Can CBD Help With Anxiety? What Science Has to Say 

There’s a reason why 56% of individuals prefer using CBD as an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical medication. Many people would rather try a natural remedy, then use an expensive medication with lots of side effects. As researchers continue studying the cannabis-based compound, they reveal more and more medical benefits.

One promising area is CBD’s effect on individuals with anxiety problems. So, is CBD good for anxiety? If you’re curious about this topic, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be exploring everything you need to know about CBD and anxiety. Let’s get started!

How Does CBD Work?

To understand how CBD works, we need to learn about the receptors in our brains. These chemical-based structures are designed to receive stimuli that enter our system. As such, CBD has a unique reaction to these receptors. When we ingest CBD it specifically interacts with our CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Not much is known about how these receptors work. All we know is that they affect serotonin levels in both our central and peripheral nervous systems when CBD interacts with them. As we will see in the next section, this plays a significant part in treating anxiety. 

Is CBD Good for Anxiety?

In the last section, we mentioned that serotonin levels are affected by CBD. This interaction is exactly why CBD is good for anxiety. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in facilitating mental health in our brains. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to many cases of both anxiety and depression.

That’s why traditional anxiety and depression medications work to increase the amount of serotonin artificially. However, some people may wish to try CBD as a natural way of increasing these levels. Let’s take a look at some of the evidence that this decision might be effective. 

Generalized Anxiety

Generalized anxiety is characterized by frequent worrying about everyday situations and occurrences. Evidence provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (or NIDA) suggests that CBD may be effective at treating this condition. When tested on lab rats, it was shown to decrease heart rate levels and lower their stress.

This study also suggests that it may be effective in treating post-traumatic stress syndrome. This is due to the ability to suppress recurring traumatic memories and nightmares. However, more evidence is needed before it can be determined whether or not CBD is officially effective at treating generalized anxiety. 

Social Anxiety 

Social anxiety disorder (or SAD) is a condition that makes people uncomfortable in specific social situations. These individuals often overthink specific social encounters, which can lead to more stress and insomnia. Luckily, evidence suggests that CBD may be particularly effective at treating this type of anxiety. 

One study performed on people and animals gave the subjects 400 milligrams of CBD and a placebo. Those that took the CBD reported lower levels of anxiety. It also has been reported to help people fall asleep when they face anxiety-induced insomnia. 

Other Types of Neurological Conditions 

CBD isn’t just effective at treating anxiety. As we mentioned before, low serotonin levels are also linked to depression. As such, the serotonin-boosting effect of CBD can also help people with depression feel better.

However, there still isn’t enough evidence to conclusive label it as a cure-all for depression. One study performed in 2016 also suggested that CBD may be effective at treating conditions like schizophrenia. This is due to its antipsychotic effects. 

CBD Dosage for Anxiety 

There’s no specific dosage amount that works for everyone. That’s because the effect of CBD is influenced by your body weight, medical condition, chemical makeup, and the concentration of the CBD product you’re taking. Typically, if you’re using an edible, tincture, or capsule, then the product will come with a concentration label.

If you want the most precise method of dosing, then your best bet is to stick to edible or capsules since they’re premeasured. Tinctures can be good, but they will require some measuring and calculating with the dropper. Alternatively, if you’re growing your own CBD strains, then the seed should come with information about its potency.

Generally speaking, three hundred milligrams of CBD is a good place to start for anxiety. However, make sure to adjust it as you see fit. Some users may require less, while others may need more. If you don’t notice any effect, then try adjusting your dosage by 10 milligrams a week until you reach the right feeling. 

CBD Side Effects

For the most part, CBD is considered perfectly safe. There’s almost no way to overdose on it, so the side effects tend to be very mild. They include things like weight gain, weight loss, feelings of fatigue, nausea, and changes in appetite.

As you can see these types of side effects are much milder than some that come with traditional pharmaceuticals. However, if you notice any of them, then you should address them.

More often than not, any negative side effects are due to a bad product made by a dishonest manufacturer. However, they can also be related to your dosage level and individual tolerance. As such, if you notice any of these symptoms, then you should stop taking the product and visit your doctor.

Want More Great Content? Keep on Reading

We hope this article helped you answer the question, Is CBD good for anxiety? As you can see, alternative health remedy has a promising future in dealing with the neurological condition. However, ultimately everyone is unique. So, what works for one person might not work for another.

The best way to find out is to try it for yourself. Just make sure you consult your doctor if you’re currently taking any medications. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep on exploring our topics to find something you’re sure to enjoy!