Are you worried constantly? Have you tried CBD Gummies or CBD oil for anxiety? Well, your anxiety might be treatable without a prescription. Check out how to use CBD gummies or CBD oil for anxiety, how to choose the best CBD for anxiety, Hemp vs Marijuanas difference, THC vs CBD, does CBD show up on a drug test, available CBD products, and more to read.Â
Is CBD something that could help you in this stressful world?
AnxietyÂ
Anxiety is unfortunately very common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety occurs in almost 20% of adults. Chances are if you do not have anxiety, you likely know someone who does.
Anxiety manifests differently in different people. Always speak with your doctor if you have concerns. Anxiety can improve with lifestyle changes in many people. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended for anxiety not controlled with lifestyle changes alone. Medication or herbals, while useful, are the last resort.
Symptoms of Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Excessive fear
- Excessive worrying
- Frequent urination
- Inability to focus
- Increased heart rate
- Racing thoughts
- Sense of impending doom
- Shaking
Managing Anxiety
Minimize caffeine and alcohol use since these can increase anxiety rather than help. Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains. A healthy diet can have a huge impact on all parts of your health, mental health included. Prioritize sleep and exercise.
Have you tried CBD gummies or CBD oil for anxiety?
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Hemp vs Marijuanas Difference
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a product of the hemp plant which is related to marijuana. Marijuana, also known as weed, has been listed as a controlled substance for years. So, what is the hemp vs marijuanas difference? CBD oil is produced from hemp, not marijuana, and does not have the side effect of making a person ‘high’. The hemp plant, however, has been recognized for its potential benefits in the textile and medical industries.Â
Hemp is now allowed to be grown and processed in limited ways thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill opened access to more research on the cannabinoid benefits by providing a cannabis product with less potential for abuse.
CBD vs THC for Anxiety
The oil extracted from hemp contains multiple different phytocannabinoids, one of which is CBD, and another is delta-9 THC, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Researchers have at first concentrated on CBD and on THC, therefore, these are the most recognized. One more Hemp vs Marijuanas difference is that Hemp contains much less THC than marijuana. THC is the chemical most associated with the euphoria one has when using weed. The benefits of using extracts from the entire hemp plant, versus isolates, are being discovered frequently.
THC has many medicinal purposes, despite its history of misuse. Research on THC is ongoing, and we are learning new benefits regularly. It is available as a prescription as dronabinol and at multiple Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in some states. Check out the hemp vs marijuanas difference and similarities in their medicinal benefits.
Medicinal Benefits of THC
- Increase appetite
- Potential for reducing agitation in dementia
- Reduce nausea
- Reduce shaking in Parkinson’s
- Treat anxiety
- Treat depression
- Treat epilepsy
- Treat pain
CBD, on the other hand, has fewer euphoric effects and is much less likely to be abused. The prescription medication, Epidiolex, is an isolate of cannabidiol used specifically for its anti-seizure properties.
Medicinal Benefits of CBD
- Improve sleep
- Reduce anxiety
- Reduce depression
- Reduce nausea
- Reduce pain
- Treat seizures
How to get the best CBD for Anxiety?Â
Both CBD and THC are available without a prescription. Legally purchasing CBD or THC is dependent on each state’s laws and few countries completely ban their use. Please check your state or country’s law before procuring CBD or THC. Many states do not allow purchasing CBD containing greater than 0.3% THC, a limit given by the 2018 Farm Bill.
Due to multiple purchasing options in a non-regulated industry, it is difficult to know if the CBD or THC you purchase is both effective and safe. The FDA does not regulate over-the-counter (OTC) medications. All OTC medications may go to market without testing. The FDA does not step in unless there has already been a safety complaint.Â
Products that are independently tested and manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices should be on the top of your list. Mom-and-pop stores and home-grown CBD products might be avoided. CBD is not the product you will want to purchase like you do your vegetables. Unfortunately, most small businesses cannot ensure the safety, integrity, and legality of their products because they do not have ready access to third-party testing. Hopefully, access will become more available in the future.
