Does CBD Help With Anxiety?

Anxiety affects almost all of us in many ways. Many people looking at CBD products wonder: Does CBD help with anxiety? Before giving a speech or doing something new, we might feel unsure, unprepared or a nervous wreck.

People who have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or who experience panic attacks, anxiety is so much more than simply feeling overwhelmed. It can be totally debilitating.

Typical treatments for anxiety usually center around either therapy, medication or both. This includes talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications like benzodiazepines, antidepressants, beta blockers and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). But non-pharmaceutical solutions are also becoming more popular, especially as new research on them emerges. Case in point: CBD products.

Much of the research on cannabis products has looked at the use of marijuana rather than at CBD oil as a standalone product.

Does cbd help with anxiety? The Research…

Some studies have found that cannabis might help anxiety. Others suggest that having anxiety is a risk factor for recreational marijuana use, or that using marijuana can make a person more vulnerable to anxiety.

People interested in managing their anxiety with CBD oil should look exclusively at research on cannabidiol, not generalized studies of medical marijuana. Although there are fewer studies on cannabidiol specifically, the preliminary research is promising.

A small 2010 study found that cannabidiol could reduce symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Brain scans of participants revealed changes in blood flow to the regions of the brain linked to feelings of anxiety.

In this study, cannabidiol not only made participants feel better but also changed the way their brains responded to anxiety.

A 2011 study also found that cannabidiol could reduce social anxiety. For that study, researchers looked specifically at cannabidiol to treat anxiety associated with public speaking.

Research published in 2014 found that CBD oil had anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in an animal model.

A 2015 analysis of previous studies concluded that CBD oil is a promising treatment for numerous forms of anxiety, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The report cautioned, however, that data on long-term use of CBD oil is limited. While research strongly points to the role of cannabidiol in treating short-term anxiety, little is known about its long-term effects, or how it can be used as a prolonged treatment.

A 2016 case study explored whether cannabidiol could reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety-provoked sleep disorder in a child with a history of trauma. Researchers found that cannabidiol reduced the child’s anxiety and helped her sleep.

How should I take CBD for Anxiety?

There’s no known CBD dose for anxiety. Studies have found that doses of 300 mg to 600 mg reduce anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder. But more research is needed to determine an effective dose.

When it comes to how to take it, there are many different forms and products including:

• Oils
• Capsules
• Drops
• Teas
• Vapor
• Candies

You can even get a shot of it in your latte.

Try one of our many CBD based products at Herbane for great results!