CBD FOR ANXIETY (USES & DOSES FOR RELIEF)

CBD FOR ANXIETY: A GUIDE TO USE & DOSAGE

CBD oil for anxiety has been suggested to help with anxiety and anxiety-related symptoms. The CBD dosage for anxiety has been shown to have an inverse relationship: an increase in dosage, a decrease in anxiety. However, it is possible that CBD oil may have THC in it, which in this case, high doses of THC may increase your anxiety. CBD's effects on anxiety may provide users with a wide range of therapeutic benefits.

DOES CBD HELP FOR ANXIETY?

CBD does help for anxiety, according to recent clinical studies. For example, in 2010, Crippa and colleagues investigated the neural basis of the anxiety-reducing effects of CBD in those with a generalized anxiety disorder. Researchers not only found that CBD helped relieve feelings of anxiety, but CBD also changed the way the participants’ brains responded to anxiety. 

For instance, a 2015 review suggested strong support for CBD as a treatment for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

While there are hundreds and hundreds of studies showing that CBD may have therapeutic benefits for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, there is still much unknown about the brain mechanisms behind what reduces anxiety. 

Though physiological and neurological measures are being investigated, researchers are still somewhat stunned by the power of this magical herb in mental health and wellness.

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

Anxiety can be defined as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, or physical changes in blood pressure. 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common illness in the US today, affectingly nearly 40 million adults per year. 

TYPES 

There are numerous types of anxiety disorders, but we’ll be discussing the most common types today: social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder. 

SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER: This disorder causes intense fear about social interactions, often driven by irrational fears and worries about being humiliated.

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD): GAD creates chronic, exaggerated worrying about every day living. This worrying may consume hours and hours of your day, making it difficult to concentrate or complete daily tasks.

PHOBIAS: Certain events, places, or objects can create powerful reactions of irrational fear. 

PANIC DISORDER: Often commonly mistaken for a heart attack, a panic attack causes powerful physically-altering symptoms, including heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and stomach upsets.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY?

Anxiety disorders have one main thing in common: persistent, excessive fear, or worry in situations that are not threatening. 

EMOTIONAL

• Feeling tense or jumpy
• Feelings of dread
• Anticipating the worst
• Being watchful for signs of danger
• Restlessness or irritability

PHYSICAL

• Headaches, fatigue, insomnia
• Upset stomach, frequent urination, diarrhea
• Sweating, tremors, twitches
• Pounding heart
• Shortness of breath

WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF CBD ON ANXIETY?

CBD for anxiety has been preliminarily reported to support reductions in anxiety and stress. 

Serotonin levels, a chemical that helps with mental health regulation, including one’s mood, happiness, and, have been associated with one’s depression and anxiety levels. Low levels of serotonin have been commonly associated with anxiety and depression. 

Researchers investigated the involvement of serotonin in the brain in chronic pain-response rats with CBD dosages. Their results showed that repeated CBD administration decreased the rats’ escape response, suggesting a panic-reducing effect. 

A 1990 foundational study found that cannabidiol exerted anxiolytic effects in rats, with a wide range of dosages. Researchers suggested that CBD may cause various anti-anxiety effects, with multiple dosages.

Fast forward to 2019, a large case series investigated the role of cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep. 103 psychiatric clinic patients partook in this study, with 79.2% showing decreased anxiety scores with CBD treatment. 

CAN CBD CAUSE ANXIETY?

CBD may cause anxiety if levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are present. By nature, CBD is the non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, it won’t get users high. However, the same can’t be said for THC. THC is a psychoactive compound of the cannabis plant, exerting mind-altering effects in users. 

If a CBD oil has THC present, studies have suggested that THC may make users anxious, in high dosages. THC and CBD may exert opposite actions in users. Several studies have shown that CBD reduces the anxiety induced by high doses of THC. 

WHAT CBD DOSAGE IS GOOD FOR ANXIETY?

Clinically and federally, more work is needed to be done to provide a safe, accurate, and effective recommended dosage for cannabidiol.

The amount of CBD an individual may need will vary depending on their size, age, and sex. In most cases, it’s best to begin with a small amount of CBD to gauge your reaction. Then, increase or decrease how much you consume, accordingly. 

Always consult with your physician prior to starting any new supplements and or medications. 

WHICH CBD PRODUCTS HELP ANXIETY?

Here, at Nanocraft CBD, we’ve got a wide array of products that may just fit your needs. 

CBD TINCTURE OILS

Each of our CBD Drops contains measurement indicators on the droplet, up to 1.0 mL per full drop of high-quality CBD. You can hold the CBD oil dropper underneath your tongue for up to 90 seconds and swallow. We recommend taking just one full drop a day and deciding how it impacts you. 

CBD IMMUNE BOOST CAPSULES

These potent Immune Boost + CBD Softgels are powered by clinically proven Dry Yeast Fermentate, shown to strengthen cellular defense while providing respiratory support.

Within two hours, the active ingredients boost natural killer (NK) cells, block pathogens from passing the mucus membrane, and release a strong dose of antioxidants to fortify your body's defenses. Talk about a confidence boost for your immune system!

