Unfortunately, stress is everywhere. It is no longer a normal physiological response to a “fight” or “flight” situation. People seem to be in a perpetual state of panic and constantly stress over work, finances, exams, relationships, health, and everything else imaginable.
If our brains are in a continuous panic mode and stress signals are picked up daily, we may find ourselves in chronic anxiety.
If you deal with stress or anxiety on a regular basis, you may be considering cbd oil, cbd vape pens, or cbd gummies. However, what is the evidence that even the best cbd products work? Does cbd oil really work for anxiety?
Evidence That CBD Soothes Stress And Anxiety
More and more people are turning towards CBD oil for stress and anxiety. Besides these people’s glowing testimonials, there is currently a growing body of scientific evidence that proves CBD actually works.
Evidence #1 = Less anxiety in response to stress
Research done with laboratory rats has shown that CBD effects on anxiety result in reduced anxiety levels. Rats treated with CBD showed fewer signs of anxiety when placed in a cage with a boa constrictor than rats who had not received CBD for stress relief. Even with low doses of CBD (equivalent to 20 mg dosage for an average 150-pound person), rats spent more time scanning their environment. They chose the most strategic location to run instead of panicking. On the other hand, rats that did not receive any CBD panicked and were unable to react to save themselves.
For obvious ethical reasons, scientists cannot place humans in cages with boa constrictors but having to publicly speak before a broad audience can be the human equivalent to that. Studies have shown that using CBD for anxiety and stress improves performance anxiety and may alleviate the stress involved with social anxiety.
Evidence #2: Extinction Learning
Extinction learning refers to learning how to let go of triggers previously associated with stressful stimuli when these stimuli are no longer present. These experiments often involve subjects that are trained to associate something harmless with something painful. Scientists then measure how long it takes subjects to stop experiencing stress in the presence of the harmless trigger but in the absence of the painful one.
Rats show signs of extreme stress when they are conditioned to expect an electric shock. However, when CBD for stress is administered during the extinction learning process, rats are less likely to show stress, even after the effects of CBD have worn off.
In a similar experiment, humans conditioned to expect a mild electric shock after seeing a particular visual cue were less expectant of receiving a shock when inhaling a 32mg dosage of CBD. This was still true when they were tested two days after the initial conditioning and long after the CBD effects on anxiety had worn off.
How CBD Combats Anxiety
CBD has more than sixty receptors in the human body, making it difficult to locate the exact sources of its many therapeutic properties.
However, studies have shown that CBD oil for stress combats anxiety by stimulating neurotransmitter systems in the body and initiating neural regeneration.
Serotonin
CBC has been found to bind with the happiness neurotransmitter: serotonin. Most specifically, CBD binds to 5-HT1A receptor; the same receptor anti-anxiety medications bind to.
Endocannabinoids
Chronic stress and anxiety dysregulate our bodies and disrupt the production of natural cannabinoids that our bodies create to self soothe. The use of CBD for stress relief helps restore the balance of our endocannabinoid system by preventing the overstimulation of CB1 receptors and boosting natural cannabinoid production.
Neural Regeneration
Unfortunately, the effects of chronic anxiety on our central nervous system and our brains are detrimental. Neurons shrink and lose their ability to branch out and form new synapses. CBD has been shown to initiate and support neural regeneration and growth, assisting our neurons in making new connections, thereby potentially reversing some of the damage caused by anxiety. Studies have shown that CBD plays an influential role in neuroplasticity, particularly in the area of our hippocampus (unsurprisingly the brain area involved with emotions and the primitive “fight” or “flight” instinct).
How Should I Consume CBD For Anxiety
Xanax, Valium, Prozac. Quick-acting anti-anxiety medications and long-range anxiety medications have been the traditional medical option for treating chronic anxiety. Whereas these medicines help reduce anxiety symptoms, they only do so until their effect wears out, which then results in tolerance levels and continuously increased dosages until they no longer seem to be effective.
More and more people turn to CBD to help their anxiety and find that CBD for anxiety and stress is effective.
How should you consume it, however? What is the best CBD oil for stress? There are currently the following consumption methods for CBD.
- Tinctures And Oils
CBD tinctures and oils are a quick and easy method to consume CBD. Tinctures contain CBD in an alcohol base. CBD oils contain CBD extracts infused into a neutral base oil such as coconut or hemp seed oil. Both Tinctures and Oils are taken using a dropper, allowing you to precisely measure intake for accurate CBD oil dosage for anxiety.
- CBD Vape Oils
CBD can be used with vape pens that will vaporize the oil. You should use vape pens with caution as their safety has recently come under scrutiny. CBD Vape products are not legal for sale in Texas, so unfortunately we cannot offer these to you. Be sure to buy from a reputable company.
- Edibles
CBD oil can be added to almost any food. While a delicious and easy alternative to other consumption methods, the calming effects of CBD for stress may take longer to kick in when taken orally. This is because CBD has to pass through the gastrointestinal tract before it is metabolized by the liver, resulting in a limited CBD quantity in the circulatory system.
- Smoking
If you want to experience the beneficial CBD effects on anxiety instantly, smoking is the ideal method. Smoking sends the cannabinoid directly to the alveoli of the lungs, which then enters the bloodstream for rapid absorption. CBD Smoke products are not legal for sale in Texas, so unfortunately we cannot offer these to you.
Dosing CBD For Anxiety
There is no universally recommended best CBD for anxiety dosage, but there are general factors you need to take into consideration when figuring out the ideal dosage for you:
- Bodyweight
- Metabolism
- Concentration of CBD
- The severity of your anxiety
- Method of consumption
Ideally, you should start low and gradually increase your dosage until you have the desired CBD for anxiety and stress effects. Please note that if you are not really sure about using CBD, you need to talk to your doctor first.
How To Make CBD Even More Effective For Fighting Stress
You can make CBD more effective for fighting stress and alleviating anxiety by complementing CBD consumption with these:
- Practicing daily meditation
- Exercising on a regular basis
- Identifying the source of stress and working towards eliminating it
- Removing caffeine from your diet and switching to herbal teas
- Supplementing CBD with adaptogenic herbs such as Rehmannia
Why You Need The Best CBD Oil for Stress and Anxiety
The best CBD products are a great daily supplement and have a long list of beneficial effects for your body and your mind. It helps us cope with stress and alleviates some anxieties. More and more people turn to CBD for anxiety and stress and have seen their quality of life improved, and their stress levels reduced.
