CBD Oil for Anxiety
Table of Contents
What is CBD Oil?
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is an organic molecule that is found in the cannabis plant. CBD is a cannabinoid, one of a diverse class of organic molecules of which there are over 100 varieties in the hemp plant. CBD and THC are the two major active ingredients in marijuana. CBD oil is mostly made from hemp, a variety of cannabis that has less than 0.3% THC per volume. Hemp has been used by humans in one form or another for centuries and has played a role in traditional medicine systems around the world.
CBD oil is extracted from the leaves of the hemp plant and comes in three major varieties: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Full-spectrum oil blends contain a wide range of cannabinoids, including CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, and more. Full-spectrum blends also contain other substances such as terpenes and flavonoids. Broad-spectrum blends also contain multiple cannabinoids but leave out THC.
Isolates, on the other hand, contain only CBD and have other molecules filtered out. Full-spectrum blends are the most expensive because they are more labor-intensive to make.
How Is CBD Oil for Anxiety made?
CBD oil is made with three major methods. The first is the simplest one and involves crushing the leaves and stems of the plant and removing the plant matter. This method is simple but not very efficient and does not create high-quality blends.
The next most common method is solvent extraction. An organic solvent (generally ethanol) is used to extract the CBD molecules from the plant. The solvent is then removed via heat and the oily residue is left over.
The last method is supercritical CO2 extraction and involves using supercooled liquid CO2 to extract the CBD and remove the solvent afterward.
How Does CBD Oil for Anxiety work?
CBD oil works by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system and brain. So far, scientists have identified two main types of receptors, dubbed CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located in the brain and nervous system while CB2 receptors are located in the immune and gastrointestinal systems. CBD binds to the receptors to induce physiological effects. CBD interacts with the safe receptors as THC, but it does so in a different way so that it does not produce the same psychoactive effects.
CBD is normally ingested in oil or tincture form and can be orally ingested or mixed with food or drink. Most CBD mixtures come with an eyedropper so you can measure out doses in mg and grams. There also exist CBD products for vaporizing but these are not recommended for beginner users as they produce potent and intense effects compared to oral ingestion.
What is Endocannabinoid System?
There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that cannabinoid receptors are part of a large distribution network in the body called the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is believed to play an important role in homeostatic processes in the body. The endocannabinoid system is believed to be involved in several bodily functions, including but not limited to:
- Pain signaling
- Immune function
- Digestion
- Sleep
- Memory
- Fertility
Cannabinoids produced naturally by the body are called endocannabinoids and in the normal course of things help regulate these various bodily processes. However, cannabinoid levels can become unbalanced over time and cause problems in these bodily systems. It is believed that CBD can effectively “reboot” the EC system and rebalance homeostatic function.
What are the major side effects of CBD Oil for Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses in the country and affects more than 18 percent of the population. There are several drugs and medications meant for treating anxiety and symptoms of anxiety but many people are turning to CBD as a natural method of managing their symptoms. Common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Racing heart
- Intrusive thoughts
- Insomnia and problems sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Weakened immune system
According to a survey in the journal Cannabis and Cannabis REsearch, nearly 62% of CBD users report that they use CBD to manage symptoms of pain, anxiety, and depression. These three categories were the most common reasons given for taking CBD oil.
There currently is no scientific consensus on whether CBD oil is an effective method of treating symptoms of anxiety. However, what evidence and research exist is promising and points to a lot of potential uses. For example, according to this article published in the journal Neurotherapeutics, cannabidiol shows good potential for treating symptoms related to generalized anxiety disorder, including panic disorders, social anxiety, symptoms of OCD, and PTSD. Further, there is decent evidence suggesting that CBD oil may be effective for treating various forms of pain, including nociceptive and neuropathic pain, both of which are associated with a generalized anxiety disorder.
CBD also is believed to interact with receptors in the brain that activates with serotonin so it has a similar relaxing effect. CBD is not the same as THC so it does not produce the same psychoactive high but it is known to produce a pleasant “light” feeling in the body.
