A few years ago, the suggestion of taking a cannabis derivative to relieve anxiety symptoms would have raised more than a few eyebrows. The herb, which is used both recreationally and medicinally, is notorious for its psychoactive effects, which have been linked to short-term increases in anxiety and paranoia. However, recent scientific breakthroughs have shown us that cannabis does not function in the body as a single entity, and that the plant’s compounds can produce starkly contrasting effects.
Nowhere is this more obvious than with the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The former is psychoactive, and it is the mind-altering effects that come from taking it which are associated with anxiety. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and does not alter consciousness.
However, what it is very effective at doing is easing anxiety, by balancing brain chemistry between excitation and inhibition. Overexcited brains are more prone to anxiety, as the overfiring of nerve impulses can trigger overthinking and other unhelpful thought patterns. CBD treats this imbalance by activating GABA neurotransmitters. These inhibitory neurotransmitters work to stop the excessive impulse firing, promoting a calmer and more relaxed psychological state.
While clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of CBD for anxiety, several isolated pieces of research have been carried out in recent times. These have demonstrated the practical benefits of using CBD for anxiety, in particular for people with social anxiety. Researchers have also looked more closely at the mechanisms in which CBD alleviates anxiety, as the condition is still not completely understood.
Now that you have an understanding of the science behind CBD and anxiety, let’s look at how you can benefit from the cannabinoid, by taking CBD wholesale products.
Use fast-acting CBD products
Anxiety can be incredibly paralyzing – it can feel as if the mind has ceased to work properly. When you’re in such a troublesome condition, it’s essential that any anti-anxiety treatment you use brings relief quickly. This is the only way that symptoms can be suppressed well enough so that you can maintain a good quality of life.
While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs are poor at doing this, there are certain CBD products that provide much more useful benefits. The therapeutic effects from tincture oils and vape juices are noticeable within a few minutes of consumption.
This is no coincidence – the sublingual absorption and inhalation intake methods essentially fast tracks the CBD into the bloodstream. Once it’s active, the cannabinoids pass into the brain through the blood-brain barrier, something that not all chemicals are capable of, and then starts to work on boosting GABA. Concentrates are more potent, and can also be vaporized for quick anxiety relief.
Vaporizing is slightly more efficient than tincture oils, but vaping does pose a few health risks – although on the evidence we have, nowhere near as many as smoking. Vaporizing is not permitted in all public areas either because of the vapor clouds – and in the case of some CBD e-liquids, they smell like cannabis. Therefore, tincture oils can be a more discreet way to use CBD for anxiety if you need to do so in public.
It’s most important to get the cannabinoids into the body as quickly as possible. While capsules and edibles are perfect for sustained relief they do not work instantly.
Get to know your triggers
Anxiety can be worse if you aren’t fully aware of what’s triggering it – that’s why it helps to become mindful of the mental disorder. If you can take a step back from the rollercoaster of your thoughts, you may begin to understand which situations are prone to setting off your anxiety. Sometimes these are obvious, such as a social gathering for somebody with social anxiety. But on other occasions, the symptoms may be more pernicious.
However, once you’ve done this groundwork, you can start to stop an anxiety outbreak in its tracks before it can take a vice-like grip on your mind. For instance, if you know that you’re meeting people later, take a dose of CBD around half an hour beforehand. The calming effects will have already set in before the anxiety starts to balloon. You may still get a few nerves, but at least they’ll be much more manageable.
Final thoughts
Hopefully this article has demonstrated why CBD can help with anxiety, and how you can use various CBD products to your benefit. As more funding is made available for CBD research, expect to hear more about the cannabinoid’s benefits for anxiety.