used topically in the form of a lotion, oil, or cream.

Oral CBD
An oral supplement, such as an oil or a capsule, is a great way to take CBD because it’s both convenient and effective—the effects are usually felt within half an hour to two hours.

Edibles One of the most popular ways to take CBD is in the form of gum and gummies. They’re discreet—you simply pop one in your mouth as needed—and can be taken anywhere, since they look just like regular candy.

However, they do not have as fast an effect as CBD oils, so they are not the best supplement to take in cases of acute need, such as agoraphobia and anxiety attacks.

Vaping
One of the fastest ways to experience the beneficial effects of CBD is by vaping it. Vaping is certainly effective, but there are concerns about the other chemicals present in some vapor and how heating affects them, so more research is needed on the long-term health effects.

Three DNH products that can help with anxiety
CBD Oil 8%
For those trying CBD for the first time, we recommend our 8% CBD oil. A full-spectrum product, it contains 825 mg of cannabidiol per 10 ml, enhanced by a broad spectrum of natural terpenes, terpenes, and other cannabinoids—it’s CBD exactly as nature intended.

CBDactive+
CBDactive+ is a unique product that increases bioavailability by up to 100%. It offers 10 times more full-spectrum CBD compared to standard hemp oil products due to its special water-soluble formulation —which means you get greater effectiveness and even better value for your money.

And because CBDactive+ is hydrophilic and not lipophilic (like the majority of supplements), it works faster, providing even greater effect on the mind and body.

3% CBG Oil (with CBD)
The last product we recommend for managing anxiety is one you might not have expected: CBG oil. Our CBG oil is a 1:1 blend of pure CBD and cannabigerol (CBG), which delivers a powerful punch against anxiety and works very well for people dealing with acute stress and its symptoms.

Frequently asked questions
What dose of CBD should I take for anxiety?
There is some debate about what the standard dose of CBD should be for treating anxiety, and more research is needed, but an exciting study in New Zealand found that a dose between 300 mg and 600 mg reduced anxiety symptoms in a group of people suffering from SAD.

What are the side effects of CBD?
CBD is generally well tolerated by the vast majority of people; however, there are some potential side effects associated with its use, such as

• Fatigue
• Sleepiness
• Suppression of appetite
• Disorders in the stomach

Note: Due to insufficient research, CBD has not been shown to be safe for use during pregnancy or during breastfeeding and we do not recommend prenatal or postnatal use.

Will CBD get me “high”?
Pure cannabidiol has absolutely no psychoactive properties and therefore will not get you “high.” It’s worth noting that CBD products are regulated by law and are not allowed to contain significant amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

Source: dutchnaturalhealing.com

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