CBD SOFTGELS 

Each of our CBD capsules contains 25mg of high-quality CBD, with 30 capsules per bottle. We recommend taking just one capsule a day and deciding how it impacts you.

These CBD softgels are becoming increasingly popular amongst customers who are wanting to try cannabidiol, but don’t like the tincture taste or trying to manually calculate their dose with the dropper measuring lines.

MUSCLE & JOINT STICK

Our Muscle & Joint Stick is loaded with an impressive 500 mg of Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil, along with a wide array of calming herbs and soothing essential oils, to offer a sense of calm and well-being during times of recovery.

Utilizing Nanocraft’s Muscle & Joint CBD salve is as simple as applying deodorant. The salve stick comes in a deodorant like a delivery system that allows for easy usage without the mess. A few quick swipes to the affected area and you are on your way!

In most instances, customers apply our CBD Muscle & Joint Stick to their knees, elbows, wrists, or other areas (usually near areas where joints are located). CBD topical products may be used on a daily basis and may even be a preferred option for some customers.

 IS CBD SAFE FOR CHILD ANXIETY?

CBD for child anxiety is still in the beginning stages in regards to safety and efficacy. While there is anecdotal evidence for the benefits of CBD as a therapeutic tool, there are still risks associated with using cannabidiol products, especially for children.

According to the Child Mind Institute, CBD is still not yet certain as to what dosages are appropriate for children, as they may metabolize differently in the liver as to adults.  

Though the World Health Organization (WHO) has described cannabidiol as being “generally well tolerated with a good safety profile”, parents should still be hesitant and talk with your child’s physician prior to trying any supplement or CBD oil.  

IS CBD SAFE FOR PET ANXIETY?

CBD may be considered safe for pets, especially pets with anxiety. Cannabidiol has been found to be extremely safe for dogs, as it does not produce mind-altering effects in canines, unlike THC. 

A 2018 CBD and osteoarthritic dog study investigated the effects of CBD oil on canine pain. This clinical and pharmacokinetic study suggested that CBD, twice daily, was shown to help increase activity and comfort in dogs with osteoarthritis. 

Another interesting 2018 study investigated US veterinarians’ knowledge, experience, and perception regarding the use of CBD for dogs. Veterinarians included in this study suggested CBD for acute and chronic pain, anxiety relief, and decreasing seizure severity and frequency. 

Recent graduates and those working in recreationally legal marijuana states were more likely to agree that CBD should not be classified as a Schedule I drug. 

CBD FOR ANXIETY STUDY FINDINGS

CBD for anxiety is continuing to develop into fruition in the world of research and holistic medicine. CBD oil for anxiety studies have investigated different administrative methods of CBD, various doses of CBD, as well as different populations and sample sizes, including humans and animals alike. 

Recently, a 2020 study was published in Current Neuropharmacology investigating the “entourage effect” of cannabinoids for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.

This study suggested that endocannabinoids may exert clinical efficacy in treating anxiety disorders. 

* DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. It does not exploit or provide medical advice of any kind. Therefore, any reliance you place on the information below is strictly at your own risk. Please check with your medical provider before starting or changing a CBD routine.

Kirsten Thornhill, MS

Nanocraft Sciences

Content Writer x Physiologist x Researcher

Kirsten Thornhill was born and raised in a small farm town in Stanislaus County, California. Kirsten graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA. She is very passionate about human physiology and the metabolic and nutritional adaptations that occur during exercise in active individuals and athletes. Kirsten has specialized in maximal oxygen consumption testing in athletes and teaching laboratory, clinical, practical, and research applications of exercise testing to college students. She enjoys educating and informing people on the importance of lifetime movement, plant-based eating, and health research and development. Her passion for natural, lifestyle medicine enables her to strive when promoting health and education.

Sources: 

Blessings EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, Marmar CR. Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics. 2015.

Campos AC, Soares VP, et al. Involvement of serotonin-mediated neurotransmission in the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter on cannabidiol chronic effects in pain-responses in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2013. 

Crippa JA, Nerenusson GN, et al. Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2010. 

Ferber SG, Namdar D, Hen-Shoval D, et al. The “entourage effect”: Terpenes coupled with cannabinoids for the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2020. 

Gamble L, Boesch JM, Frye CW, Schwark WS, Mann S, et al. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical efficacy of cannabidiol treatment in osteoarthritic dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2018. 

Guimaraes FS, Chiaretti TM, Graeff FG, Zuardi AW. Antianxiety effect of cannabidiol in the elevated plus-maze. Psychopharmacology. 1990. 

Kogan L, Schoenfeld-Tacher R, et al. US veterinarians’ knowledge, experience, and perception regarding the use of cannabidiol for canine medical conditions. Front Vet Sci. 2018.

Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: A large case series. Perm J. 2019. 

Zuardi AW, Skirakawa I, et al. Action of cannabidiol on the anxiety and other effects produced by delta-9-THC in normal subjects. Psychopharmacology. 1982. 

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