Which CBD Products Are Recommended for Anxiety?
Published June 28, 2021.
CBD has been in use for thousands of years to manage a myriad of health issues, such as anxiety. There is evidence to support the fact that it binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your brain, which may help in controlling the levels of serotonin and dopamine released in your system. These hormones play an essential role in your body as they are responsible for maintaining your mood.
That being said, here are some things to look out for when choosing the best CBD product for anxiety:
THC Content
Although the presence of other cannabinoids besides CBD can heighten the beneficial properties of CBD in something called the "entourage effect", that is usually best utilised for symptoms not originating from mental issues. In fact, most adverse effects caused by the testing of various CBD products are often attributed to higher levels of THC, the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant.
What this means for you is that you should rather stick to products that have little to no THC in them. This rules out full-spectrum products entirely as they have the highest legal concentration of THC.
If you aren't overly sensitive to THC, then you can try your luck with broad-spectrum products that have close to zero THC (but still have the presence of other cannabinoids).
Or, if you are sensitive to THC, you can try isolates, which have every other cannabinoid chemically removed.
Method of Consumption
The next thing to consider when choosing a CBD product is how you'd like to get the CBD into your body. Since the problem you want to treat is anxiety, you can rule out topicals and creams as they have the lowest bioavailability and are well-rated for joint aches and conditions relating to the skin.
Vaping CBD has some potential advantages and disadvantages over other methods. It has the highest bioavailability, meaning that more of a given concentration will reach your bloodstream than other methods, and it is also fast-acting. The trade-off for these benefits is the fact that the effects will quickly diminish (usually within a few hours), as well as potentially causing and contributing to other respiratory illnesses. If you don't vape already, then you shouldn't start now.
Edibles and tinctures are a good choice for managing prolonged symptoms. Although tinctures applied sublingually have both a higher bioavailability and a shorter time to feel the effects than edibles (which have to go through your metabolism), some people can't stomach the texture or the taste. Either way, these are the preferred methods for most individuals due to the fact that the effects can be felt for a much longer period of time.
Where to Start
With all this information in mind, you should be well-equipped to start finding the right product to help with your anxiety. Just remember the two key points about starting CBD:
- Never skimp on the quality for something cheaper, most reputable products will come with lab tests proving the content of their product.
- Start with a low dosage and work your way up slowly.
Other than that, it's a simple process of trial and error until you find what's best for you.
