What Exactly Is CBD Oil & How Can It Treat Anxiety?
Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD Oil, has taken the medical industry by storm in the past few years. Advertisements for CBD products can be seen on social media, magazines, television and more. As the industry grows, it is important to educate oneself on what CBD is and what it can help with.
Nowadays, companies are getting creative with CBD and are finding different ways for consumers to use this natural treatment to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety.
What Is CBD?
Before we go into depth about what CBD can do for anxiety, it is important to know exactly what CBD is. Healthline.com describes CBD as one of the 100 cannabinoids found in marijuana or cannabis plants. However, CBD does not include the psychoactive cannabinoid known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a.k.a. the compound that produces one to feel “high.”
CBD can be ingested orally through oil drops (tinctures), capsules, vapes, edibles and gummies. It can also be absorbed into the skin through creams and sprays.
There are also different types of CBD: isolate, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum.
Isolate CBD is the purest form of CBD. All other compounds, such as terpenes, flavonoids, plant parts, and other cannabinoids are removed and it is usually extracted from hemp plants, according to a Medium article by Aaron Cadena.
Full-spectrum is the exact opposite of isolate as all other compounds (i.e. terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids) are left in this type of CBD. According to Cadena, having all the compounds extracted together, helps to amplify the benefits of each cannabinoid that is extracted. This type of CBD also has small amounts of THC in it.
Broad-spectrum is a mix between isolate and full-spectrum, according to Cadena. It is similar to full-spectrum in the aspect that other extracts are kept in this type of CBD, however, THC is not present.
How CBD Helps With Anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental disorder that millions of people suffer from on a daily basis. It can affect day-to-day living and people often use medication and/or therapy to help them cope with anxiety. But, people nowadays are turning to CBD as a natural remedy.
Healthline.com states, “CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for both depression and anxiety, leading many who live with these disorders to become interested in this natural approach.”
In another Healthline article, they back-up this claim by mentioning the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) tested CBD on rats and other animals with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and they experienced a decrease in stress and anxiety symptoms.
Healthline notes that CBD helps with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and is thought to help alter the serotonin levels, thus changing the level to help reduce anxiety
It is important to know that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) still hasn’t approved CBD as an effective treatment. However, many people describe how it has helped them with many ailments, including anxiety.
Conclusion
CBD may affect others differently depending on their age, weight, and other medical elements. Always talk to a doctor to see if CBD is right to help treat your anxiety and what type of form and dosage is best for you. Also, let your doctor know if you are taking any prescriptions as the CBD may affect you when mixing with certain medications.
There are many different types of CBD companies out there. Always do your research to ensure your company that you buy from is legit and has the right type of CBD products to help with your anxiety. Usually, the companies that sell CBD at a higher price are better quality, so you do get what you pay for.
About the Author
Lauren Klesser is the Content Marketing Strategist for Half Day CBD, a thoughtfully-curated brand of organic hemp-derived products like CBD oils, CBD vape, and CBD gummies, which are designed to help manage pain, anxiety, stress and sleep issues. In her spare time, she plays axe throwing and escape games with her family and friends.