What Are the Side Effects of Taking CBD Oil for Anxiety?
Coping with anxiety is like being
on a never-ending rollercoaster of mixed emotions, largely consisting of fear
and panic. Anxiety is experienced by almost everyone at one point or another,
but when it becomes a permanent thing, it needs to be dealt with. In the past,
we would have to rely on prescription medication in order to temporarily
overcome bouts of stress and anxiety, but sadly the side-effects of
pharmaceutical drugs can make anxiety even worse—not to mention prescription
medications are riddled with side effects like insomnia and weight gain.
With more media coverage focusing
on how certain medications and chemical-based products can actually make you
ill, instead of helping you overcome medical and emotional issues, many people
find themselves on a quest to find natural methods of freeing themselves from
the bonds of anxiety.
Does CBD Oil Actually Work to Overcome Anxiety?
In short, yes. Like with medical
marijuana for such illnesses as Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress
disorder, seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, Dravet syndrome, blood pressure,
chronic pain, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, there is still a
lot of research on the effects of cannabidiol and CBD products that need to be
completed in order to determine exactly how it works and how effective it is,
but there is pretty much an entire global movement advocating the use of CBD
for anxiety. Why? Well, because the benefits of CBD are clear! Furthermore, CBD
oil can also be used to combat issues like insomnia and overthinking, which are
known to enhance anxiety.
To put your mind at rest here is what the medical industry knows about the effects of CBD oil on anxiety thus far:
A minor study performed in 2010
discovered that cannabidiol is capable of reducing the symptoms of social anxiety
in those suffering from anxiety disorders. This came to light as a result of
the brain scans done on the participants of the study, which revealed changes
in blood flow in the parts of the brain that are linked to feeling anxiety. In
this particular study, CBD made the subjects feel much better, as well as
changing the way that their brains responded to anxiety triggers.
In 2011, another study showed
that CBD could massively reduce anxiety related to public speaking. There was a research paper
published in 2014 stating that CBD oil had antidepressant effects on lab
subjects.
Finally, the analysis of previous
studies conducted on CBD oil concluded that it could be an excellent treatment
option for anxiety disorders, including severe ones like PTSD.
Are There Any Side Effects from Taking CBD for Anxiety?
As you are probably already
aware, research that has been performed on the use of pure cannabis suggests
that it could have harmful effects, especially when smoked. Interestingly,
though, research that specifically focuses on CBD has not found any noteworthy
negative side effects, making CBD oil an excellent option for those who have
been put off prescription anxiety meds following bad experiences with
them.
It is worth taking into account
that not every state in America has legalized CBD oil. Many have legalized the
use of cannabis overall and some states only permit the use of CBD for medical
reasons. Therefore, the worst side effect you could experience as a result of
using CBD oil is a penalty if you are caught using it and it isn’t permitted in
your state.
Whilst CBD oil doesn’t produce
negative side effects, your body may take time to adjust to it. Taking a higher
dose right away might cause you a stomach upset, which is why we recommend
starting out with a smaller dose.
Will CBD Oil Make Me High?
Providing you select the correct
strain of CBD oil or CBD tincture for an anxiety disorder or pain, it won’t
make you high. This is because CBD reduces the psychoactive effects of THC
(another compound of marijuana) so even though THC can be beneficial when using
CBD to cure some ailments, you will never have to worry about finding the oil that
is made up of THC on its own. That said, some particular strains that are
higher in THC might cause you to feel slightly drowsy and gently euphoric, in
which case you will need to ensure you only take it when you are at home with
no plans to operate machinery or a vehicle.
The best way to see if CBD will
work to cure your anxiety is to try it. It is 100% safe and it can be used
alongside existing medication and other homeopathic remedies. Specific strains
have now been developed to target the effects of anxiety and depression, so it
is worth spending some time doing some research on which strain appeals most to
you. Once you have found an oil you like the sound of, then make sure you buy
it from a reputable provider to ensure that the quality is up to standard and
that it is completely organic.
Final Thoughts
Even though many people have been
self-medicating with CBD oil for years, there is still relatively little
information disclosing just how powerful it can be when used to heal illnesses.
Some people think that CBD has been largely kept out of the mainstream media,
due to Big Pharma wanting to protect their products and others simply jump to
conclusions and write it off as soon as they learn it is derived from cannabis.
That aside, there is still enough medical evidence to determine that CBD is not
only safe to use, it is also highly effective as a remedy to a multitude of disorders,
both emotional and physical.
This article by Madeleine Taylor
is originally published at SundayScaries.