CBD for Anxiety
Anxiety can affect individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is one of the most common mental health disorders globally with around 1 in 5 adults experiencing some form of anxiety in their lifetime. CBD has been shown to be highly effective in helping to ease anxiety and reduce stress, improving sleep that so often exacerbates anxiety, and promoting a general sense of calm and relaxation.
Recommended products for anxiety
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal and natural emotional response to stress or perceived threats. It is a feeling of unease, worry, or fear that can vary in intensity and duration. While it is normal to experience occasional anxiety, before a big event or during times of change, anxiety becomes a concern when it is persistent, excessive, and interferes with daily life.
Anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways and as a result the symptoms of anxiety can vary greatly between individuals. It can involve physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, stomach aches, and sleep disturbances; cognitive symptoms such as excessive worry, racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, fear of danger or losing control, irrational thoughts, and heightened awareness of potential threats; and/ or behavioural symptoms such as avoiding certain places or situations that trigger anxiety, social withdrawal, seeking reassurance, repetitive behaviours, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
Anxiety can also be experienced to differing degrees of severity, with disorders being diagnosed when anxiety symptoms are persistent, severe, and significantly impact life and wellbeing. Anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, and others.
Why CBD for anxiety?
CBD has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sleep and boost mood with users reporting feeling a sense of calm and relaxation.
CBD has been researched for a number of specific types of anxiety with a 2015 review of preclinical and clinical data concluding that evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and performance anxiety.
How does CBD help anxiety?
CBD interacts with receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including mood and stress response. By modulating the ECS, CBD promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety symptoms.
CBD also interacts with the serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, and low levels of serotonin are associated with anxiety and depression. By modulating serotonin receptor activity, CBD can help improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.
CBD has been shown to have stress-reducing effects by lowering cortisol levels, which is a hormone released in response to stress. By reducing stress and cortisol levels, CBD may contribute to a sense of relaxation and relief from anxiety symptoms.
Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), another compound found in the hemp plant, CBD is not psychoactive and does not cause a "high." This makes CBD a more favourable option for those seeking anxiety relief without any associated psychoactive effects.
Q&A on CBD for anxiety
What's the best CBD starting dose for anxiety?
The best CBD starting dose for anxiety depends on individual factors such as body weight, metabolism, and the severity of anxiety symptoms. We make finding your starting dose and building up to your recommended daily dose super easy with our CBD dosage calculator.
We always recommend starting out with a lower CBD dosage, typically 10-20 milligrams (mg) per dose. This allows your body to adjust to CBD and helps you gauge your response to it.
After taking the initial low dose, you can assess the impact on your anxiety symptoms and overall sense of wellbeing. It may take several days or even weeks of consistent CBD use to notice significant effects.
We recommend gradually increasing your CBD dosage every 5 days to reach your recommended personalised dosage and bring relief to anxiety symptoms.
What's the best CBD dose for anxiety?
Determining the best CBD dose for anxiety can vary depending on factors such as the severity of anxiety symptoms, body weight, metabolism, and the specific CBD product being used. Since CBD dosage is individual we've developed our CBD dosage calculator to make it super easy for you to find your optimum dosage according to your needs and help you to build up to this dose gradually.
We always recommend:
- Start Low and Go Slow: Begin with a low CBD dose, such as 10-20 mg, and observe how your body responds. If you tolerate it well but don't experience the desired effects, you can gradually increase the dose over time.
- CBD products come in various strengths, so it's important to read the product label and understand the concentration of CBD per serving. This will help you determine how much to take to achieve your desired dose.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds to different doses of CBD. Some individuals may find relief with lower doses, while others may require higher doses. It's important to find the dose that provides symptom relief.
Can I use CBD gummies for anxiety?
CBD gummies are a popular and convenient way to take CBD; they're easy to dose, can be taken discreetly on-the-go and work well for anxiety.
When choosing CBD gummies for anxiety, it is important to look for high-quality CBD, ensuring that the dosage and ingredients are clearly listed, and they are third party lab tested.
