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15 Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Anxiety
To manage anxiety, the options available haven't changed in a while. Many have resorted to using drugs or going for therapy. More so, some decide to stand up to it personally and make use of personal/physical approaches such as meditation and Contrology.
However, treatment for anxiety and depression has begun to take a new dimension as people are learning more about natural remedies, such as CBD oil.
CBD, known as cannabidiol in full term, is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. The oil is derived by extracting CBD from the hemp plant and then processing it.
While the scientific community continues to dig deeper about the use of CBD oil to treat anxiety, studies already conducted established that it affects serotonin levels when received by the brain of the user, providing positive results for managing anxiety and depression.
CBD oil may benefit an anxiety patient gainfully but the downsides should not be overlooked as well. Therefore, the user has to know a number of things about using CBD oil to treat anxiety before finally going for it.
To this effect, CBD oil and how it is used for anxiety disorders will be discussed. Importantly, the pros and cons of CBD oil for anxiety will not be overlooked.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a natural substance. It is a cannabinoid present in the Cannabis plant. To derive the oil, the cannabidiol present in the cannabis plant is extracted and processed to become what is known as CBD oil.
While the FDA has not approved CBD oil, the results from current research to treat mood irregularities such as stress, anxiety, and depression and the fact it is legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, more and more people are trying CBD products, including CBD oils.
How CBD Oil Treats Anxiety
Normally, the brain is expected to absorb serotonin, a substance that regulates the mood and general state of mind. Unfortunately, when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors set in, serotine does not reach the brain and therefore anxiety disorders occur.
Although how broad-spectrum CBD oil combats anxiety has not been perfectly defined due to many factors that contribute to the state of mind. Yet, it is believed that CBD oil works with cannabinoid receptors in the brain and performs the function expected of serotonin.
In fact, studies have revealed that CBD communicates with the brain such that it modifies serotonin signals. Therefore, users receive even more than the required serotonin in their brains.
Having been able to interact with the brain positively, CBD oils have been proven potent as a treatment for different kinds of mood disorders. This includes anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has also been known to help reduce anxiety-related behavioral, insomnia, and physiological symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat.
Talking about how to consume it, CBD oils can be used in many ways. Moreover, the most common way it is used is in form of oil or tincture derived from the cannabis plant. The drops of the oil are put under the tongue or put inside food or liquid contents to consume.
The Benefits of Using CBD to Treat Anxiety
CBD oil is a natural way of treating anxiety disorders. Hence, it is expected that it has some benefits other methods of treating anxiety do not have. If other methods also have these advantages, CBD oil should at least have more.
- It Is Safe
The first pro of using CBD oil for anxiety is that it is safe to use according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, some categories of people may have to seek medical guidance before using CBD oil to treat anxiety.
- Effective Usage Method
The method of using CBD oil makes it very effective and works fast. Especially, Full-spectrum CBD tinctures. They offer the most effective usage method for CBD. By putting CBD oil under the tongue and allowing it to stay for a while before swallowing it, the efficacy of the substance and the time taken for it to react are enhanced.
Therefore, the maximum benefit of the substance is offered to the user. More so, this technique makes the substance work for a longer period compared to other substances used for anxiety treatment.
- The Substance Is Widely Available
The legalization of products derived from hemp plants a few years ago in the United States has made CBD legal. Manufacturers in response made CBD oil widely available. CBD products, therefore, are not only effective but also readily available to those who desire to cure anxiety with CBD oils.
- Broad Range of Benefits
Since CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, CBD serves many purposes that have to do with having a better mood. For example, it works as a relief from pain, eradicates all kinds of anxiety, makes the user have better sleep, and has many other psychological benefits.
- Absence of Psychoactive Properties
CBD oil is unique and stands out among other cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is due to the absence of psychoactive content. Hence, users do not get high when they use it.
- It Is Healthy
Cannabidiol is present in natural form in cannabis plants. It is only extracted and processed into oil. Therefore, to a reasonable extent, Cannabidiol is a good option healthwise when selecting treatment for anxiety. It poses very little harm to the human body.
- Low Side Effects
This complements the fact that CBD oil is healthy. There are only a few side effects of using CBD oil. It is an option to be considered by those who are afraid of the side effects of other drugs used in treating anxiety. More so, unlike other traditional treatments for mood-related issues, CBD oil does not make its users addicted to it.
- CBD Helps Reduce Chronic Pain
Anyone affected by anxiety tends to often suffer from cluster headaches and migraine. Fortunately, CBD oil while solving anxiety and related issues simultaneously functions as a relief from pain. Therefore, it cures the ailments and the symptoms associated with them. Meanwhile, all these are achieved by cannabidiol without necessarily having psychoactive symptoms or effects.
