So, CBD's been making some serious waves recently, right? If you haven't seen it pop up in wellness discussions, you've probably been living under a rock. A lot of folks have turned to this hemp compound for its reported benefits - everything from pain relief to easing anxiety.
But here's a twist: Some people are wondering if full-spectrum CBD could actually nudge anxiety symptoms, and potentially cause anxiety attacks.
To sort through the confusion, we've gotta first roll up our sleeves and understand what CBD is all about, what science is saying about it, and the side effects it might show up to the party with.
CBD is not known to increase anxiety or cause anxiety attacks itself. There may be some interactions with prescription medications that we dont know about yet, but this is unlikely.
The most likely culprit for these reports are CBD products with higher than reported THC amounts. Full spectrum CBD should have a small amount of THC, but not enough to cause anxiety or anxiety attacks.
In this chat, we're not only going to dive deep into how CBD interacts with anxiety, but we're going to pull up a chair for a lesser-known cannabinoid, Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA). This underdog could be a big player, so we'll set some space aside for it.
With a good grip on these key points, we can explore the full spectrum of how CBD might be influencing your experience with anxiety.
Article Highlight
- So, we've discovered that CBD could be a helpful buddy for anxiety, thanks to its cozy relationship with our endocannabinoid system. But don't forget, you're unique, and finding the perfect dose and product is essential to make the most of CBD for you.
- On the flip side, we can't ignore CBD's potential side effects. While it's usually pretty chill, some people might experience things like feeling tired, having a dry mouth, or interactions with prescriptions. Additionally, underreported THC amounts can certainly induce anxiety symptoms.
- Now let's have a chat about CBDA – this new contender also shows promise for managing anxiety. We know it's early days in the research world, but we can't help but be stoked about what CBDA might bring to the table for us.
- In the end, the key is getting to know the ins and outs of CBD and CBDA, playing it smart, and staying informed. So whether you decide to explore CBD or CBDA, let's make sure we're cautious and open-minded.
What is CBD?
So, what is this CBD thing everyone's talking about? CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a natural compound that hangs out in cannabis plants, particularly in the sticky flower tops of the Cannabis sativa. It's one of many relatives, or cannabinoids, living in this plant family, but it's much more mellow than its famous sibling, THC (oil you up, tetrahydrocannabinol).
You see, unlike THC, CBD won't send you on a psychedelic trip—it's non-psychoactive, so no worries about feeling "high" or off your game.
Now, in the past few years, CBD has been strutting its stuff on the wellness runway, showing off its potential healing properties. While we've got a lot of promising studies about CBD's therapeutic power, we still need more in-depth research to truly understand the full breadth of benefits and any unexpected guests (you know, possible side effects).
So, as always, stay informed and keep asking those questions!
Full-Spectrum CBD
To add a twist to the plot, there's also full-spectrum CBD. This version of CBD contains not only cannabidiol but also other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in the cannabis plant.
There are over 100 different cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis flower!
Some people believe that using full-spectrum CBD products can enhance the effects due to the "entourage effect”, which suggests that these compounds work together synergistically to provide better outcomes. However, more research is needed to validate this theory fully.
Anxiety Disorders and Traditional Treatment Approaches
Anxiety can be a tricky little beast, showing up in various disguises and knocking on different individuals' doors in its own unique ways. While occasional anxiety is healthy and a natural response of our body, intense anxiety can take a toll on both your physical and mental wellbeing and it may lead into different mental disorders.
There are different types of anxiety disorders, such as
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD for short, is that little voice nagging you with worry and fear, often without any clear reason. You may find your muscles tense, your mind restless and your energy levels dipping. And let's not forget those sleepless nights or the struggle to concentrate.
Then you've got Social Anxiety Disorder, where the thought of social situations can set off a storm of intense fear and anxiety. You might find yourself dodging social events, fretting about being judged or feeling embarrassed, which could really get in the way of your daily life and relationships.
Panic Disorder is another face of anxiety. It's like an unwelcome pop quiz thrown at you by life - unexpected, overwhelming panic attacks that come out of nowhere. You could experience a racing heart, sweating, shaking, and this gut-wrenching feeling like something bad is about to happen.
