Have you ever felt overwhelmed, or felt a sense of unexplainable dread or fear creeping in? Maybe you’re having trouble sleeping, you’ve lost your appetite or your heart feels like it’s beating faster than normal. Are these feelings becoming a pattern in your day to day life?
All these feelings, and more, could be a sign of anxiety. And although anxiety is a normal, human feeling, it shouldn’t be left untreated, especially if it starts to affect your daily life.
Anxiety can affect us all, in many different ways, for many different reasons, and at many different stages in our lives. Sometimes we know why we are feeling anxious, other times anxiety can creep up on us when we least expect it and these unexplainable feelings of anxiety can wreak havoc on our mental and even physical wellbeing.
The Five Major Types Of Anxiety Disorder
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services listed five distinct ways anxiety disorder can present itself:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - This is an anxiety disorder characterised by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.
Panic Disorder - This is an anxiety disorder that is characterised by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear which can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress.
Social Anxiety Disorder - Also referred to as Social Phobia, this is an anxiety disorder characterised by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. This type of anxiety can affect those speaking to others, eating and drinking with others, or simply being around others.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - An anxiety disorder that is characterised by repetitive behaviours and/or recurrent/unwanted thoughts. Whilst these thoughts or behaviours are performed in the hope that anxiety will be relieved, it actually increases those feelings of anxiety.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - This anxiety disorder can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.
Continuous feelings of anxiety is not something we should accept as a normal part of our everyday lives, and these feelings of anxiety we are experiencing could be reduced, relaxed and relieved through organic, plant-based, natural and science-backed products.
If you are experiencing chronic, distressing or debilitating symptoms of anxiety, we advise you to always visit a doctor first before considering an alternative course.
What Is CBD?
Just the word Cannabidiol (CBD) can confuse, concern and put some people off entirely, yet have we really taken the time to fully understand what CBD is, how CBD affects our body and mind, and why so many more research studies have been popping up and growing support for CBD has intensified these last few years.
A 2017 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that CBD could provide relief for a variety of debilitating conditions including Alzeihmer’s disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, cancer and diabetic complications, and that CBD could provide relief from both depression and anxiety.
CBD is even an NHS used and approved plant-based drug for treating children and adults with severe forms of epilepsy.
Two prominent cases in the UK showed how effective CBD was in treating two young children with epilepsy, and in November 2018 a landmark decision was made in the UK to allow UK doctors to prescribe CBD for such conditions.
So why are we still so sceptical when it comes to using CBD? And why, even though CBD is plant-based, organic and scientifically supported, are some of us still wary of using it to treat such feelings of anxiety?
The Difference Between CBD And THC
CBD is completely legal in the UK, provided it has been derived from an industrial hemp strain that is EU-approved, or comes from outside the EU.
CBD is not THC, therefore it is non-psychoactive, so CBD does not give us the same ‘high’ feeling that THC does.
Although CBD is derived from the same plant as THC, the ‘cannabis-sativa plant’, CBD is the non-psychoactive portion of the plant, ‘so what that means is you won’t have any effects like euphoria’, says Junella Chin, DO, an osteopathic physician and a medical cannabis expert for cannabisMD. ‘You won’t feel sedated or altered in any way.”
We are generally accepting of drugs prescribed by a doctor or physician, yet more fearful or sceptical in trying a naturally produced, plant-based compound, ‘grown from the roots of the earth’ alternative. This is not to say CBD should be used instead of a prescribed drug, but could be considered as a potential alternative or complementary treatment in alleviating feelings of anxiety.
Now that we understand more about CBD, where CBD comes from, how CBD is approved by both the NHS and the FDA, and that CBD won’t make us feel like we’re in a haze or out of touch with reality, how can CBD potentially help combat these feelings of anxiety many of us experience?
How Does CBD Work With Our Body In Easing Or Alleviating Anxiety
CBD works with our body's ECS (endocannabinoid system), which helps us to maintain homeostasis or equilibrium. Research has shown that CBD is similar to those found in our ECS - which probably explains why the body finds it easy to use CBD in a beneficial way.
CBD prevents the breakdown of our bodies natural endocannabinoids which can become deficient from factors such as stress, causing a shortage of our bodies natural endocannabinoids. It is thought that CBD maximises the use of our endocannabinoids, helping us to maintain homeostasis, therefore relieving feelings of anxiety.
Furthermore, further studies have shown that CBD may have a positive effect in treating anxiety by interacting with the brain’s GABA receptors. By slowing down the brain’s activities, it can cause a calming effect that can reduce feelings of anxiety.
What Should I Look Out For When Choosing The Right CBD For Me
Research and education is key when looking for the right CBD product for treating anxiety.
When choosing the right CBD for you make sure that:
- The CBD contains 250-1000mg per 10ml bottle - anything less and you’re not going to see any benefit. This information should be shown on the product.
- CBD should be produced using naturally grown hemp, and should not contain any chemicals like propane, butane, pentane or hexane - as they can leave behind dangerous contaminants.
- Triple-batch-testing is important when choosing the right CBD for you. This shows that the specific CBD has been tested and verified by third-party laboratories. *
- And if your CBD contains more than 0.2% of THC, not only is this a sign of low quality CBD, it could also be illegal where you live.
There are many brands out there using low-quality CBD extract that is not only ineffective but, as we have seen, could be potentially dangerous. And remember, if the price looks too good to be true, more often than not, it probably is.
*Here at Molecule once our products have been verified by third-party laboratories, the CBD then undergoes further testing by the team before it goes on sale.
How Should I Consume CBD For Anxiety
There are many different ways in which we can consume CBD for ailments such as anxiety.
CBD Capsules - If you are particularly sensitive to smells and tastes, or prefer a lower intensity for treating anxiety, capsules are processed through the metabolism delivering a lower concentration of CBD. These can take longer to kick in, but typically will last longer.
CBD Drops/Tinctures - One of the best and most effective ways to take CBD for anxiety is oil tinctures. By dropping CBD oil under the tongue, CBD enters the body through glands in the mouth and thus takes effect more quickly.
CBD Edibles & Drinks - Absorbed into the blood the same way as capsules, CBD edibles and CBD drinks are a great way to enjoy the subtle balance of CBD. They deliver a steady and slow-release concentration of CBD into the body, helping to reduce feelings of anxiety, and are tasty too.
CBD Vapes - when CBD is inhaled directly into the lungs, it is absorbed into the bloodstream far more rapidly than when digested by the stomach. This means you will feel the effects of CBD much faster, thus alleviating feelings of anxiety quicker.
Need More Help In Choosing The Right Product To Help Alleviate Feelings Of Anxiety?
Here at Molecule we strive to bring the very best CBD products to our community as well as other natural health and well-being products. Take a look at our products and start your journey in alleviating feelings of anxiety and beginning a calmer, happier and healthier lifestyle.
If you’re unsure of what CBD to buy to help combat feelings of anxiety, or would like some more advice, get in touch with a member of the team.
We here at Molecule strongly advise those who are experiencing overwhelming and distressing feelings of anxiety to consult with your doctor first before considering an alternative course. We want only the best for our customers and will continue to strive to give you the best in wellbeing and the best in CBD.
References:
https://www.theweek.co.uk/99068/what-is-cbd-oil
https://www.health.com/condition/pain/what-is-cbd
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