Can CBD oil help relieve stress and anxiety?
Yes. CBD is a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety. CBD influences your brain’s receptor respond to serotonin.
#1 CBD at high concentration, directly activates 5-HT1A (hydroxytryptamine) serotonin receptors which produces the anti-anxiety effect (1).
#2 CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), the raw unheated from of CBD, also binds to 5-H1A seratonin receptors to enhance anti-nausea and anti- effcts when given alongside low-doses of traditional anti-nausea drug, ondansetron (OND) to chemotherapy patients (2).
#3 CBD acts as an allosteric receptor modulator. For example, CBD changes the shape of the GABA-A receptor to enhance the natural calming effect of GABA (3).
#4 CBD also alters the shape of CB1 receptors that weakens the CB1 receptor’s ability to bind to THC (4). The CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain and nervous system. This explains why people consuming CBD-rich oil don’t feel as “high” when compared to a THC-dominant medicine.
#5 According to a study, ingesting 600 mg of CBD can help people with social anxiety give a speech (5).
Therefore, “full-spectrum” CBD product or a CBD-rich product with trace amount of THC can provide therapeutic benefits without the euphoric or dysphoric effect.
Does CBD oil interact with anti-depressants?
As with any supplement, we recommend that you talk to your health practitioner before starting a new supplement.
CBD is an organic compound in the cannabis plant. It is safe to ingest and add to your wellness plan. Most users don’t experience any side effects while on prescription medication.
CBD inhibits the CYP450 enzymes in the liver which helps break down medications (6). Depending on the amount of CBD you ingest and the strength of your medication, the side effects of drowsiness or sedation from anxiety medication like Xanax or Ativan can be enhanced.
What are the common side effects of CBD Oil?
Users seldom experience negative side effects from CBD unless they consume too much. If you are experiencing dry mouth, fatigue, diarrhea, drowsiness, or decreased in appetite, cut back on the dosage till symptoms are relieved. Remember, it’s important to start slow, go slow – increase the dosage slowly till you find the right dosage that works for you. Listen to your body.
What is the effective dose for anxiety when using CBD oil?
Factors such as your weight, severity of the ailment, your tolerance and sensitivity to CBD oil plays a part on how much CBD Oil you should take. Dosage will vary for each user. Start with a low dose and see how the first dose affect your symptoms. Slowly work your way up till you feel the symptoms are less severe or dissipated.
Below are recommended CBD doses for an average user based on the severity of anxiety.
- Mild: 5mg – 15mg
- Moderate: 15mg – 30mg
- Severe: 30mg + (on average, most users take 30mg – 60mg)
For those who suffer from chronic anxiety disorders, a dose every 6 to 8 hours is found to be most effective for many users. For some people, such as a medical cannabis user, may have built up a tolerance to CBD and may require a higher dose than an average user.
Conclusion
#1 CBD safe to use and can help reduce anxiety.
#2 Full Spectrum or CBD-rich with trace amount of THC provides better results than broad-spectrum or CBD isolate.
Users seldom experience negative side effects unless they consumed too much.
#3 CBD influences your brain’s serotonin receptor response to produce anti-anxiety effects.
#4 CBD inhibits the CYP450 enzymes in the liver which helps break down medications. The side effects of drowsiness or sedation from anxiety medication like Xanax or Ativan can be enhanced.