CBD drops for anxiety? Is it all it's made out to be?

Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time but for some, their anxiety can feel like it’s taking over their life and we all want to get on with life – anxiety free. Anxiety disorders are very common. In a study covering Great Britain, 1 in 6 adults had experienced some form of neurotic health problem. Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is one of the most common neurotic conditions that can impair our social lives.

Unfortunately, traditional solutions to anxiety fall short for many people, so a look for an alternative ensues. If you struggle with anxiety or other ailments, you may be considering to try CBD oil, full spectrum CBD to be exact. 

What is CBD oil and will it get me high?

If you are taking CBD oil because you want to get high, I have some bad news for you – because you won’t.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is an organic, non-intoxicating compound extracted from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. CBD was once over-shadowed by THC (the compound that gets you high) but CBD does not get you "high".

Hemp is a type of cannabis plant grown for industrial use, such as making paper and clothing. Unlike other cannabis plants like marijuana, hemp has been specifically bred to contain high traces of CBD and low traces of THC.

Most full spectrum CBD oils contain trace amounts of THC, within the legal limit of 0.2% (not high to produce a high). So, someone using full spectrum CBD oil might still test positive for THC on a drug test, even though they will not experience any alterations of mental state after using the oil. 

But does CBD oil actually work? Is there any evidence?

We are still at the early stages of research into CBD but there is already mounting research and anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD can reduce anxiety. All you have to do is scroll through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to find endless positive experiences with using CBD for anxiety and other ailments. 

Across the internet you'll find more than your fair share of positive reviews surrounding CBD drops for anxiety. This can only be a positive.

The CBD market is growing at a fast rate, and the body of research is expanding. With CBD not getting you high and it having no addictive properties, CBD has recently been shown to possess considerable therapeutic potential for treating a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders.

How CBD Works For Anxiety

We all have tiny protein-based chemical structures attached to our cells called receptors and CBD is thought to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors. These are mostly found in our brain, nervous system and immune system

As scientific research into CBD is relatively new, the exact way CBD interacts  with CB1 receptors in the brain isn’t fully understood. However, it’s thought it may alter serotonin signals. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and it plays a crucial role in our mental health. Most people associate serotonin with happiness. However, the role of this neurotransmitter is very complex, and its effects depend on where it is and what it binds to. Depression and anxiety are associated with having low serotonin levels.

Conventional treatment such as Prozac, SSRI and Zoloft are just not cutting it for many, so some people with anxiety may be able to manage their condition with CBD. However, you should talk to your doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.

What The CBD Studies Say

Beyond the promising testimonials of individuals who successfully treat their anxiety with CBD oil, there is also a growing body of scientific evidence that shows that CBD works too. So let's have a look.

This CBD review concluded that existing preclinical evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic disorder when administered acutely.

A study looking at the effects of CBD on teenagers with SAD, delivered promising results and provides evidence for the anxiolytic effects of repeated CBD administration in teenagers with SAD. At the same time, however, the author acknowledges several limitations of the current study. No assay of the blood level of CBD was undertaken.

This study looks at CBD’s potential as a treatment for anxiety-related disorders. Overall, current evidence indicates CBD has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders, with the need for further study of chronic and therapeutic effects in relevant clinical populations. 

This 2012 study that used animals and healthy volunteers, clearly suggest an anxiolytic-like effect of CBD. Moreover, CBD was shown to reduce anxiety in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD).

As CBD has only recently been legalised and the costs surrounding studies using humans, we have more studies available on animals. When using rodents, this study tested CBD’s effects on anxiety – and only one of the 32 subjects didn’t see useful results. Research published in 2014 found that CBD oil had anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in an animal model.  

Risk and Possible side effects

There haven’t been enough long term studies to comment on long term effects but studies so far have found few or no negative side effects. 

Known side effects of CBD include:

• drowsiness or other changes in alertness
• digestive issues, such as diarrhea and decreased appetite
• changes in mood, such as irritability and agitation
• interactions with other medications

Therefore, you should consider these side effects before taking CBD.

In the UK, CBD products with a THC content lower than 0.2% are legal, so don’t get caught out by buying illegal oil – now that would be a risk! You should look up the CBD laws where you reside and anywhere you travel. Also pay attention to labelling, as some may not be accurate.

Final Thoughts

It’s still too early to give a definitive answer on the role of Cannabidiol, CBD, as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders but studies and anecdotal evidence prove promising. Although, more research is required to evaluate CBD as a potential treatment for anxiety and/or depression.

From the research we have done and the vast amount of anecdotal evidence we have come across, we believe that CBD offers a potential natural alternative solution and there is hope for people with anxiety who have gotten no relief from traditional treatments or are fed up with the side effects.

If you are looking for the best CBD oil money can buy for anxiety in the UK then NuHemp CBD is here to serve you that.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this blog post. With continued research and anecdotal evidence, we will understand CBD better and can hope for a better, healthier future.

If you want to read more about CBD or even marijuana for anxiety, then check out this article written by our friends over at www.relaxlikeaboss.com.

If you decide to try CBD, talk with your doctor — if for no other reason than to make sure it won’t affect other medications you are taking.

NuHemp Ltd are not doctors and we do not provide medical advice. None of the information on this site, including information in any press release or blog post, constitutes legal or medical advice by us. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.