Anxiety is something that many people – even more than we often realise – struggle with on a daily basis. If you’re facing that same struggle, just know that there is nothing wrong with you, and you are by no means alone. You just need to learn how to deal with it, and find solutions that help you manage your feelings of anxiety. One of our favourite solutions, CBD oil.
Using CBD oil for medical purposes has become more popular over the years. Whether you’re considering CBD oil for pain treatment, sleep, anxiety, or even cancer, it is slowly but surely becoming more normalised, accessible and recommended. You can even find CBD oil for kids and pets!
If you’re looking at using CBD specifically for anxiety, and you’re not exactly sure what it is or what it does, look no further. We’re here to guide you on all things CBD and how it can help you ease your anxiety.
CBD for Anxiety
As the world develops and the hustle and bustle of life increases year after year, so does our stress. More and more people are finding themselves battling anxiety. One thing that can help to reduce your anxiety is CBD oil and we’re here to explain how.
Anxiety is becoming more common among adults, teenagers, and children. If you are experiencing higher stress levels than usual, it’s important to understand what anxiety is. We also recommend always consulting a medical professional before self-diagnosing. Once you’ve received a proper diagnosis, you can consider the next steps you need to take to treat and ease your anxiety.
Using CBD oil can be beneficial in treating anxiety and its related mental health issues. These include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (ODC), insomnia and depression.
To put it simply, CBD is able to alter your serotonin levels. Serotonin is the primary hormone that affects our moods, sleep, digestion and behaviour. When you are experiencing low levels of serotonin, feelings of anxiety and even depression are more likely to arise. Using CBD can stabilize your serotonin levels therefore easing your anxiety.
What is CBD Oil?
Let’s start with the meaning of CBD and what it is exactly. CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a cannabinoid. A cannabinoid is a natural compound found in cannabis plants. CBD oil can promote and aid health and wellness without the intoxicating and psychoactive effects typically associated with cannabis.
CBD vs THC
What most people are concerned about when looking into using CBD oil for medical reasons, is the above-mentioned associations of marijuana as a psycho-active substance. Cannabis plants contain almost 100 cannabinoids, of which the two most spoken about are THC and CBD.
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the principal psychoactive compound of the cannabis sativa plant. Without THC, using cannabis is not intoxicating. By no means are we saying that the effects of THC oil aren’t beneficial too.
As you can see, using only the CBD compound of marijuana is very safe, in fact beneficial and even advised by many health professionals.
If you would like to read more on medical findings about anxiety treatment with CBD oil, click here.
CBD Oil Benefits & Side Effects
As mentioned before, CBD oil can be used to ease both physical and mental health issues in general, including those specifically related to anxiety. There are many benefits of cannabis oil, but of course, there are also some side effects.
Regarding the benefits of CBD oil, specifically related to anxiety, ultimately all you need to know is that it is known to reduce anxiety and symptoms thereof. Of course, as with anything, there are also possible side effects of using cannabis oil. Side effects include drowsiness, decreased appetite, diarrhea and changes in weight.
Overall, the CBD benefits and side effects should be both personally and professionally considered before making an informed decision.
Tips for Using CBD Oil to Treat Anxiety
After you’ve decided to buy CBD oil and use it in treating your anxiety, there are a handful of do’s and don’ts that you’ll want to remember.
ALWAYS Read the CBD Oil Bottle
If you don’t already do this with medication, we recommend you start. It is important to read the bottle, the back of the box or the pamphlet inside – especially regarding CBD.
Make Sure It’s Third-Party Tested
Before purchasing your CBD oil, make sure the brand and product you’re considering has been third-party tested. This ensures credibility and allows you to take the drops knowing that what you’re putting into your body is a-okay!
Take It Easy
Start slow and don’t rush into it. Consider the recommended dosage and be patient. You’ll go through a process of trial and error until you find the just-right amount for you.
Take Note of the Potency
While you’re reading the bottle and checking the dosage directions, consider the potency too. The higher the milligrams, the more potent, and the less often you want to use the drops.
Mix It Up
Who said you have to take CBD oil by putting a few drops on your tongue? Get creative and add it to your favourite recipes. As long as you use it at a low heat to avoid reducing the beneficial effects, you should be good. Salad dressing, brownies, smoothies, you name it – throw a few drops in there (according to dosage and potency), and enjoy.
CBD Oil Products for Anxiety
There are so many different CBD oils for anxiety in South Africa that we recommend, but to keep it simple, here are our top three picks:
If you’re not a huge fan of using CBD in an oil form, there are so many other options out there including CBD gummies – yum!
Final Thoughts on CBD Oil for Anxiety
There you have it: The all-you-need-to-know on CBD oil and how it can be used to help ease your anxiety. Whether you’re struggling with generalised anxiety disorder or fighting something deeper like post-traumatic stress disorder, cannabis oil is sure to ease your symptoms and help you remain calm.
Once again, please consult a medical professional before self-diagnosing.
Other than that, all we have to say is: Keep calm and CBD on.