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The cannabis plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, or compounds, and cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are just two of these compounds. You’ve probably heard of them, but just in case: CBD has a number of health benefits, and is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t make you feel “high”. THC is psychoactive, so can be behind that “high” feeling when used recreationally.
CBD oil comes from various parts of the hemp plant. CBD is extracted, then added to a carrier oil, making it easy to take and absorb into the body. While it’s extracted from the cannabis plants, CBD oil contains a very low percentage of THC, which means the product will not produce any psychoactive effects.
There are lots of different potential CBD oil benefits for mental health, and this includes anxiety. From the obvious calmer feeling, to improved mood, better sleep and relaxation, and peace of mind, CBD’s effect on anxiety is undeniable. It’s why licensed private clinics Alternaleaf offer it as a treatment option. And, although CBD and THC have both been proven to help reduce anxiety, this study in 2020 shows evidence that CBD had a stronger impact on anxiety symptoms. And so we’ll be exploring how CBD helps with anxiety and some CBD benefits for anxiety in this article.
Types of Anxiety CBD Can Help
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Research suggests that CBD has some benefits as a treatment for GAD and SAD. However, it’s not entirely clear how this works, so more research is needed.
Panic Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The symptoms of PTSD include recurring nightmares, intrusive memories, realistic flashbacks, hypervigilance, self-destructive behaviour, guilt, fear, anger, shame and more.
The endocannabinoid system, or the ECS, is a messenger and receptor system that is integral to homeostasis (the management of balance) within the human body. The ECS influences and modulates pretty much every single function within your body, directing, correcting and managing your overall health.
One of the core components of the ECS are the cannabinoid receptors, which includes CB1 and CB2. They’re one of the main reasons behind why cannabis works so positively on so many different conditions. Many experts believe that, by consuming compounds like CBD, it’s possible to interact with these receptors in the body that shape how PTSD works, and ease some of the symptoms.
In a 2022 study, researchers concluded that targeting the ECS could be the answer to treating PTSD. Other studies found that medical cannabis was effective in suppressing intrusive memories and excess fear.
CBD’s Role in Reducing Anxiety Without Drowsiness
It’s all thanks to CBD's interaction with the endocannabinoid system that medical cannabis can promote calmness without sedation.
However, this is only true if you follow the instructions your clinician gives you on dosage and method of consumption. So, whether you’re looking to use CBD oil for panic attacks or CBD for social anxiety, following their advice should prevent you from feeling drowsy. However, keep in mind that if you don’t follow your prescription as instructed, this is a possible side effect.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Anxiety
For people living with anxiety, cannabis treatment can be transformative. For someone with agoraphobia, it could mean being able to leave the house. Or, for someone living with social anxiety disorder, it could mean feeling comfortable at a party. Other benefits can include:
- Better sleep
- Relaxation
- Improved mood
- Peace of mind
- A greater sense of calm
How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety
CBD oil is a popular choice for patients who want discretion. The most common way to consume CBD oil is to place a few drops underneath your tongue. You then hold it there for a minute or so before swallowing. This method results in fast absorption and takes effect within 15 to 30 minutes. It is also known to have long-lasting effects, up to 24 hours in some cases.
The exact amount will depend on your required dose, but your specialist doctor or pharmacist should tell you this. As a general rule when it comes to CBD oil dosage for anxiety, start low and adjust gradually. Everyone can have very different experiences, and the way your body reacts may not be the same as someone else. We’ve got an article on Cannaverse that dives into starting slowly in more detail. This will help you understand your tolerance and limit the risk of negative side effects.
How Long Does CBD Take to Work For Anxiety?
This can vary depending on dosage and method of consumption. We’ve covered sublingually (applying under the tongue) above, but below are a couple other methods. We’ve also included a rough idea of how long they take to produce effects.
Inhaling
This involves breathing in cannabis vapour, and provides rapid onset of effects, typically within minutes. Doctors will always recommend using a dry herb vaporiser, as smoking can irritate the lungs, while vaping is considered a less harmful alternative.
Eating
Consuming cannabis-infused ‘edibles’ results in slower onset of effects, which can take between 1 to 2 hours. This method is ideal for longer-lasting relief because the effects are stronger and can last anywhere between 4 to 24 hours.
Some things that could influence your ideal CBD dosage for anxiety include:
- Weight and body size. Smaller people typically can’t tolerate as high a dose.
- If you have a fast metabolism, you may need higher or more frequent doses.
- The strength or ‘potency’ of the CBD oil.
