You'd have to be living under a rock to not have seen the surge of love for cannabidiol—or as you and I know it, CBD—that's been rolling through the health and wellness world lately. People can't seem to get enough of it, and one form that's been getting lots of love (and helping to dial down anxiety) is CBD gummies.
CBD oil has become widely used for help with anxiety and stress, but some people have reported that it has not helped their symptoms and may even have the opposite effects!While this is not a common result, there may be some reasons for it.
Not everyone has the same biochemistry, our bodies can be different, and CBD may not work for you.
Not all CBD is made the same, and there have been some companies that do not perform proper testing and may be letting in too much THC which can cause anxiety!
These tasty, vibrant little treats have become a firm favorite for many, serving up a chill pill for their anxiety. Below we outline what you need to know about CBD gummies, panic attacks, and anxiety disorders.
Article Highlight
- You've probably heard the buzz about CBD gummies, right? These little guys have been stepping up in the world of anxiety relief, interacting with our endocannabinoid and serotonin receptors.
- Thinking about diving into CBD gummies for anxiety management? Here are a few guiding steps. First, always start with a chat with your healthcare professional Next up, choose brands with a good rep, start small with dosages, and keep an eye on how you're reacting. Have you tried pairing CBD with other anxiety tackling strategies? Might be worth a shot.
- Make sure to always check the CBD product testing results, commonly called the CoA for THC levels which can affect how you respond to the CBD gummies.
- Here's a new nugget I've picked up, the parent compound of CBD called CBDA is gathering momentum for helping with anxiety disorders. It's also flaunting its potential to ease anxiety, just like its cousin CBD. How? Well, it's shaking hands with those same serotonin receptors.
Understanding CBD and Anxiety
So, let's talk about a topic we've all heard about but don't fully understand, CBD. It's like that mysterious guest at the party—you know, the one everyone's talking about but no one really knows.
Here are the basics: cannabidiol (CBD) for the smarty-pants among us, is found in the cannabis plant. But hold up, don't run off at the mention of the "C" word! Although it's part of the same family, CBD isn't the rowdy sibling like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol); it's not going to get you "high."
Instead, CBD's a friendly guest that mixes with our body's endocannabinoid system, bringing about subtle, pleasant effects. You know that friend who makes sure the snacks keep coming at the party? That's CBD!
Deciphering Anxiety and Its Disorders
Let's shift the spotlight to the crux of the matter—anxiety. Now, there's a flurry of terms popping up like popcorns—generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder. And all under the umbrella of mental health conditions. Let's not forget that these terms have been gladly coined by the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychiatric Association.
Some of the common symptoms of anxiety disorders may include:
- Excessive sweating
- Elevated heart rate
- Chronic sense of danger or fear
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue or tiredness
If these seem familiar, you may want to take action to treat anxiety disorders with your doctor.
CBD's Potential for Anxiety Management
At times, anxiety disorders can pop up when we least expect it, catching us off guard. Sometimes, they're brought on by traumatic events, or else, it's just a false alarm with no actual danger around. Here, CBD might take a heroic stance, potentially swooping in to treat those numerous anxiety disorders and the anxiety symptoms that piggyback along. Imagine if it could ease the intensity of an anxiety attack!
There are a number of studies testing the effects of CBD for managing symptoms of anxiety disorders:
- In a 4 week open label trial with 14 participants using a full spectrum CBD oil that also contained THC, the patients reported using around 35mg of CBD a day and about 1 mg of THC. The results showed an improvement in anxiety scores based on the Beck Anxiety Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory tests. While small scale and not placebo blinded, this does suggest improvement.
- In a Japanese study in 18-19 year olds, they found that a 4-week daily dose of 300mg of CBD was able to decrease symptoms of social anxiety disorder. This was placebo controlled and double blinded, and showed significant improvement at the end of the study.
- An open label study in New Zealand, who recruited patients through their primary care physician or who self selected were given a 2500mg CBD tincture to take over the course of a month. They found a significant improvement in both pain and anxiety symptoms score. The limitations were that the patient self selected the administration was open label, which confers a strong bias result.
CBD Gummies: A Deeper Dive
We've all seen CBD popping up more and more in our everyday lives, haven't we? From skincare to smoothies, it seems to be everywhere. Let me introduce you to another growing trend in the CBD world: CBD gummies. Cute, right?
I guess the appeal of CBD gummies resides in their simplicity. They're discreet and super easy to use (not to mention tasty!), making them a great choice for most folks, especially if you're just starting out with CBD for managing anxiety. Just pop one in your mouth, and you're good to go!
Can CBD gummies cause anxiety?
Now, I know what you're thinking. Can CBD gummies potentially aggravate anxiety? I won't deny some concerns out there circle this topic. But you know what? It seems that it all boils down to a few crucial factors - let's hash them out.
Dosage Considerations
Here's a biggie - figuring out your dosage. When it comes to using CBD gummies for managing anxiety, getting your dosage spot-on is key. Consuming too much might lead to a few unpleasant side effects, like feeling drowsy or edgy, and you could mistake those for your anxiety spiking.
So, what's the game plan? Start small. A typical small dose might be 25mg to 50mg.
Follow dosage recommendations, and don't hesitate to check in with a healthcare provider to get a handle on the perfect amount for you.
Quality of CBD Gummies
Next stop on the concerned train - the quality of your CBD gummies. Just like in a growing garden, your gummies' quality can impact the harvest. With CBD gummies, varying manufacturing processes, ingredients, and concentrations can leave you with mixed results.
Look for a certificate of analysis (CoA), which is a third party test result. A good CoA will have the following things tested:
- Potency: the amount and type of cannabinoids in the product. If you are taking CBD gummies for anxiety, any amount of THC above 2mg may cause anxiety symptoms in some people.
