The modern world has its problems, and it has affected millions of people worldwide: Most people now live isolated lives, following a strict, monotonous routine daily. This can certainly contribute to mental health problems developing. It's thus no wonder that thousands of people are diagnosed daily with symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Anxiety is a mental condition, but its adverse effects can extend to other body parts.
Treating anxiety can be a complicated process. CBD oil is often recommended for those dealing with stress and anxiety. CBD has certain mood-enhancing properties that can alleviate anxiety symptoms and calm you down. So whether you're in the UK or elsewhere, and wondering about whether CBD oil can work for anxiety and stress, let's dig in.
In short, CBD oil has been shown to have positive effects to help with stress and anxiety. However, you should never take CBD as a substitute for your usual anxiety medication.
CBD for stress and anxiety works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating the body’s homeostasis or balance. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, CBD helps to reduce the feelings of fear and worry that can be associated with anxiety.
CBD oil also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can help to reduce physical symptoms associated with anxiety such as muscle tension and headaches. Additionally, CBD has been shown to help improve sleep, which can be beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety-induced sleep issues.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of fear or worry that can be either short-term or long-term. It can be caused by a variety of different factors such as stress, trauma, genetics, or environmental issues. When you experience anxiety, it can lead to physical and mental symptoms such as increased heart rate, tense muscles, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
Anxiety is triggered by stress that may be the result of a difficult situation. Anxiety can cause one to become unsure of her/his emotions, because of the myriad emotions that swell up at the same time.
Anxiety can cause you to lose confidence and mental resolve. It could make you feel uneasy and incapable of tackling any situation or task. The most common feelings associated with anxiety are typically:
● Nervousness
● Feelings of worry
● Agitation
● Irritated state of mind
● Heightened alertness
● Restlessness
● Racing thoughts
There could be physical symptoms of anxiety as well, like:
● Uncontrollable shaking
● Profuse sweating
● Stomach aches and even diarrhea
● Panic attacks
● Insomnia
All of these can be controlled by medication and the complementary use of CBD oil.
Is CBD Oil Effective Against Anxiety & Stress?
It must first be reiterated that CBD oil is not a medicine like the one your doctor prescribes for a particular ailment. However, it can be a helpful alongside, by helping to balance your mood. CBD can promote calmness in the mind and body. This way, it can restore the balance of emotions that may have been disrupted due to stress and anxiety.
Your body’s endocannabinoid system is responsible for most aspects of your daily life, such as sleep, appetite and memory. CBD can interact with the ECS and promote overall wellness. Taking CBD right after feelings of anxiety starts to emerge will help your mind regain the usual homeostasis of emotions it enjoys.
How To Take CBD Oil To Help with Anxiety & Stress?
There are many ways of administering CBD oil. The way you ingest CBD oil will depend on your personal preference and the desired effects. Some common methods are as follows:
● Sublingual CBD oil drops
The sublingual method is the quickest way of taking CBD oil, where the supplement is poured under the tongue. This makes it easier for the cannabinoid to enter our bloodstream and shows its effects. By using CBD oil drops, you are ensuring the highest bioavailability of the product, which is essential for it to be effective against anxiety. This method is not preferred by many CBD users because it leaves behind a bitter, earthy taste in the mouth.
● CBD capsules
CBD capsules are very popular because it is easy to take them. These come in a soft gel outer covering or a hard shell like any other pill. You can take these with water at the start of the day or before going to bed. CBD capsules are a discreet way of taking the supplement and can be consumed in public. Moreover, there is the added benefit of a fixed dose every time. Thus, you don’t need to measure out the dosage manually.
● CBD edibles
If you want to see the results of CBD by starting with a low dose, we recommend that you try an edible first. CBD oil is infused into sweet treats like gummy candy, brownies, and cakes. The bioavailability of CBD in these edibles is not as high, so you can take them for a trial.
● CBD topicals
CBD balms and ointments are also available on the market, which you can directly apply to your skin. These are not very effective against anxiety but can soothe your mind if you use them for massaging yourself.
● CBD vapes
E-cigarettes are in rage at the moment, and you can find vape cartridges with CBD juice. You can use these to inhale CBD directly into your lungs and see its effects quicker.
How Much CBD Oil Should You Use for Anxiety?
As with any other supplements, start taking CBD at a lower dose. Now you may be asking yourself, does CBD oil work for anxiety at a low dosage? A single drop of CBD oil contains about 3 mg of CBD, which is enough for an average-sized adult to experience some effects.
If you see a positive result, you can increase it gradually. It's recommended that you take about 3mg of CBD for every 5 kgs of your body weight. Do not go beyond this point, as it can lead to the accumulation of CBD in your tissues.
How Do You Choose the Best CBD Oil?
There are many brands selling CBD oil in the market. Follow these steps to select the best brand for you:
● Third-party Lab Results
Be sure to choose a brand whose products have undergone third-party lab tests. These tests will confirm the quality of the CBD oil they are selling. A product that has not been tested must not be trusted because you do not know if they are tainted with other substances. Choosing a brand that has been tested may have a lower quantity of CBD in its products, but you can be sure of its purity.
● Organic CBD
Hemp plants should be grown organically without using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. This would endure that these substances do not get mixed with the CBD extracted from the plants.
● Using Broad-spectrum CBD
If your brand sells broad-spectrum CBD, that means it will have no traces of THC. It produces the desired entourage effects and gives you the health benefits of CBD.
● Avoid cheap products
Like most things, cheap CBD is of low quality and often produces adverse effects. Since you are consuming this cannabinoid for your well-being, make the investment and get yourself a high-quality product.
Conclusion
When introducing CBD for the first time to your body, start with a low dose. This allows your body to get acclimatized to the substance and also helps you to identify the correct dosage for you.
