Can You Take CBD Oil For Anxiety?

WRITTEN by Edd

 | Last revised

Jul, 2022

Current medical research into CBD for anxiety suggests that CBD oil is effective at alleviating some physical and mental health symptoms. As CBD enters more mainstream usage, researchers have also begun to investigate its potential as a treatment for anxiety and depression disorders, with promising results.

If you’re interested in learning more about accessing CBD oil in Australia, you can click here and read this article.

Is CBD Oil Good For Anxiety?

Cannabidiol interacts with several receptors in the brain, which are involved with processes that regulate fear and anxiety. This suggests that it may be possible for CBD to influence these processes.

CBD’s effects on anxiety were also assessed in a 2020 study that investigated the effects of CBD on a range of symptoms, including pain, cancer-related symptoms, and mental health symptoms.

70% of the study participants who received CBD oil for their anxiety or depression reported a reduction in their symptoms and that they were more able to carry out daily life. Less than 10% experienced adverse side effects, and less than 1% of the study participants said that CBD made their condition worse. [1]

Other reports have shown different results, however. A 2019 CBD anxiety study found that as many as 19.5% of their participant group felt that their anxiety had worsened. [2]

Overall, current research is incomplete but seems to indicate that CBD oil can provide relief from anxiety symptoms for most people when taking the right dosage.

At the moment, most CBD anxiety studies are small-scale and assess different dosages and conditions. As a result, large-scale studies into the subject are needed to learn more about how CBD can interact with anxiety.

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CBD Oil Benefits For Anxiety

People turn to CBD oil as a way of managing their anxiety symptoms for a number of reasons.

Most anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications come with a host of negative side effects, such as insomnia, mood swings, and sexual dysfunction. In comparison, most people do not experience any side effects from CBD. When side effects do occur, they are generally mild.

Additionally, some anti-anxiety medications can take weeks to have a significant effect. In contrast, CBD oil can have an effect within an hour of taking it. When taken via inhalation, such as by smoking or vaping, its effects can be almost immediate.

Can CBD Cause Anxiety?

Cannabidiol does not cause anxiety for the vast majority of people. For most, it has a calming effect.

THC, the psychoactive element of cannabis, can cause anxiety for some people, however. [3] Because of this, CBD oil products that also contain a significant amount of THC may cause anxiety for some.

The amount of THC in legal CBD products is very low, so unless you are very sensitive to THC you are not likely to experience anxiety from taking CBD oil.

CBD isolate products contain zero THC. If you experience anxiety after taking a full-spectrum CBD oil, switching to an isolated CBD extract could make a difference.

CBD manufacturers post public records of test results that show the THC content of their products. Checking these will help you avoid the possibility of anxiety caused by accidentally taking a CBD oil that contains more THC than advertised.

Inaccurate labelling and inconsistent product potency are very common problems on the green market. As a result, if you are trying to avoid THC or are sensitive to changes in your CBD dosages, sticking to the legal market is the best way to go.

You can get a medical prescription for CBD oil to treat anxiety, so the risks of the green market are unnecessary. A healthcare professional can help you find the best CBD oil for anxiety and depression.

Furthermore, stopping or changing anti-anxiety medications can cause adverse reactions, and you should not do so without talking to your doctor about it.

Hemp Oil Vs CBD Oil For Anxiety

Hemp seed oil does not contain cannabidiol and lacks the same anxiety-relieving effects as CBD oil.

Hemp seed oil has more nutritional benefits, such as high omega-3 fatty acids content. This can help regulate your immune system and reduce inflammation, both of which can reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol.[4]

How To Use CBD Oil For Anxiety

The optimal CBD oil dosage can differ a lot from person to person, so there are no fixed guidelines for how much or how often you should use it.

Research suggests the best CBD dosage for anxiety in mg may be between 40mg and 300mg, depending on the patient. [5]

The question of ‘how much CBD oil should I take for anxiety?’ has no simple answer. This is why doctors recommend the process of titration, which involves starting at a low dosage and slowly increasing it over a few weeks until it has the desired effect.

This can help your body adjust to a regular CBD intake and minimise the impact of any side effects.

There are also many consumption methods, the most popular is an oil or tincture form, but edibles, vapes, and capsules are growing in popularity with consumers.

Depending on the dosage, method of consumption, and numerous factors related to your physiology and lifestyle, CBD oil can have an effect on you for between 2 and 8 hours.

Key Takeaway: Taking CBD Oil For Anxiety Works

For many people, CBD oil helps manage anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms.

However, treating anxiety with CBD oil is not as simple as buying any over-the-counter CBD product.

Discussing your anxiety with a healthcare professional is vital for ensuring that you are prescribed the right medication for your needs. It also ensures you have support in finding the right dosage and managing any side effects. This is particularly important if you plan to use CBD during pregnancy to manage any anxiety symptoms.

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References

1. Graham Gulbransen, William Xu and Bruce Arroll, "Cannabidiol prescription in clinical practice: an audit on the first 400 patients in New Zealand".
National Library of Medicine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7330185/.
2. Scott Shannon, Nicole Lewis, Heather Lee and Shannon Hughes, "Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series".
National Library of Medicine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/.
3. Kristi Pahr, "Marijuana and Anxiety: It’s Complicated".
Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-and-anxiety.
4. Cleveland Clinic Team, "What Happens When Your Immune System Gets Stressed Out?".
Cleveland Clinic.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out/.
5. Lauren Silva, "How To USe BCD To Help Alleviate Anxiety".
Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/health/body/cbd-for-anxiety/.

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Disclaimer. While we strive to relay the most factual education available, this shouldn’t replace official medical or legal consultation and recommendation. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Happy days.

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