As more people shun pharmaceutical medicine for anxiety and depression, we are witnessing a growing interest in alternative remedies such as CBD oil. But even as cannabidiol becomes a household name, millions of people are still in the dark when it comes to understanding what CBD oil is, and how it may be used to manage anxiety. So to kick things off, let's look at what anxiety is, and what CBD is, so as to gain a better understanding of how CBD oil can help manage this condition.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a state in which an individual becomes extremely sensitive to internal or external stimuli, either because of a spike in stress hormones or because of an apparent threat. Under normal circumstances, this reactive state can help to keep you safe when threats emerge, but what makes anxiety unique is the fact that an individual maintains this state indefinitely, while constantly experiencing the effects of stress hormones. As many as a thirds of the U.S. population experience anxiety regularly, and although most of these people have learned to live with it, a large number still find it difficult to go about their day-to-day life due to spikes in anxiety, with serious limitation to work and social life.

Why is Anxiety Dangerous?

As stated earlier, being anxious can be a useful evolutionary process because it keeps you alert through what's known as the fight-or-flight response. But what about when there's no immediate danger? What happens is, your body maintains those high levels of adrenaline and cortisol, causing massive shifts in your physiological processes.

How Could CBD Help With Depression?

What makes CBD unique, particularly in the treatment of anxiety, is the fact that it regulates the hormonal function and helps prevent any random spikes in adrenaline or cortisol. We mention cortisol mainly because of the destructive effects it has on normal health, especially in the muscles, where it causes muscle degeneration and increases the likelihood of acquiring injuries during training. This ability to normalize hormone production extends beyond stress hormones to things like mood and depression. Although we don't suggest that you stop taking medication for depression, there is a chance that using CBD oil can lead to increased feelings of wellness and positive vibes, following a boost in serotonin and the bliss hormone, anandamide.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

Cannabidiol works mainly through the endocrine system, and its counterpart, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS); a complex network of nerves, brain receptors, and endocannabinoids. By targeting brain receptors responsible for mood (CB1), cannabidiol is able to increase the production of "feel good" hormones, which ultimately leads to higher energy levels and feelings of optimism and positivity. Studies on CBD and other cannabinoids are still in the early stages, so there's a lot that we still don't know about how CBD oil impacts human health. Long-term studies are needed to determine how effective it is for treating conditions such as depression, and other conditions that require a combination of medicines and lifestyle changes.

How To Use CBD Oil For Treating Anxiety

The best way to maximize the effects of CBD oil is to start by gaining a better understanding of your anxiety and the situations that are likely to trigger the symptoms. In the case of social anxiety, you could start by taking a low dose of CBD oil an hour before leaving the house, and then gauge how you react when exposed to "known triggers". We don't expect this to be a perfectly seamless experience, but the only way to discover CBD oil's potential benefits is by experimenting with small doses of different CBD oils to see how your body responds.

Tips On Using CBD Oil For Anxiety

Take note of the THC content in your CBD oil, and whenever possible, avoid using products that have THC in excess of .3 per cent. This isn't only to observe the legal aspect (because by federal law CBD oil shouldn't contain more than 0.3% THC).

To help you identify the best products, keep this in mind when purchasing CBD oil:

CBD isolate contains cannabidiol alone, and none other compound found in hemp.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains most of the cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis, except for THC.
Full-spectrum CBD oil is just marijuana converted into an oil form.

When taking CBD oil for anxiety, there's a risk of exacerbating the symptoms if THC is present; because of its tendency to cause stress and paranoia. That being said, you may find relief from using products that contain multiple cannabinoids and terpenes (basically the collective compounds in cannabis) instead of just CBD alone. This comes from what's known as the "entourage effect", a process in which using multiple cannabinoids leads to more holistic treatment than using a single cannabinoid. Keep in mind that the human body naturally produces its own cannabinoids for managing physiological processes such sleep, hunger, mood, and so on. It is argued that using broad-spectrum CBD oil can lead to better results with conditions such as depression and anxiety because the body is better able to use the different compounds to generate relief.

Here are 5 decent CBD oils to use for anxiety:

RoyalCBD CBD Oil
NuLeaf Naturals CBD
Joy Organics CBD Tincture
HempBombs
CBDistillery

Bottom Line - Can CBD Help You?

The simple answer is yes. However, for CBD to be more effective, you may have to combine it with lifestyle changes that help reduce anxiety and depression. Read About: Different Ways To Take CBD oilDisclaimer: The statements, opinions, and data contained in these publications are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of Credihealth and the editor(s). Credihealth do not support any kind of drugs banned in India. Before taking any medicine, consult your doctor first or talk to Credihealth Medical expert for FREE.