Cannabidiol (CBD) has become popular for treating epilepsy and other issues. Research has shown positive results for people using CBD for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more. It’s easy to include in your daily life, and the benefits can be tremendous.
How exactly do you use CBD to treat stress and anxiety? The Other Path provides essential information on CBD and all you need to know about using it to manage stress.
Understanding CBD
Before knowing how to use CBD for anxiety, you should first understand what CBD is, what it does, and how to safely use it in your state.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid from cannabis Sativa plants. You may already be familiar with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, another prevalent cannabinoid in marijuana.
Hemp plants are the source of most CBD products due to their significantly lower THC content. Compared to THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects. CBD-only products may still have trace amounts of THC, although not usually enough to make you feel high.
As of 2022, the FDA only approves CBD to treat severe epilepsy. However, many people find that it relieves symptoms of:
- Depression
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Parkinson’s disease
People also use CBD for anxiety. As lower serotonin rates cause many anxiety symptoms, CBD affects the serotonin receptor, binding to it to increase serotonin production. Cannabidiol also reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
Research Findings
In 2015, scientists reviewed 49 existing studies on CBD for anxiety. Their findings indicated that CBD might help treat:
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Since then, other studies have confirmed these findings, such as in 2019, when over 90% of a patient group had significantly decreased PTSD symptoms after using CBD products. Another 2019 study reported that 80% of participants experienced anxiety symptom improvements while 70% had significantly better sleep.
It’s important to note that everyone is different. Some people may experience increased anxiety when using CBD products, such as in this 2017 study. You should speak with a trusted medical professional before using CBD.
CBD Legality
The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp production legal. The government defines CBD products with more than .3% THC as marijuana products.
Pure CBD contains no THC, the compound that gets you high. While CBD has no psychoactive effects, it’s still illegal in a few states and restricted in many. Legality varies between states, so be sure to check your state’s laws on CBD possession and sales.
CBD products with less than .3% THC are legal on the federal level. Because cannabis is still federally illegal, marijuana-derived CBD is also unlawful. The Other Path’s CBD products contain less than .3% THC for safe, legal consumption in several states.
CBD and Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses in the US. Around 31% of adults suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. With all the talk around CBD for anxiety, it’s worth trying if you’re tired of coping with racing thoughts, a fast heart rate, and other anxiety symptoms.
CBD may help you:
- Get a better night’s sleep
- Feel more relaxed
- Manage your digestive tract
- Keep heart rate and blood pressure low
- Relieve muscle tension from stress
Choosing the Right Brand
Before using CBD, you first need to find trustworthy products. There are hundreds of CBD brands to choose from, so you have no shortage of options. You’ll have the best results by basing your criteria on brands that have:
- Many favorable, non-incentivized reviews: User opinions are accurate indicators of good CBD products. Be sure to consider the good and bad reviews before picking a brand. Don’t forget to ask friends and family members who use CBD for anxiety for their recommendations.
- Lab testing and legitimate results: Lab results ensure CBD products are safe for human consumption and confirm that the amount of CBD and THC is within legal limits. Stay away from companies that don’t test their products or release legitimate results.
- Excellent customer service and high-quality products: Fast shipping, affordable prices, and quality CBD products are the hallmark of a reputable brand. Choosing a company with a proven track record will make your experience much easier.
The last thing you want is to purchase CBD products that are unsafe, taste bad, or are low-quality. You should choose a company that boasts consistent quality CBD products no matter the form.
The Other Path and our CBD products meet these criteria. You can enjoy a safe, relaxing experience when using our products.
Selecting CBD Products
CBD products come in many different forms. Edible CBD products are popular, while traditional methods are also convenient. You’ll find everything from smokables to beauty products at The Other Path.
It may take a while before you find a method of using CBD for anxiety that you like. Because CBD flower is similar to marijuana without the psychoactive effects, many CBD users enjoy smoking or vaping it. You can enjoy CBD in several forms, including:
- CBD oil
- Capsules
- CBD concentrates
- Tinctures
- CBD vaping products
- Gummies, candy, and other edibles
- CBD beverages and infused drink syrups
- CBD joints and cigarettes
Because CBD products are not FDA-regulated, purchasing products with falsely advertised CBD and THC levels can be easy. It’s imperative to check each product’s lab results for THC and CBD information before using. Choosing a reputable brand will significantly reduce your risk of purchasing an unsafe product.
Depending on the form of CBD you take, you may feel the effects in minutes or hours. If your product has added flavors, terpenes, and other cannabinoids, this will also affect your experience. Those with digestive issues may find that edibles don’t affect them.
How to Dose CBD for Anxiety
There isn’t any ideal dose for CBD for anxiety. Starting with a small amount will prevent you from having a bad experience. A 2019 study indicated that CBD doses between 300 mg and 600 mg can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms.
You should begin with a tiny amount to ensure no adverse reactions. For beginners using oils, tinctures, capsules, or edibles, a 5mg dose is a good starting point.
CBD must build up in the body for you to feel its effects, which is why you may not feel CBD’s calming effects until after a few uses. You should begin with a small dose of measurable CBD and gradually increase your intake daily or every few days to introduce your cannabinoid system to these changes with limited side effects.
Patients with severe symptoms may need high doses of CBD to treat their anxiety and stress. Finding a dosage amount that relieves your symptoms with measurable products is relatively easy. Gummies, capsules, and tinctures offer a certain amount of CBD per serving, while you’ll need to rely on your better judgment when smoking and vaping CBD flowers.
CBD Side Effects and Potential Risks
While CBD for anxiety offers many relaxing benefits, it also comes with side effects and potential risks, like any medicine. Using CBD responsibly will help you get the most benefits from it.
Side Effects of CBD Use
Generally, there are few side effects from taking CBD for anxiety. A 2017 review indicated that participants taking CBD doses up to 1,500 mg could function normally with these side effects. In high doses, you may experience:
- Drowsiness and fatigue
- Weight changes
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
CBD Risks
There is little information on the risks of using CBD. CBD may interact with some medications, including warfarin (Coumadin). It’s best to speak with your doctor before using CBD to ensure you have no adverse drug interactions.
CBD may interact with the following types of drugs:
- Antidepressants
- Opioids
- Antipsychotics
- Antihistamines
- Benzodiazepines
It’s also unknown whether CBD negatively affects pregnant or nursing women. In general, doctors recommend pregnant people not use it.
More THC Than Advertised
A substantial risk of using CBD for anxiety is the CBD and THC content. It’s not uncommon for online sellers to improperly advertise their CBD products. Some companies even fake their lab results and lie about potency or ingredients.
You may purchase products with more THC than the label or lab results say. Depending on where you live, this can have serious repercussions. The Other Path only sells products with legitimate lab results.
Appearance on Drug Tests
Drug tests don’t screen for CBD, but they do screen for THC. Depending on the amount of THC in a CBD product, drug tests may register positive for THC. Be sure to get a pure CBD product to avoid these inconveniences.
Discover The Other Path
The Other Path is a top CBD provider with knowledgeable, friendly experts. Whether you use CBD for anxiety and stress or another ailment, our team can advise you on the best products we offer. Contact us for more information on CBD.