Look for a business that readily provides third-party Certificates of Analysis (CoA) showing the amount of each cannabinoid in the mixture as well as the percent of THC. CoA should also be available measuring for the presence of toxins such as pesticide residues, molds, and heavy metals. Hemp plants are naturally useful for removing toxins from soil. Unfortunately, this means the oils extracted from these plants can also contain toxins.Â
Know the CBD you purchase is safe by asking good questions. Ideally, the product you purchase will have very low to undetectable levels of THC and undetectable levels of all the toxins tested. CoA should be a lot and batch specific and not something tested only once on one product. Without this certification, there is no guarantee that the product you purchase is what it claims to be. A legitimate business will be happy to provide the information.Â
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Does CBD show up on a drug test?
This is the most common question I hear – does CBD show up on a drug test? Most CBD available commercially contains a spectrum of cannabinoids with a potential small portion of THC. So, does CBD show up on a drug test? In all instances, there is a risk of testing positive on a drug screen regardless of the concentrations listed on the analysis. This is due to all cannabinoids being structurally similar to THC.Â
If drug testing is a concern, speak with your doctor to determine your best course of action. In addition, safe (or appropriate levels) have not been agreed upon; leaving open the possibility of being accused of THC drug use from days, weeks, or months ago when stopped for a DUI (driving under the influence). If using THC products, or even CBD products, you may want to maintain a picture of your current legal product if you should need to prove your innocence.
Your Anxiety Might Be Treatable Without A Prescription
Available CBD Products
- Candies
- Capsules
- Gummies/chewable
- Oils
- Topicals
How To Use CBD Oil or CBD Gummies for Anxiety?
Anxiety patients may wish to start with CBD gummies or CBD oil to determine which works best for them. The oil is easier to titrate to an optimal dose. Both CBD oils and CBD gummies are available in different flavors. Gummies, however, likely have added sugars. Topicals are not normally recommended for anxiety treatment.
CBD Gummies or other CBD products may lead to drowsiness when used for anxiety. When beginning CBD, you may want to take your first few doses in the evening prior to bedtime until you know how your body reacts.Â
Ask the vendor what the recommended starting dose is for the product you purchase. Recommended doses should also be listed on the container. Then start with that dose for a few days and then increase the dose slowly over the next few days until your anxiety symptoms begin to subside. If anxiety increases with the recommended dose, try taking half of that dose the next time.Â
CBD oil can have the opposite effect, i.e. increasing anxiety if taken at too high of a dose. In general, small doses of CBD are all that are necessary to help with both anxiety and sleep. Larger doses may benefit patients who are trying to treat pain.
The Final Words
CBD gummies or oil can be a useful tool for treating anxiety. It is available without a prescription and can tremendously improve quality of life. Be wary of gas station sales, and other pop-up corner establishments. Purchase your CBD oil or gummies through a local independent pharmacy if you are able to. Otherwise, ask your pharmacist for a quality CBD option. Your pharmacist can also help you determine if your medications are contraindicated with CBD. As with all over-the-counter medications, it is important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before beginning.
ReferencesÂ
- Anxiety disorders. Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. Accessed on September 4, 2022. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/anxiety-disorders
- Any Anxiety Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed August 30, 2022. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder#part_2579.
- Bandelow B, Sher L, Bunevicius R, et al; WFSBP Task Force on Mental Disorders in Primary Care; WFSBP Task Force on Anxiety Disorders, OCD and PTSD. Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder in primary care. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2012 Jun;16(2):77-84.
- Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabinoids: What you need to know. (2019). nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
- Cannabis and cannabinoids (PDQ) — health professional version. (2019).
gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq - Cannabis law. Cannabis Drug Test Variability – The Science and Implications. Accessed September 1, 2022. https://journal.cannabislaw.report/justin-kahn-cannabis-drug-test-variability-the-science-and-the-implications/
- Farm Bill. United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed on September 1, 2022. nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
- Food and Drug Administration. (2018). FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy [Press release].
gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
Dr. Wendi D. Jones, Pharm. D., MSPS
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