CBD For Anxiety - What is CBD and how to use it for anxiety

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most researched cannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa plant. The other well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Along with CBD and THC, the Cannabis sativa plant contains over 540 chemical compoundsTrusted Source.

Cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, bind to special cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

THC produces the famous ‘high’ feeling that people associate with weed. However, CBD does not produce this effect. Instead, it offers a variety of potential health benefits.

Current researchTrusted Source suggests that CBD has powerful pharmacological effects. Many scientists and researchers know that CBD has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. It works by blocking certain enzymes that trigger inflammation in the body.

A 2020 systematic review in CNS Drugs found that treatment with CBD reduced seizures in people with Dravet Syndrome, a drug-resistant seizure disorder.

The growing legalization of medical cannabis in the U.S. has prompted many scientists to carry out studies into the various therapeutic uses of cannabis and CBD.

One major question among healthcare professionals is whether CBD can alleviate anxiety disorders.

According to an article in Dialogues of Clinical NeuroscienceTrusted Source, anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)Trusted Source estimate that 19.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year, and more women experience anxiety than men.

Learn more about the potential health benefits of CBD here.

According to the authors of one 2015 reviewTrusted Source, CBD interacts with the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), the serotonin 5-HT_1A receptor, and other receptors in the brain that regulate fear and anxiety-induced behaviors.

The authors of the review also found preclinical and clinical evidence that established CBD as an effective treatment for numerous types of anxiety disorders, including:

• generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• panic disorder (PD)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• social anxiety disorder (SAD)

In a more recent 2020 studyTrusted Source, researchers evaluated CBD’s effects in 397 adults living in New Zealand. The study participants received medical CBD prescriptions for a variety of ailments, including non-cancer pain, cancer-related symptoms, neurological symptoms, and mental health symptoms.

All groups reported improvements in their overall quality of life after 3 weeks of CBD treatment. The individuals who received CBD treatment for anxiety or depression reportedly experienced improvements in their ability to perform daily functions and reduce pain and anxiety or depression symptoms.

70% of study participants reported some level of satisfaction with CBD treatment, ranging from good to excellent. Only 9.9% of participants experienced adverse side effects, such as sedation and vivid dreams. An even smaller portion of the study population (0.8%) reported worsening symptoms.

In a retrospective studyTrusted Source, researchers evaluated the effects of CBD treatment in 72 adults with either anxiety or sleep problems.

The majority of study participants received one 25 milligram capsule of CBD once a day (mg/d). A few participants received 50 or 75 mg/d. One individual with a history of trauma and schizoaffective disorder received up to 175 mg/d.

After the first 2 months of CBD treatment, 78.1–79.2% of participants reported improvements in anxiety symptoms. However, 15.3–19.5% of participants developed worse symptoms after CBD treatment.

The authors of one 2020 article reviewed eight studies investigating CBD’s role in treating various anxiety disorders.

The authors found evidence to support the use of CBD as an effective monotherapy or complementary therapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, the studies showed considerable variation in CBD doses, ranging from 6-400 mg per dose. This variation highlights the need for more high-quality, large-scale clinical trials to help establish standardized dosing and clinical usage guidelines for CBD therapy.

How to use

As previously mentioned, researchers and healthcare professionals have yet to establish standardized dosing recommendations for CBD therapy.

In a 2019 study, researchers found that 300–600 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in 57 adult males.

The dosage that a person takes to relieve anxiety depends on the CBD product and how they administer it.

CBD administration methods include:

• oil
• sublingual spray
• capsules
• edibles
• vaporized oil or cannabis flowers

The administration method determines how quickly cannabinoids begin taking effect.

The effects of orally administered CBD, such as oils, edibles, or capsules, begin working within 30 minutes to 2 hours. Smoking or vaping CBD oil or cannabis buds results in more immediate effects.

People can use oral CBD products to relieve anxiety throughout the day. It may help to take these products in the morning with some food.

Smoking or vaping CBD oil can provide immediate relaxation that may help people during especially stressful events, such as giving a speech.

Learn more about CBD dosage here.

Risks and side effects

The authors of this 2019 reviewTrusted Source confirmed that people could tolerate CBD well even at doses as high as 1,500 mg/day. The data on the long-term safety of CBD are limited. Some side effects associated with CBD include:

• drowsiness
• decreased appetite
• diarrhea
• changes in weight

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source do not regulate CBD for treating anxiety or other mental health conditions. People should use their best judgment when purchasing CBD products. Only buy products from reputable manufactures and distributors.

Summary

An ever-growing body of research suggests that CBD may help relieve anxiety, the most common mental health disorder.

However, the FDA do not regulate CBD for treating anxiety. This means that the quality and dosage can vary widely between products and manufacturers.

People who currently use prescription medication or supplements may want to consult a doctor before using CBD.