What We Know About Using CBD for Anxiety

We have all experienced the feeling of being “stressed-out” at some point in our lives. However, in today’s society, where the burnout epidemic has become a daily reality for a lot of people, stress and anxiety have become a major issue. 

Anxiety disorders are now the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting about 40 million adults in the United States every year, says the ADAA. 

And a recent poll by the APA revealed that almost 40% of Americans are more anxious than they were at this time last year. Even though these disorders are treatable, only around 36% of patients suffering actually receive the help they need.  

Unfortunately, the medical system’s solution for stress and anxiety is failing too many people.  

If you struggle with chronic stress or anxiety, you may have heard how incorporating CBD can be useful in treating these crippling symptoms. But you’re probably wondering, “does it work?” 

Let’s take a look at what we know about using CBD for anxiety.

Can Stress & Anxiety Be Harmful For Your Body?

Tiny amounts of the hormones stress produces (cortisol) is good; they let your body know that it should prepare for “fight or flight.” 

However, our bodies weren’t designed to be in a constant state of panic. Continually high levels of stress hormones are hard on the body, with consequences including, “depression, heart disease, digestive problems, weakened immune system fatigue, weight gain, headaches, and endocannabinoid imbalance,” according to recent studies.

For lower-level anxiety, there are certain coping mechanisms you can employ to help mitigate symptoms- like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, exercise, journaling or working with a therapist. But for some people, that’s just not enough. 

Here’s the good news: if you are suffering from chronic anxiety, there’s scientific evidence suggesting that using CBD can help.

“Because not all patients respond to the currently available pharmacotherapeutical treatment options, the search for novel therapeutic approaches deserves high priority.”

– Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)

What Does Research Say About Using CBD for Anxiety?

The rise of CBD’s popularity has also ushered in a wave of clinical studies, examining CBD as a treatment for many health-related symptoms- specifically anxiety. The results have been extremely promising!

One study, done back in 2011, found that CBD “reduced symptoms” in people with social anxiety disorder. In this article, they found that “relative to placebo, CBD was associated with significantly decreased anxiety.”

A study in 2019 used CBD to treat people who were struggling with anxiety and sleep. Almost 80% of the participant’s anxiety improved, and almost 70% reported better sleep in the first month.

Several clinical trials with humans are currently underway, but there is already good evidence of CBD’s usefulness for treating anxiety and stress in humans. 

How Can CBD Help with Anxiety and Stress? 

Our bodies have many different receptors. These chemical structures that are attached to your cells receive signals from different stimuli, like CBD. CBD interacts with our CB1 and CB2 receptors that are mostly found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. 

There’s still lots of research that needs to be done in order to fully understand how this process works, but what we do know is that it may alter serotonin signals. 

Serotonin is a super-complex neurotransmitter, often associated with happiness and wellbeing, and plays a vital role in our mental health. In some cases, not having enough serotonin may cause anxiety. It’s a finely-tuned-balancing-act that keeps our hormones in balance, so when they’re off, it manifests as either stress or anxiety. 

The conventional treatment for low serotonin is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), like Zoloft or Prozac, which are only available via prescription, and come with a long list of side effects; digestive issues, low sex-drive, weight gain, and trouble sleeping- just to name a few (ick…) 

If you are suffering from anxiety, you may be able to manage your condition with CBD instead of an SSRI. Here’s how: your endocannabinoid system.

Your Endocannabinoid System and Anxiety 

Studies have shown that CBD helps relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety by working with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is described as “a complex physiologic network” found inside our bodies- comprised of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2.

This delicate system can get really out-of-whack if you’re constantly stressed.

CBD can be used to help restore balance to your endocannabinoid system by preventing overstimulation of the receptors, as well as helping your body naturally increase the production of endocannabinoids.

Scientific research emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance in the endocannabinoid system, in order to promote a healthy response to stress and mitigate unnecessary fear, anxiety, and panic.

“Overall, existing evidence strongly supports the potential of CBD as a treatment for anxiety disorders.”

source

CBD Oil Dosage for Anxiety

“How much CBD oil should I take?” is a common question for CBD users, especially when they’re interested in taking it to relieve anxiety or stress. However, when it comes to taking CBD oil, it’s not one-size-fits-all. 

Determining what your idea dosage is will take a bit of trial-and-error, and a little patience. 

CBD oil is available in several different forms; tinctures, capsules, concentrates, and topical salves. However, when administering CBD for anxiety, it is most commonly taken sublingually (under the tongue). 

It is important to note that CBD is most effective when taken regularly, though it may be also used for treating acute flare-ups of stress and anxiety.

The effects of CBD usually lasts several hours, with most people reporting that they feel better for up to 24 hours! However, it usually takes about 90 minutes after taking the CBD for the effects to really set in. In a 2018 study, subjects were administered a dose of CBD before taking part in a simulated public speaking event. The study found that a 300 mg dose of CBD, taken orally, 90 minutes prior to the event was enough to significantly reduce their anxiety.

If you’d like to read more about CBD dosage, head over to Rosebud’s CBD Dosage Guide!

What Else Should I Know About Taking CBD for Anxiety?

Generally, it is recommended that you consult with your physician before adding CBD to your daily routine, to prevent drug interactions and any other side effects. 

Your doctor or trust healthcare professional can also help you rule out any contributing deficiencies or other health issues.

It should also be noted that, because the CBD industry is still mostly unregulated, some products may be labeled incorrectly. 

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2017 found that nearly 70% of all CBD products sold online are mislabeled. To protect yourself from faulty or ineffective CBD, always be sure to look for third-party batch reports.

Our mission is to provide you with the best CBD available, and to maintain transparency with our customers. We do this by sending our CBD oil to a third-party lab, where it’s tested thoroughly. 

Click here to review our latest third-party batch reports!

---

Occasional stress and anxiety are a part of life, but chronic stress can give you anxiety and a lot of other negative side effects. By incorporating CBD into your daily life, you can mitigate these symptoms and get back to a healthier, happier lifestyle. 

Have you added CBD to your wellness toolkit to reduce stress and anxiety? We’d love to hear your story in the comments below! 

FDA DISCLOSURE Representations regarding the efficacy and safety of Rosebud CBD have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA only evaluates foods and drugs, not supplements like these products. These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease. Click HERE and HERE to find evidence of a test, analysis, research, or study describing the benefits, performance or efficacy of CBD Oil based on the expertise of relevant professionals. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always check with your physician before starting a new dietary supplement program. The Cannabidiol (CBD) in Rosebud CBD is a natural constituent of industrial hemp plant and grown in the United States of America. Rosebud CBD does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US CSA). All products contain less than 0.3% THC. All products are legal in all 50 states.