According to this 2015 study by the US National Library of Medicine, CBD interacts with serotonin receptors that are also known to regulate fear and anxiety-induced behaviors. The same study also found that CBD oil has potential as a treatment regimen for a variety of anxiety-related conditions such as PTSD, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Another 2020 study from the US National Library of Medicine done in New Zealand found that CBD significantly improved the quality of life for participants who were taking CBD for a variety of medical conditions including pain, neurological problems, and mental health problems.
A 2020 article looked at over 7 studies investigating CBD’s role in treating generalized anxiety disorders. The researchers of the study found that CBD can be an effective complementary treatment for post-traumatic disorders. Social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder. In all cases, the researchers recommend that more studies are needed to determine exact efficacies for using CBD to treat anxiety, but there are a lot of promising results that look good.
Is CBD Safe to Use? Is it Legal?
CBD is generally considered safe to use and has not been shown to have any serious long-term effects. CBD dosages have been studied extensively in animals and it has been shown that toxicity for CBD is very low. Animals have been administered doses several times higher than those humans would be taken with little to no negative side effects. There is also no evidence to suggest that CBD is habit-forming or that it forms a physiological addiction.
That being said, CBD does have some risks and side effects. The majority of side effects are very mild and include:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Digestive issues
- Lethargy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry mouth
In most cases, these symptoms are very mild and only start to show up in large doses. Some studies indicate that CBD may have negative effects on the liver, but these studies are performed on rats with doses proportionally much higher than humans would normally take. There is also some evidence that CBD may interact with other medications for pain and mental conditions. So it is always recommended that you see a doctor before taking CBD for anxiety, especially if you are taking other forms of medication.
Since CBD is not regulated for use by the FDA there is no standardized recommended dosage. There is only one CBD-based drug approved for use by the FDA called Epidiolex. A standard dosage of Epidiolex is 5 mg per kg per day. So for a 60kg person, a standard dose would be equal to around 300 – 500 mg. Most experts recommend taking at least 1 gram of CBD oil and then upping the dosage until you feel the desired effects. Most CBD products have clear labeling on the packaging so you know the concentration and can measure an appropriate dosage.
As far as legality, CBD is generally legal in the United States and is not on the DEA’s list of Scheduled Controlled substances so it is not federally outlawed. However, CBD stands in a sort of legal gray zone in several jurisdictions and its legality is not clear. That being said, CBD is generally available to buy online in any state. Make sure to check specific rules in your state and city regarding the purchase, sale, and use of CBD.
Also, since CBD is not regulated by the FDA, there are no standards for its manufacture. As such, there are a lot of bogus CBD products out there that may or may not contain the advertised amounts of CBD. In fact, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association approximately 40% of CBD products sold online either do not contain the advertised amount of CBD or do not have any CBD at all. So make sure when shopping around that you do your research on companies so you know that you are getting a quality product.
Conclusion
So, is CBD a good choice for managing symptoms of anxiety? As is always the case with science and medicine, more research always needs to be done. But in the meantime, there is a decent pool of evidence suggesting that CBD might be effective for treating symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and other kinds of anxiety-related issues. There is also good evidence suggesting that Hemp oil for anxiety is safe to use and is not habit-forming. AS such, you can take CBD with little worry of becoming addicted or having withdrawal effects.
Additionally, there is good evidence suggesting that CBD might be useful for treating various forms of pain including neuropathic and nociceptive pain. CBD is also fairly cheap, affordable, and widely available. Like any kind of supplement. CBD is associated with some side effects and medicine interactions so it is very important that you talk to your doctor before trying CBD. In some cases, CBD can be associated with serious medication interactions.
It is also important to realize that CBD oil is not medicine and is not meant to replace or stand as a substitute for any medicine and is not meant to cure any condition. CBD oil is merely a method that can supplement other treatment methods. So if you are currently struggling with symptoms of anxiety disorder, then CBD oil might be a good choice for you.
At Organic CBDs, we pride ourselves on our high-quality CBD blends. All of our products are made with natural ingredients that are cultivated with no pesticides or synthetic chemicals. We create potent CBD oils that can help you reclaim your health and wellness.
