How To Use CBD Oil for Anxiety
Anxiety is a common problem in today’s world that affects millions of people of all ages and genders. While anxiety is a normal reaction by the body when it experiences moments of fear and worry, the problems starts when the thoughts of fear and worry get out of hand and evolve into what is known as clinical anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety disorders have become the most prevalent forms of mental illness in the United States, affecting nearly 40 million people who are over the age of 18. This is close to 19% of the entire country’s population. To make it worse, anxiety can prevent you from going about your usual day to day activities and can also have a detrimental effect on your health and well-being if not treated appropriately.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a form of mental illness that is made up of many different types of disorders such as social anxiety, panic disorder, general anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The main symptoms of clinical anxiety include feelings of worry or fear, in most cases, due to future events. Anxiety can manifest itself in different ways such as frequent headaches and migraines, restlessness and unease, excessive and obsessive worrying, ruminating (repeatedly focusing on negative thoughts), muscle tension, feelings of fatigue or lethargy, frequent indigestion, poor sleep quality, insomnia or inability to get sleep at all.
The anxiety disorders mentioned above are all curable. However, very few people (approximately 37% of those affected) seek treatment. Individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders are 6 times more likely to be admitted into psychiatric care than those who don’t have them. Clinical anxiety develops as a result of exposure to different risk factors such as genetics, personality, life events, and brain chemistry. To make matters worse, nearly 50% of those diagnosed with anxiety are also diagnosed with depression.
How Does CBD Oil Help With Anxiety?
CBD oil is derived from the Hemp plant. The Cannabis plant is currently legalized for cultivation in all states in the U.S as per the Farm Bill that was passed in 2018. CBD and THC are by far the most popular cannabinoids in the Hemp plant. THC is known for its psychoactive effects while CBD is known for its medicinal properties. However, both offer a wide range of health benefits, but most people prefer CBD because it doesn’t cause any psychoactive side effects. CBD is currently used in the professional medical industry and in the alternative treatments sector. Those who have been opposed to the use of cannabis due to its psychoactive properties are now starting to embrace CBD because it lacks the psychoactive trait while maintaining its numerous beneficial properties. This change in perception has led to CBD being quickly used in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses, including mental disorders such as anxiety. With how things are going, it’s expected that all cannabis products will be legalized by the year 2020.
Recent studies have revealed that CBD’s inherent properties have a positive effect on people suffering from clinical anxiety and depression. The studies have established that CBD oil has the capacity to alleviate stress and reduce anxiety by activating serotonin receptors in the brain. By doing this, CBD enhances the production of serotonin which is the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and overall well-being. Some scientists have even noted that the effects of CBD oil occur faster than those of conventional anxiety treatments such as antidepressants. Traditional medications for anxiety are known to cause a wide range of negative side effects such as insomnia, sexual problems, drowsiness, and many others. This makes them unsuitable for long term use in managing anxiety disorders.
CBD oil has been thoroughly tested and proven to be safe for different types of anxiety disorders. It has no side effects and is therefore an excellent alternative for those who seek healthier treatment solutions for their condition. While CBD has only gained prevalence in the U.S. in recent years, it has been used for many centuries in many other parts of the world as a natural treatment for various illnesses.
Use and Dosage for Anxiety
Some of the common questions that are posed by those who are new to CBD oil are how do you use it and how much do you use? Well, the amount depends on the desired effect an individual wants to achieve. Some people may experience a difference with just a few mg while others may take considerably more. It’s crucial that you talk to a doctor before using CBD oil for anxiety, especially if you are already on other medications. Identifying the most effective dosage is also crucial and you should consider some personal factors such as weight, height, and any medical conditions you may have. Everyone is unique in their anatomy and physiology, and it’s crucial that you remember this when determining your CBD oil dosage. Remember, there is the possibility of CBD interfering with the potency of other medications you may be taking, so it’s very important that you speak to your physician before going ahead with this alternative treatment.
A popular approach that many people seem to take is beginning with a small dosage and then gradually increasing it with time. It’s better to take less than too much. You should also take into account how sever your condition is. If a small dosage is not sufficient to manage your symptoms, you can try taking it up a notch until you experience your desired effect. Always pay keen attention to how you feel and take note of any changes you may experience in your body. CBD takes some time to be absorbed into the body, so a few minutes to see whether you need to up your dosage or not.
Alternatively, you can try to spread your dosage into smaller quantities that you take at regular intervals throughout the day. Doing this may help improve the absorption rate of the oil thereby making it more effective. To ensure optimal results, it’s recommended that you only use high-quality CBD oil that is derived from high quality hemp that is preferably grown domestically. You must ensure that you know exactly where your CBD product is coming from and you should only buy from a source that is reliable and trustworthy and whose products are third party lab tested to make sure you are getting what is on the label. Your source should only provide you with high-quality CBD products that will help you manage your anxiety disorder without any negative side effects.