What You Need to Know About CBD Oil for Anxiety

People with anxiety get a lot of recommendations for how to regulate their feelings and behavior. Medication. More sleep. Exercise. Meditation. When you’ve run through the list of remedies and you are still suffering from anxiety, you might feel – well, anxious. 

But in recent months, another supposed treatment has pushed everything else aside and become the king of the wellness industry. That treatment is CBD oil. It’s not just a treatment for anxiety, either. Different CBD products promise relief from pain, lower inflammation, reduced seizures, and even a treatment for MS and chronic conditions. 

Most people, however, are excited to use CBD to treat anxiety. Pet owners have even been making news by giving their pets CBD for Canada Day and Fourth of July fireworks. But will a drop of oil from the hemp plant really be the solution to your anxiety problems? 

Take some time to learn the basics of how CBD interacts with the brain, what science has to say, and how you can use CBD oil for anxiety. CBD isn’t all hype – but there certainly is enough hype around the cannabinoid to make many anxiety sufferers hesitant to shell out for oils and tinctures. The best way to find out what works best for you is through educating yourself, talking to medical professionals, and experimenting (with caution.) 

About Cannabinoids and the Body

In order to understand the hype behind CBD, you’ll want to learn a bit about the endocannabinoid system. 

The endocannabinoid system is the digestive system or the reproductive system. It helps to regulate bodily functions. Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters that, when they bind to endocannabinoid receptors, can cause changes in:

• Memory
• Appetite
• Reception of pain
• Mood 
• Motor function

For example, many scientists argue that anandamide, an endocannabinoid that the body naturally produces, is what’s really behind the “runner’s high.” If the endocannabinoid system is not able to function properly, you might experience symptoms of anxiety. Multiple studies show that the endocannabinoid system is crucial in regulating the responses and behaviors that are associated with anxiety, including pain or mood swings.

Endocannabinoids…cannabinoids…hey, this is where cannabis comes in! 

Cannabinoids also exist in cannabis plants. They fit nicely into the cannabinoid receptors found in the endocannabinoid system. (These receptors are known as CB1 and CB2 receptors.) 

And CBD is a unique case when it comes to cannabinoids. 

Unlike THC and the cannabinoids we produce in our bodies, CBD doesn’t bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors. But CBD does help to bind cannabinoids to receptors. Ingesting CBD also increases the natural cannabinoid levels in your body. With more action in the cannabinoid system, your body is more likely to regulate itself, fight stressors, and reach homeostasis. 

This difference between THC and CBD is one of the reasons that THC gets you high, but CBD does not. 

CBD also has a profound on other neurotransmitters, including GABA and serotonin. For people with anxiety, this is good news. Low GABA and serotonin levels are commonly linked to anxiety. Regulating and increasing these neurotransmitters can help to soothe your anxiety and stay calm. Physical activity, more sleep, and increased B vitamins also produce similar effects to CBD by increasing the release of GABA and serotonin. 

Scientists have tried and failed to use synthetic drugs to regulate and manipulate the cannabinoid system. Natural cannabinoids, however, seem to do the trick. 

Back before cannabis was legal, cannabis was a cure for anxious feelings – until it wasn’t. We all know someone who smoked pot and got super paranoid. If you’re prone to anxious, you’ve probably gone through a similar experience.

This is why using CBD oil, rather than weed or THC oil, works so well for anxiety. CBD increases neurotransmitters that calm you down, without the risk of paranoia or getting high. 

Different Types of CBD Oil Products for Anxiety 

Nowadays, you can get CBD oil in many different forms, but they all produce similar calming effects. Shop around the CBD market for products that will help you stay calm all day long.

Tinctures 

Most CBD oil products come in tincture form. Sometimes, these tinctures are a combination of THC and CBD, but you can also just get CBD oil on its own. CBD tinctures are extremely versatile. You can mix them in a smoothie, add them to edibles, or just pop a dosage underneath your tongue.  

Vapes 

Vaping isn’t just for people who want to quit smoking or stoners who want to be more discreet. You can also buy disposable CBD vape pens or cartridges that only contain CBD oil. This way, you can bring your CBD oil wherever you go and find some quick relief. While edibles and oil products can take up to two hours to “kick in,” the effects of CBD vapes can be felt in just a few minutes. 

Edibles

You can smoke, vape, or even eat weed. Similarly, you can smoke, vape, or eat cannabis strains that only contain CBD. CBD edibles and beverages are some of the hottest items in the wellness market. Options include CBD coffee, CBD sparkling water, and even baked goods. What’s better than a chocolate bar that is scientifically proven to calm your nerves? 

Topicals 

CBD can be ingested or applied directly to the skin. Examples of CBD topicals include lotions, balms, or massage oils. You can even find CBD oil bath bombs and other products for a wonderfully relaxing evening. We’ve written a whole blog post about the benefits of CBD topicals – check it out here.  

In addition to CBD oils extracted from cannabis, you can also purchase cannabis flower that only contains CBD. Strains like Harlequin and Cannatonic only contain CBD. 

Shop CBD Oil Products Now 

Ready, set, relax! CBD oil is a natural treatment that can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety by regulating the body’s endocannabinoid system. You can use topicals, edibles, vapes, or even cannabis flower to enjoy the effects of CBD. Shop now through our CBD products and try it out for yourself.