- Pesticides: while farmers are not allowed to use most pesticides when growing hemp, they plant may also soak up pesticides from the soil.
- Heavy metals: the cannabis plant is known for being able to absorb metals from the soil, so its always important to check for potential contamination.
- Solvents: while not a major problem anymore, extraction of hemp cannabinoids from the flower always involves some sort of solvent.
- Microbials: always important to test for potential risks from pathogenic microbials in edibles, even though it is a rare occurrence.
It may sound like a chore, but doing your homework and choosing gummies from a trustworthy source can make a world of difference to your experience.
If you dont know how to read a CoA, check out our CBD CoA guide.
Individual Reactions to CBD
Finally, let's talk about the elephant in the room - individual reactions. One person's miracle could be another person's side effect, especially when it comes to managing anxiety. Your experience with CBD could vary wildly from your friend's, based on numerous factors.
Because of the variability between individuals, it is typically recommended to start with a low CBD dose and work your way up from there.
Navigating CBD Gummies for Anxiety
So, you've been hearing a lot about CBD gummies and their potential to help with anxiety, and now you're thinking of trying them out? Well, you've come to the right place! Here's the scoop—my top five friendly tips to guide you through your CBD gummy journey.- Chat With a Mental Health Professional: You know how before any big trip you make sure to check all your gear and map your journey? Well, it's no different here! Before going all out on CBD gummies, have a chat with your healthcare professional. Make sure CBD gummies will play nicely with any other meds or conditions you're dealing with. Consider it your personal pre-trip briefing!
- Only The Best For You, Buddy! Next stop on the list—always, and I mean always, go for reputable CBD gummy brands. They're like your dependable friends who never have anything to hide, always up-front about what's in their products and how they're made.
- Trustworthy brands put your well-being first, and we all need that kind of reliability. They also have a CoA for all products.
- Start Small And Go Slow: I know, the excitement can make us all a little impatient but remember, this isn't a race! Start off with a small dose of CBD gummies and go from there. This way, you're the one at the helm, adjusting the dosage based on how your body interacts with it—kinda like finding the right speed while test-driving a new car.
- Keep A Keen Eye: Pay close attention to how your body responds to the CBD gummies. Are they making a difference to your anxiety levels or mood? How's your overall wellness? Remember, you're the captain here, so stay alert and navigate your CBD voyage with calm and conscious control.
- Don't Forget Your Other Tools: While CBD gummies could be a great new co-pilot in your journey with anxiety, it's vital not to forget about your other coping tools. Incorporate relaxation techniques, regular exercise, or any stress-busting activities you love. Variety, after all, is the spice of life.
The CBDA Factor: A Newcomer in Anxiety Relief
If you think you've got a handle on all things cannabis, I've got a surprise for you! Allow me to introduce CBDA or Cannabidiolic Acid. It might not have the same immediate name recognition as its cousin CBD but don't count it out just yet. It's stepping onto the anxiety relief stage, and folks, it's ready to make its mark.
CBDA and the Serotonin System
A fascinating aspect of CBDA is its interaction with serotonin receptors. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter playing a crucial role in regulating mood, and its receptors are well-recognized targets in managing anxiety and depression. Pre clinical trials indicates that CBDA interacts more robustly with the serotonin receptor 5HT1A than CBD.
While this field of study is still young, early findings suggest a promising future for CBDA in anxiety relief.
Comparing CBDA, CBD, and THC Cannabis Compounds
Trying to compare CBDA, CBD, and THC is a bit of a tricky territory. Why? Well, these three amigos interact with our bodies differently. This is majorly due to their different absorption mechanisms and how they interact afterward.Specifically, CBDA - a carboxylic acid - brings its unique traits to the table. Some might even say it's the eccentric cousin of the family. But what are these unique traits?
- CBDA Enhanced Absorption: CBDA has between 500% and 1000% better absorption than CBD making it the most potent cannabinoid on the market.
- Anti inflammatory properties: CBDA has been shown in multiple studies to inhibit the inflammatory enzyme COX2 and decrease its production.
- Anxiety and stress: In addition to serotonin activation, CBDA also works with the endocannabinoid system to help boost your mood. Similar to CBD, it can interact with the CB2 receptor found in most parts of the brain.
Knowledge is power, right? So understanding these unique characteristics can help you tailor their use for various needs, including anxiety management, to best suit you. The emerging revelation of CBDA having a potentially more potent impact on serotonin receptors than CBD might revolutionize the way we approach anti-anxiety treatments. Just imagine the possibilities!
Conclusion
So, let's tie up the loose ends. CBD gummies, and now CBDA gummies, have caught quite the buzz because of the fancy tango they dance with the serotonin receptors in our brains. That's the nerdy way of saying they might just be a valuable teammate when dealing with anxiety. But remember, not all players work the same way on the field—how effective CBD gummies turn out to be can boil down to things like dosage, quality, and of course, your body's unique makeup.
Before you bolt out there, though, just a friendly head's up—too much of a good thing can also flip the script. Like that extra slice of cake you couldn't resist, too much CBD can actually ramp up the anxiety for some folks. So, finding that sweet spot with CBD dosage is key!
Now, our chat would be incomplete without nods to the exciting new stars on the stage. We've got CBDA, who is joining the scene as a promising ally for anxiety relief, and THC, who might be playing a behind-the-scenes role in enhancing CBD's effects.
Alright, before you head off on your CBD gummy journey, here are some parting words of wisdom— team up with health pros, base your actions on more research, and be ready to embrace the changes in the CBD field. After all, being informed and adaptable is the ace up your sleeve as your CBD journey unfolds!
