If you experience anxiety, you’re not alone — according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it’s the country’s most common mental illness. Forty million adults deal with anxiety disorders, which counts for roughly 18.1 percent of the population.
The silver lining to all this is the fact that others have uncovered remedies to help assuage their stress, fear and other anxious emotions. One such potential remedy is CBD. In recent years, it has become a popular all-natural
If you’re wondering if CBD can help decrease anxiety, read on — we have the answer.
What’s CBD?
Let’s quickly review what CBD is before diving into its benefits.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it’s one of the nearly 200 cannabinoids derived from the marijuana plant. Don’t get it confused with the weed that people smoke or bake into edibles, though.
CBD doesn’t contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. That means you won’t feel the headrush or high that you’d get from weed. You just get the relaxing vibes — and that fact should help you begin to see the benefits of CBD for anxiety.
Can CBD Decrease Anxiety?
The short answer here is yes, it seems like it can.
There hasn’t been sufficient research into the effects of CBD to say with certainty that it can soothe anxious feelings or stress. However, it seems promising — and that’s enough for many people to give it a try.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has said that CBD has shown promise in reducing anxiety in rats. Researchers saw the animals’ physiological signs of anxiety, such as high heart rates, subside.
This study applied specifically to generalized anxiety disorder. However, other preliminary studies have shown CBD to be a potential treatment for those with social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and insomnia.
A 2011 study saw participants with social anxiety disorder take either a placebo or 400 milligrams of CBD. Those in the latter group felt a decrease in their anxiety levels.
Other studies have shown that CBD helps those with PTSD to neutralize some of their symptoms. For example, CBD has helped them sleep without nightmares or replay negative memories in their minds.
How Do I Try CBD for Anxiety and Stress?
Again, studies have yet to confirm CBD as a bona fide treatment for anxiety, in spite of the anecdotal and preliminary evidence out there. Still, you might be convinced by these early findings — and ready to try CBD for yourself.
If so, start by talking to your doctor about it. They can ensure that your daily dose won’t interfere with other medications.
Then, you might have to go through a bit of trial and error to decide how much CBD you should take. Most experts suggest starting with a small amount, 20 to 40 mg. After that, you’d increase your intake by a few milligrams each week until you feel soothed and satisfied.
Overcome Anxiety With the Help of CBD
Research has shown promising results as people seek to decrease anxiety with CBD. So, you might want to try it yourself and see if it works. Once you have your doctor’s clearance to do so, it can’t hurt to try and overcome your anxiety with the help of CBD.
Have you used CBD for stress, anxious emotions or any other symptoms? Let us know in the comments below.
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