Separation Anxiety Disorder isn't just a kid thing — adults can experience it too. It spins off into a whirlwind of distress and anxiety when you're parted from your loved ones, making you want to avoid being alone or separated from them.
Anxiety Disorder Diagnosis
Diagnosing anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions isn't as simple as ticking off a checklist. A qualified mental health pro needs to dive into the deep end, eyeing up the symptoms and their duration.
It's super important to differentiate between these disorders and the occasional 'normal' anxiety that comes with everyday stress.
Organizations like the American Psychiatric Association & Anxiety and Depression Association of America do sterling work, providing info, support, and resources for people with anxiety disorders and depression.
Risk Factors of Anxiety Disorders
So what's behind these anxiety disorders? It could be a cocktail of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors like a family history of anxiety disorders, past trauma, or chronic stress could make you more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety Disorders Treatment Options
To treat anxiety disorders, it often involves shaking up a various therapies, meds like anti-anxiety medications, and even some healthy lifestyle changes. Your mental health professional will tailor a unique approach, designed to suit you.
Sometimes, anxiety disorders like to travel in packs. They often bring along their buddy, depression. This pairing can make diagnosis and treatment a whole lot trickier, demanding a comprehensive approach to tackle both monsters at once.
Understanding these disorders and giving the right kind of support is a big deal — they can really shake up a person's quality of life. Raising mental health awareness, using professional help, and seeking out effective management strategies could really turn things around.
Many people are turning to these natural remedies as a potential chill pill for anxiety symptoms. CBD products have been making a bit of a splash in the wellness scene for their supposed calming effects.
But can full-spectrum CBD really help your anxiety? Or does full-spectrum CBD cause anxiety symptoms or make the symptoms worse?
Many people who use hemp products like CBD or CBDA report that they can relieve symptoms, and it is rare that they cause the opposite.
Can CBD Cause Anxiety?
Alright, let's talk about this question on everyone's mind - can CBD actually help with anxiety? Quite a few research brains have been poking around this topic, and the results... Well, they seem pretty promising.Experts began looking at CBD as a possible anxiety aid thanks to its interaction with our body's endocannabinoid system (think of it as your body's control panel for balance). Without getting too science-y, CBD appears to encourage our bodies to use more of its own natural cannabinoids which can contribute to maintaining balance in our body's functions that influence our mood, sleep, and perception of pain.
Studies have pointed towards CBD's potential to act on brain receptors for serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mental health. Low serotonin levels are often associated with people who have depression and sometimes anxiety.
However, these studies show that CBD has only low affinity for serotonin receptors. So, in theory, CBD could help your brain's efforts to keep the serotonin flowing, which could help swing the mood pendulum back toward the positive.
Now, bear in mind all bodies are different, like, totally unique - what works like magic for me might be 'meh' for you. That's why it's super important to find the right dose and product that works for your body and its unique dance.
In short, science is giving us some hope about CBD being a potential ally in dealing with anxiety. But remember, we're in early days here, and there's still heaps for us to discover. Consider chatting with your healthcare provider before stomping down the CBD road, especially if you're already on some meds. Safety first, pals!
THC in CBD products: anxiety and panic attacks
Some consumers have reported that CBD products have made their anxiety symptoms worse, which seems to contradict the general research and other users experience.
What appears to be happening is that some manufacturers do not properly test their product for THC levels before it ships to the consumer. Elevated levels are THC are known to cause anxiety in some people, especially if they are not expecting it.
Additionally, some CBDA products have added THC to their formulation, and if the consumer is not paying attention, may buy the wrong product. Always remember to double check the labels and information on the product before purchasing.
Check the CoA for THC before buying
A certificate of analysis (CoA) is a third party testing report that shows how much and what kind of cannabinoids are in the CBD product.
A good company will have these available for review before buying. This is the best way to validate that you are getting a high quality product and prevent potential THC induced anxiety attacks.
If you are not familiar with how to read a CoA, check out our CBD CoA guide.
What are the Side Effects of CBD?
Alright, let's chat about the less glamorous side of CBD – yep, those potential side effects. While CBD is generally seen as the cool kid that everybody gets along with, every substance has its 'off days.' And on those off days, certain things might not mingle pretty well.Even though CBD typically goes down easily with many folk, personal factors like your health, age, or how well you know CBD, could make you more likely to cross paths with some not-so-fun experiences.