It is important to note that while CBD may help to reduce anxiety, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice and treatment if you are experiencing anxiety.
Can CBD help with PTSD?
Several studies have suggested that CBD may those individuals with PTSD. CBD's interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its effects on neurotransmitter activity, including serotonin receptors, contribute to its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and mood-regulating properties.
CBD may help reduce anxiety and fear responses, which are central to PTSD. It has been shown to potentially modulate the fear response, promote relaxation, and reduce anxiety symptoms in some individuals. However, more high-quality clinical trials are needed to establish its effectiveness and optimal dosing for PTSD specifically.
Sleep disturbances and nightmares are common symptoms of PTSD. CBD may potentially help improve sleep quality and reduce nightmares,
CBD can work well as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for PTSD along with therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or trauma-focused therapy), support groups, and other evidence-based interventions. It is always advised to speak to your GP or therapist if you are considering using CBD for PTSD, they can monitor your progress, and ensure it is appropriate for your specific situation.
Can CBD help with social anxiety?
CBD has been shown to help individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) in recent studies and reviews, as well as anecdotal reports from users.
With anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties CBD can potentially reduce social anxiety symptoms. Its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its effects on neurotransmitter activity, including serotonin receptors, may contribute to the anti-anxiety effects.
CBD may help reduce anxiety symptoms, including social anxiety, by promoting relaxation and reducing feelings of fear or stress. It has been reported to improve subjective feelings of anxiety and may influence the fear response in certain situations.
Fear extinction is an area that CBD may play a role, which is the process of unlearning and reducing fear responses associated with specific triggers or situations. This could be relevant in the context of social anxiety, where individuals experience fear and anxiety in social settings.
CBD works well as part of a comprehensive approach for social anxiety that may include therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or exposure therapy), lifestyle modifications, and other evidence-based treatments.
Can CBD help with anxiety sleep problems?
CBD's potential dual action on anxiety and sleep makes it particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing anxiety-related sleep problems. Lack of sleep or sleep quality can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
By reducing anxiety, CBD may contribute to better sleep quality and alleviate sleep disturbances related to anxiety. And vice-versa CBD's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles, improve sleep duration, and promote deeper and more restful sleep can indirectly help reduce anxiety levels.
Can CBD help anxiety and depression?
Studied for its potential anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects CBD may help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and influencing neurotransmitter activity. Many individuals report feeling a sense of relaxation and calmness after using CBD.
CBD may also have potential effects on mood regulation. It interacts with various receptors in the brain, including serotonin receptors, which are involved in mood regulation. CBD's influence on these receptors may contribute to its potential mood-balancing properties.
CBD works well as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), lifestyle modifications, and other evidence-based interventions. We always recommend speaking with your GP or healthcare professional if you're considering using CBD for anxiety and depression.
Please note we do not recommend CBD is taken alongside anti-depressants.
Can I use CBD for flying anxiety?
CBD helps to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety symptoms, which can be beneficial for individuals with flying anxiety. Many people are using CBD as a natural way to help ease flying anxiety and promote a sense of calm during air travel.
If you're new to CBD and considering taking it for flying anxiety it's worth considering what, how and when to take CBD. The optimal CBD dosage varies depending on body weight, metabolism and the severity of anxiety symptoms. Check out our CBD Dosage Calculator to find out your personalised recommended dosage and how to build up to this.
It's advisable to start taking CBD in the run up to your day of travel to ensure you've found the right dosage and timing for your specific needs. You should find that it also helps you to feel generally less anxious in the run up to your flight.
CBD products come in various forms such as oils, edibles, and topicals. When using CBD for flying anxiety, consider factors such as convenience, discretion, and the duration of the flight. Sublingual oils and edibles may be more practical for longer flights.
It's also important to check the legality of CBD in the country you're travelling to, check out our journal post for our guide to travelling with CBD. CBD is legal in the majority of European countries, USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries around the world, though the legal level of THC varies; our products are all THC-free, however there are countries where CBD is not permitted, so please do check before packing your CBD.
