Does CBD Work for Anxiety? Everything You Need to Know
There is no shortage of information out there on the impact of CBD on anxiety patients. You can easily find an "I tried CBD for anxiety" story as well as tons of other articles giving direction on how to use CBD oil for anxiety by simply running a Google search.
However, we're taking a different direction with this article. Instead of just explaining how to use CBD oil for anxiety, or just serving you a list of some CBD anxiety testimonials, this article will explain the science behind the effect CBD has on anxiety patients so that you can become your own CBD expert.
What is CBD?
Before we get into how CBD works for anxiety, let's first take a look at what CBD is. CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, which is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plants. CBD oil is made from extracting CBD from hemp or marijuana plants. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), another cannabinoid found in cannabis, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects and will not make you feel "high."
How CBD Works for Anxiety
Now that we know a little more about CBD, how does it work for anxiety? CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis.
CBD works to help restore balance in the ECS by reducing feelings of anxiety and stress, as well as decreasing unwanted inflammation throughout the body. CBD oil has been shown to engage serotonin receptors that reduce anxious thoughts.
Not only that, but CBD can even help with addiction by engaging opioid receptors, which reduces cravings and helps fight drug withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking or using heavily addictive drugs like heroin.
Research Backing CBD's Effectiveness as an Anxiety Therapy
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence out there to suggest CBD oil is an effective anxiety therapy, but what does the research say?
Findings from a 2020 study on the impact of CBD on 397 adults in New Zealand showed that CBD improved their ability to carry out daily activities and reduced their pain levels and anxiety symptoms.
Another study, published in the National Library of Medicine, found evidence that CBD interacts with brain receptors that control fear and anxiety, which might explain its anti anxiety effects.
While research is still being done on how CBD works to relieve anxiety, early studies conducted so far have mostly returned positive results. Anecdotal reports from users also underscore these findings.
How to Use CBD as an Anxiety Therapy
So now that CBD has been shown to have an anxiolytic effect, how can you use CBD oil for anxiety?
One of the most common ways CBD is being used as an anxiety therapy today is by taking it sublingually. Taking CBD sublingually allows it to enter your bloodstream quickly and provide relief from anxiety symptoms speedily.
CBD can also be taken in the form of capsules or edibles. These CBD products are ingested and then metabolized by the liver before entering your bloodstream. They can take a little longer to work than tinctures, but CBD edibles are often a good option for patients who do not like the taste of CBD tinctures.
Another way you can use CBD is in topical form, that is, applying CBD to your skin as lotion or oil. CBD topicals can be especially helpful for muscle pain or soreness, which is why they're often associated with athletes and bodybuilders who experience pain and soreness from intense workouts that drain their energy levels.
That said, let's move on to our product picks for managing anxiety.
3 Best CBD Products for Anxiety
While CBD has been shown to help anxiety, it is important to choose a CBD product that has been tested and researched for efficacy. Here are the top CBD products we recommend as an alternative medicine for treating anxiety:
Tincture
Just Live CBD Tincture is made from organic ingredients and combined with MCT oil. The CBD used in this product comes from agricultural hemp, which has been tested for quality control to ensure it's free of harmful contaminants like pesticides or heavy metals. This CBD tincture also contains terpenes that are known for their therapeutic properties, like CBN and CBG, that can help relax the mind and body.
CBD tinctures are used sublingually by placing a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue before holding it there for 30 seconds to allow the CBD to absorb into your blood vessels through your mouth's mucous membrane lining.
Just Live CBD Tincture can be purchased in three different variants: Broad spectrum mint drops, Broad spectrum natural drops, and Isolate mint drops.
Capsules
Just Live CBD Capsules are made with THC-free CBD grown here in the US. The CBD used in these capsules is extracted from industrial hemp using CO₂ extraction methods, which is the cleanest and safest CBD extraction method.
The CBD oil used in Just Live CBD Capsules has also been tested for purity by relevant third-parties, so you can rest assured that this product does not contain harmful chemicals or pesticides. With no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or additives, these CBD capsules are safe to take daily as directed by your physician.
CBD Gummies
Just Live offers CBD gummies that contain 25 mg of CBD per piece. The CBD used in making these gummies is made using CO₂ extraction methods for the purest CBD possible and comes from agricultural hemp that has been tested for quality control.
Our gummies are also made without the use of any artificial ingredients, preservatives, or additives.
Trying Out CBD for Relief From Anxiety Symptoms
We hope this article has helped clear up some of the confusion surrounding CBD and its potential uses as an anxiety therapy. If you’re looking to try it out, we recommend trying any of the four products we’ve shared above.
If you’d like to read more about CBD, feel free to stop by our blog for more educating CBD articles.
