Thwart Discomfort: A Guide to CBD for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

For people suffering from anxiety, there are so many medications you can be prescribed, and they don’t work for everyone.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the world, affecting over 40 million adults in the U.S. every year.

Luckily, there may be a way to treat your anxiety and panic attacks without a prescription to let you live your life more freely without anxiety. Let’s talk about using CBD for anxiety.

CBD For Anxiety

CBD is rich in chemicals called cannabinoids that bind to specialized receptors in the brain. CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant and is used in a lot of different ways, offering many potential health benefits. 

So, how is CBD used for anxiety compared to marijuana?

CBD vs. THC

The cannabinoid known as THC is what produces the high from marijuana, but CBD does not produce the same effect. It is derived from hemp, which is typically used for industrial purposes and does not have more than trace amounts of THC.

CBD has been researched for its effects on anxiety over the past decade. It was previously not understood to have its own set of benefits and effects compared to THC.

Higher doses of THC is believed to exacerbate any panic attacks or anxiety in many patients. Making marijuana an unproductive treatment for anxiety patients.

CBD, on the other hand, is well-known for its calming effects, making it a popular choice for people with anxiety. People interested in managing their anxiety with this compound should look exclusively at research on CBD, not generalized studies of medical marijuana.

Although there are fewer studies on CBD specifically, the research is promising so far.

Research

While many studies conflict on whether marijuana use helps with anxiety or makes it worse, researchers seem to be mostly in agreement that CBD helps to reduce it.

In one 2010 study, the use of CBD not only made participants feel better, but it also changed the way their brains responded to anxiety.

A 2015 analysis of previous studies came to the conclusion that CBD itself is a promising treatment for numerous forms of anxiety and mental health disorders, including:

• Social Anxiety Disorder – Research has even been promising for helping anxiety associated with public speaking.
• Panic Disorder – CBD has been shown to reduce panic attacks significantly.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – The calming effects seem to help, but not enough conclusive research has been performed.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder – CBD has shown very promising results for all forms of anxiety, especially the most common form.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD patients have seen some help in their risk of anxiety and depression with CBD use.

Those are some promising conclusions, considering the high number of people who could benefit from treatment for these conditions. Lowering blood pressure and reacting with your neuroreceptors seems to work wonders.

With all of these mental health benefits and no psychoactive high, it is hard to believe that this natural chemical has been hidden from the public for so long.

Check out 10 common myths about CBD that have been disproved by some of the researchers’ findings.

How To Take CBD for Anxiety

CBD oil isn’t a regulated medical treatment for anxiety which means it’s not clear what dosage you should take, or how often you should take it.

In previous studies about social anxiety, researchers found a 600mg dose of CBD was effective in reducing anxiety. However, some studies have seen anti-anxiety effects with as little as 40 milligrams.

More research is definitely needed for accurate dosing for the most effective results, but for now, find what is right for you. Shortly after a while of regular use, you will begin to understand how it affects you, and how you should use it for the best benefits.

Start out with a low dose, and if you don’t see the desired results, raise the dosage incrementally until you begin to notice the benefits.

Methods of Use

CBD can be used in many forms. It is commonly used in essential oils, lotions, vape liquids, and a lot more.

People use lotions to target chronic pain because of CBD’s pain-relieving effects, and the results have been promising so far.

It is especially promising for people with arthritis and carpal tunnel, many of whom have reported improved mobility and significantly reduced pain.

Most people suffering from anxiety will choose to use it in a vape juice, oil, or even syrups or sweeteners. Essentially, any method of ingesting the compound. CBD products come in many forms, so people using it for a medical purpose never have to stick to taking pills.

When To Use It

Many people who use CBD for anxiety will use it as a preventative measure, depending on how you take it.

Ingesting CBD in a capsule or candy will take longer for the effects to start working, but they will last for a longer period of time. If you are prone to regular panic attacks or anxiety, this may be the best method for you.

Inhaling CBD in an e-cigarette will give quicker effects, so people suffering from inconsistent anxiety may use this method as a fast relief.

If you want to take care of it once the anxiety attack is already there, this may be a good way to do it.

What Else?

Clearly, CBD is a promising remedy for a lot of different ailments. With a lot of positive research for the use of CBD for anxiety, it seems as if it may outdo some long-held remedies.

If you find that CBD helps you live your life more easily and you aren’t experiencing any negative effects, keep using it. Do more research on CBD’s uses to keep yourself informed, and get started taking CBD with this beginner’s guide.