Check out some of the common side effects people have come across after hanging out with CBD:
- Tiredness or drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Changes in weight
Now, keep in mind, many of these party crashers tend to gatecrash when you've invited too much CBD into your system. That's why getting the dosage right is the difference between "Oh, I'm loving this vibe!" and "Did I overdo it?"
If you're new to CBD, it's like trying out a new hot sauce, start with a little, then gradually dial up the spice until you hit your sweet spot.
And just like with all things wellness, it's a good idea to have your healthcare provider in your corner. They'll tailor the experience to your individual circumstances, helping you get the right dosage and frequency.
CBD interactions with prescriptions
This one is important.
CBD has been approved by the FDA for use in epilepsy, and reports from these clinical trials show that CBD can interact with some prescription medications leading to elevated liver enzymes.
However, these patients were taking between 750mg to 2000mg of CBD per day, and where on other medications at the time.
Check with your healthcare provider if you are taking prescriptions before trying CBD.
The Potent Potential of CBDA in Anxiety Management
Alright, let's chat about a fresh face on the scene - CBDA, or Cannabidiolic Acid to be precise. It's basically CBD's precursor, and is the most abundant cannabinoid in raw cannabis plants. When these guys get a little sun or heat exposure, they do this fancy trick called decarboxylation and transform into CBD.
Not a lot of people are clued up on CBDA as of now, but researchers are starting to get curious about its potential perks. Today, let's discuss its potential for anxiety management.
So, what's the CBDA scoop on anxiety relief? Bear in mind, it's still early days for CBDA research, but so far, the intel we got hints towards some anxiety-alleviating traits. Here's how CBDA might be pulling off these tricks:
CBDA Enhanced Absorption
One of the little spoken truths about CBD is it has very poor absorption. This is the reason why many clinical studies use high doses. These can range in the hundreds to thousands of mgs to get a relevant clinical result.
Depending on the formulation, CBDA has between 450% and over 1000% better absorption than CBD!
Serotonin Receptor Activation
CBDA seems to get along really well with the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which is kind of a big deal in controlling your mood, anxiety, and how you respond to stress. So where does that leave you? Well, by getting chummy with this receptor, CBDA might help reduce anxiety symptoms down a notch and get you feeling all kinds of balanced and well.
Ant-Inflammatory Role
You might be surprised, but inflammation isn't just about that sprained ankle, it's also been linked to mental health issues like anxiety. And guess what, CBDA likes to flex its anti-inflammatory muscles, which might be a part of its anxiety-managing magic trick.
Boosting Endocannabinoid System Performance
Like the other cool kids in the cannabinoid family, CBDA is believed to boost the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), your body's own command center for keeping things balanced. What’s the payoff for you? By possibly enhancing the availability of your body's natural cannabinoids, CBDA might help dial down those pesky anxiety symptoms.
Hang on though, it's still early days for CBDA, so welcoming it into your anxiety-management toolkit should come after a good chat with a healthcare pro. As always, let's approach new and promising things wisely. Who knows? CBDA might just turn out to be another invaluable member of your wellness team!
Conclusion
Man, what a journey we've been on through the remarkable world of CBD, huh? It's like stepping into a hidden universe. The vibe is buzzing with folk raving about full-spectrum CBD’s potential goodness for the body and mind, especially when it comes to juggling anxiety disorders. There's no doubt that CBD has etched a milestone in the way we think about managing anxiety.
But hey, while the tales of CBD's potential magic are enticing, let's not get carried away, alright? If we're going to roll with CBD, we've got to play it smart. Understand what it can do, check its full credentials, and keep the potential side effects in mind. The key? Getting the right dosage, being mindful of other meds we're on, and a good dose of caution. If we’ve got CBD on our team, we want to make sure we’re playing the game right!
And just when you thought things were complicated enough, here comes our new friend - CBDA! It's adding another dimension to the cannabis cosmos with its own potential superpowers. Some whispers in the research world suggest CBDA might even outdo CBD! Imagine that! So who knows, very soon we might be seeing CBDA taking center stage in the anxiety management show. Always a good idea to stay tuned, right?