- Whether you’re new to CBD, or have built up a tolerance over time.
Visit our CBD oil guide for more information on dosage and methods.
If prescribed, you should always follow your doctor’s guidance on how to administer. But, other ways to consume CBD oil include:
- Adding it to a drink
- Mixing it with food
- Eating a CBD edible, like a gummy, or taking a CBD oil capsule
- Applying a CBD cream or balm onto the skin
- Blending CBD oil with skincare or cosmetics
Other ways to consume cannabis for anxiety include:
- Smoking, however this is never recommended by UK cannabis prescribing doctors, and makes your prescription illegal
- Dry herb vaporiser
- Vape cartridges
- Edibles
We go into more detail on the above methods in our Everything You Need to Know About Cannabis for Anxiety article.
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Just like with any other medicine, some people can experience side effects from CBD oil. This can include:
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Changes in appetite
- Diarrhoea
In general, the exact science behind medical cannabis and anxiety is unclear. But, three things are certain:
- Cannabis affects everyone differently.
- If you’re living with anxiety, you can qualify for a prescription of medical cannabis through a specialist clinic like Alternaleaf.
- The best approach is proper planning.
CBD oil side effects for anxiety and a number of other conditions are rare, but it’s still important to be aware that, although CBD is considered safe and available over the counter, it can interact negatively with some medications. So, we recommend checking with your GP or a specialist before you add it to your treatment plan.
What’s the difference between prescribed and over the counter CBD oil?
Although CBD oil can be bought over the counter from high street shops, there are some pros to having it prescribed instead:
- Prescribed CBD oil is recognised as an official medicine, and therefore regulated, so you can trust the dosing
- You’ll be given guidance and advice from healthcare professionals and specialists when prescribed, and this ensures efficient treatment
- Over the counter CBD oil can contain no more that 0.2% THC, and we touch on why this may make it less effective below
Understanding CBD Labels: How to Pick the Right Product for Anxiety
This isn’t something you really need to worry about too much if you’ve got a medical cannabis prescription from a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf. Our clinicians will choose an effective product with the right levels of CBD and THC to suit your symptoms and condition. They’ll discuss this with you in video appointments, to make sure you’re fully comfortable with what’s being prescribed.
However, if you’re looking to purchase a CBD product over the counter, the main thing to pay attention to is the CBD concentration and mg per dose. The higher the mg, the stronger the CBD concentration. But, as we mentioned above, over the counter CBD isn’t always properly regulated, and therefore you can’t always rely on the dosing.
Another thing you may want to look at is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate. Put simply, the difference between these three types of CBD is the compounds they contain.
If any CBD product features a range of things extracted from a cannabis plant – like terpenes, essential oils and (up to 0.2%) THC – it is classed as full-spectrum.
Broad spectrum is similar, in that it can contain a wide range of cannabis plant compounds, yet it has no more than a trace amount of THC.
Lastly, isolate is pretty much as it sounds: pure CBD or THC with no other compounds. CBD isolate is typically derived from hemp plants, which have very low THC content, while THC isolate is extracted from cannabis plants with higher THC levels, ensuring that only the THC remains.
We go into much more detail on the above here.
THC Oil for Anxiety
Although our focus has been CBD oil in this article, THC Oil can also have a lot of benefits for anxiety. One recent study found that strains high in THC and CBD both had a positive impact on anxiety symptoms. Both can play a lead role on certain health conditions, and CBD and THC can sometimes be greater together, due to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.
THC also typically reduces the amount of REM sleep you get, which in turn reduces dreams. For people who experience PTSD, this could mean less nightmares. And if you spend less time dreaming, you’ll spend more time in a “deep sleep” state, which is thought to be the most restorative, restful part of the sleep cycle.
THC can be accessed via an Alternaleaf prescription. And having a legal prescription with access to a doctor, means you can try precise dosing of both CBD and THC to see what works best for you.
Summary
Anxious feelings affect everyone. It’s part of being human. However SAD, GAD, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders impact the lives of millions across the UK. And when they start to prevent people from doing simple everyday tasks and activities, it might be time to look in a new direction.
CBD oil is a safe, legal product that can help alleviate anxiety. Research into the use of CBD for anxiety relief is ongoing, but many people in the UK are already using and benefitting from it. Cannabis’ anti-anxiety properties can soothe a stressed out mind and body. But remember you can speak to your pharmacist or specialist doctor if you’re ever unsure.
To find out more, or to see if you're eligible for medical cannabis, contact Alternaleaf today.