CBD for Anxiety and Coping Through These Tough Times
The current state of the world is undoubtedly a stressful situation. With uncertainty in the air, those who regularly or even occasionally deal with anxiety are more likely to experience anxious episodes. Even those without an official anxiety diagnosis are starting to notice signs of stress and anxiety eating into their lives.
Although you may not realize it, CBD has the potential to reduce your anxiety, especially when combined with other healthy habits.
Research on CBD and Anxiety
Research on CBD and its ability to reduce anxiety is still in the early stages, but it is promising so far.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse cited studies that show CBD could reduce stress in rats and other animals, indicating a potential for similar results in humans. In the study, CBD reduced behavioral indications of anxiety as well as physiological symptoms, such as heart rate.
In 2011, researchers found that consuming 400 milligrams of CBD decreased the anxiety of participants dealing with a social anxiety disorder.
Some studies show CBD has the potential to reduce specific symptoms associated with PTSD, including anxiety and nightmares.
Even though the initial research is promising, more still needs to be done as it is far from conclusive.
Potential Side Effects
The good news is that there are insignificant side effects associated with consuming CBD for most people, so trying it to help your anxiety has minimal risk. You may notice changes in appetite or weight, diarrhea, or fatigue.
CBD can also interact with certain medications. If you take a medicine that has a grapefruit warning, do not take CBD without consulting your doctor.
How Much CBD to Take for Anxiety
If you want to try taking CBD for anxiety, you will want to start with a small dose and work your way up if you do not notice any effects. This reduces your chances of adverse effects and saves you money. You should never assume that just because you know someone who takes a certain dose, you should take the same one. Your ideal dosage depends on numerous factors, including your metabolism and overall body chemistry.
CBD Is Legal
With the legal gray area regarding cannabis, many people wonder whether CBD is legal since it can come from the same plant. The good news is that CBD products are permitted at the federal level, as long as they are made from hemp instead of cannabis and containing less than 0.3 percent THC.
Other Ways to Cope
For the best results when trying to deal with anxiety and cope with these uncertain and tough times, you should combine trying CBD with other relaxation and stress-relief methods.
Try reducing your intake of caffeine and alcohol, as both can make anxiety worse or even trigger panic attacks. Try to eat consistent well-balanced meals instead of skipping them. If you feel overly anxious in a given moment, you should count slowly to 10 and repeat it if you need to. You can also try taking deep breaths. Make it a point to remind yourself that your best is enough. Life and your efforts do not have to be perfect as long as you try as hard as you can. Take this a step further and be proud of the small things you achieve.
