does cbd work for anxiety?
does cbd work for anxiety?

Does CBD really work for anxiety? If you are new to CBD, you may have heard that CBD can help treat the symptoms associated with anxiety, but is this true, and if so, how does it work? First, let’s talk about what anxiety is and the symptoms associated with the condition. Then, we will explain how CBD works to relieve these symptoms. Finally, we will explain the best CBD options for anxiety and how to use them to experience the relief you are looking for.

What is anxiety? 

According to the Mayo Clinic, “people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.” There are 40 million Americans — about 18 percent — who have an anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Safety, health and finances consistently rank as the highest sources of anxiety.

Anxiety manifests itself differently for everyone, but common symptoms include:

  • Feeling nervous, restless or tense
  • Feeling a sense of danger, panic or doom
  • Trembling or sweating
  • Increased heart rate
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea
  • Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
  • Struggling to control the worrying
  • Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Gastrointestinal problems

How does CBD help with anxiety?

Research has highlighted a potential role of CBD in alleviating symptoms of anxiety across a variety of anxiety-related disorders including:

CBD may mitigate anxiety through its impact on specific chemical systems of the brain. Imaging studies on the brain have shown that CBD leads to patterns of activity that are consistent with lowering of anxiety.

A 2011 study focused specifically on people with SAD and the effects CBD had on their symptoms. Those who participated in the study were given either an oral dose of 400 mg of CBD or a placebo. The participants who received the CBD said they experienced reduced anxiety levels.

How to use CBD for anxiety

We recommend starting with a full spectrum CBD extract (CBD oil) taken sublingually one to two times per day. Sublingually means placing the oil under your tongue using the dropper and holding it there for 60-90 seconds, or until the oil has been absorbed.

CBD extracts tend to have the highest bioavailability among CBD products, meaning they are absorbed into your bloodstream at a higher percentage than CBD foods or beverages.

How To Take CBD for Anxiety: Sublingual and Oral Applications

There are a few methods for taking CBD oil to address anxiety, and it’s crucial to understand the pros and cons of each, especially regarding CBD bioavailability—the rate at which CBD enters your bloodstream.

  1. Sublingual Application: This method involves using a dropper to place CBD oil under your tongue. By holding the oil under your tongue for 60-90 seconds, you allow the CBD to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream via the sublingual gland, bypassing the digestive system. This method offers quicker effects compared to swallowing. CBD edibles, such as caramels, chocolates, or other candies, also utilize sublingual absorption when they dissolve in your mouth.

  2. Oral Application: You can also take CBD orally in the form of capsules, similar to other medications. This method is convenient for consistent dosing and avoids the taste and texture of CBD oil. However, since the CBD must pass through the digestive system, it takes longer to take effect. Additionally, the process of digestion and metabolism reduces the bioavailability of CBD, meaning that a smaller amount reaches your bloodstream.

Each method has its own benefits and considerations, so choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.

Research into the bioavailability of CBD suggests that products taken orally are associated with a bioavailability of less than 20%. What this means is, in order to attain the same level of relief, the concentration or dose of CBD products taken orally needs to be higher than what would be required if you took your CBD sublingually, for example.

Our top full spectrum CBD products

We carry a range of full spectrum CBD products including:

We are committed to education and strive to provide you with the most reliable research and information about CBD’s benefits. We recommend that you read our 5 Key Considerations When Buying CBD Oil article before purchasing CBD, and please contact us with any questions.