The Downsides
Considering the pros of using CBD oil for anxiety disorders treatment, a patient may be convinced enough to start consuming CBD oils for anxiety and depression treatment. However, the downsides must be also examined. This will allow a user making the choice of CBD oil for anxiety treatment to be assured he is making an informed choice. Below are some cons of CBD oils for anxiety treatment.
- Not Approved by All Appropriate Authorities
Some appropriate authorities expected to approve drugs have not yet approved to use of CBD oil for anxiety treatment. For example, in America, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not given its approval to it. This is to say CBD oil is not regulated and therefore, no level of quality is specified for CBD companies to meet when manufacturing.
To this effect, CBD oil products in the market vary in quality. The amount of CBD present in CBD oil products is different. Consumers, therefore, may be left to find out which company produces CBD oil with the amount of substance they require. Even, some unscrupulous manufacturers hide under the pretense of CBD to produce drugs that contain THC which may worsen anxiety rather than improve it.
- Still Undergoing Research
CBD oil has no definite result as it is still undergoing tests, experimentation, and studies. The development of the substance is still in the infancy stage. Therefore, the results of the substance on people vary. The effect it has on A differs from that of B. As a result, it becomes difficult to determine what quantity is perfect to take.
- It Has Side Effects
Recall, it is said above that CBD extraction oil has low a few side effects and not that it has none. Research conducted to examine the treatment of anxiety and depression with CBD full-spectrum hemp has established that users are likely to undergo some negative experiences using the drug.
A side effect of the substance is that it may result in greater anxiety in some people. Hence, the effectiveness of the drug becomes doubtful for anxiety and other related ailments. Other side effects that may be experienced include tiredness, lack of appetite, dizziness, low blood pressure, and other psychoactive effects.
- Quality CBD Oil Varies By Cost
Of course, CBD oil products are selling around at low prices. The price danger in it is that such products have a high tendency of being poor in quality.
However, the most expensive CBD oil doesn't always equal quality either. What it comes down to is research. With all CBD products, from CBD gummies to CBD oil, it's important to examine where the hemp comes from, what are the extraction methods, and what other ingredients are being used.
- Manage Expectations
Everybody responds to CBD differently—similar to how caffeine affects people in different ways and different amounts. So when exploring different products and dosages, it's important to manage your expectations and understand that what may work for your friend may not work for you. It's all about figuring out what works for you and experimenting with different dosages.
- No Standard Quality
Since the formula used in making CBD oil is not FDA-approved or regulated, there is no standard measurement or stipulation for the quality of the CBD substances manufactured by companies. Therefore, quality varies and buyers have to do additional critical studies of the hemp derived CBD products they want to choose.
- Varying Benefits
There are full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, and CBD isolate. These three have various health benefits and they should not be substituted for each other.
Yet, they are all referred to as CBD oil. While full-spectrum and broad-spectrum may be close to each other in terms of benefit, the CBD isolate type is nowhere near the other two.
What You Should Consider When Choosing a CBD Oil Product for Anxiety Treatment
If you want to buy pure CBD oil to treat anxiety and depression or any other related ailment, there are certain things you need to look out for when you are selecting to select the best CBD oil.
First, you need to be sure you select a product with a clear and definite label or pamphlet that contains the necessary information about the product. The information in the label or pamphlet is not complete without the concentration, THC content, and other important ingredients used in manufacturing the product. Also, you should try to ascertain that the products do not contain unwanted substances.
Furthermore, you need to find out the reliability of the company that manufactured the product. Some companies may be notorious for unsafe and low-quality products. Therefore, you need to be careful not to select products from such companies. More care has to be taken considering that CBD is not regulated enough yet. You have to be sure the product has gone through internal and external examinations by a third party.
Another thing to consider is if the product is made from cannabidiol-rich of cannabis extract as the method of extraction matters as well. The formula for CBD oil can be extracted using different methods but the safest and cleanest method is the CO2 extraction method. Products with this extraction method are good deals to consider.
Final Thoughts: CBD Products for Anxiety and Depression
Having discussed the pros and cons of CBD oils for anxiety disorder treatment, it is believed that buyers now have a picture of what CBD oil can offer in anxiety and depression treatment. They can now decide whether or not it is the ideal product for them.
Of course, it is known that there are many opportunities CBD oil can offer people with poor psychological health conditions. It can also work for having a good state of mind and serve as a self-care routine. However, what is more, important is buying a product deemed reliable; One which has gone through a third-party test and is not manufactured by a company with a dented image.
More so, with additional information provided about Cannabidiol, using the substance in a manner it works effectively and gives the best result for anxiety treatment becomes easy for the users.
Moreover, a very important factor to consider is that the use of CBD oil to treat anxiety and other related ailments is still being observed and researched. Therefore, before you can be confident using CBD oil, you have to talk to a Medical Doctor or a therapist. They are in the best position to tell you if the substance is good for you or not.
