CBD and Anxiety: Myth Versus Reality

CBD has been making headlines for the past decade and is among the most controversial beauty buzzwords. People are talking about this product everywhere. However, our collective comprehension of this plant-based ingredient is complicated by some conflicting details. 

Still, an influx of scientific studies is coming up to back claims that CBD may help several physical and mental health issues. However, the link of this extract to cannabis has undoubtedly sparked controversy and confusion over the legality and safe usage. The FDA approved the premier prescription medicine extracted from CBD known as Epidiolex, and the residents of Florida can get the commodity through the medical marijuana program found in the state. 

Still, what is this product exactly? What is it known to do? Is it a cure-all as claimed by others? With all this buzz surrounding it, it is necessary to take a close look at the product, as well as the myths and facts surrounding CBD and anxiety. 

What Exactly is CBD?

So, first things first, we need to understand what this product is. Cannabidiol or CBD is a legal oil obtained from the cannabis plant. Cannabis has become popular for its medicinal features, in particular, pain relief. 

CBD is the second most plentiful and active ingredient found in the cannabis plant after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These two constituents are categorized under the general term of phytocannabinoids. However, they are entirely different.

What Does CBD Do?

This product is classified as a food supplement. So, no medical claims can be made by retailers and manufacturers. However, recent studies suggest that it may be advantageous for several conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, joint pain, migraines, sleep disorders, inflammation, depression, and even anxiety.  

It is even claimed to treat several skin conditions, such as acne, which explains why there is an influx of skincare products infused with CBD. However, industry figures are limited in making claims on precisely how this product works, since it is classified as a food supplement. 

We can only say that phytocannabinoids, including CBD, collaborate with the inherent endocannabinoid system in our bodies, to help in a broad variety of regulatory functions within our bodies. However, hearsay has it that the product could start being classified as a medicine; thus, it will become subject to more research and trials in the future. 

Is CBD Legal in the US?

Only two forms of Cannabis sativa are recognized by the federal government. That is marijuana and hemp. The least processed form of this plant is hemp, which has high levels of CBD, the compound famous for its medicinal properties. However, it has very small traces of THC, which is the psychoactive element that makes a person “high.” 

On the other hand, marijuana is being increasingly bred to have higher THC levels, even more than 30%, while CBD levels are lower than 0.2%. According to the BMJ, in 2018, the US legalized CBD extracted from hemp with THC levels that are no more than 0.3%. 

However, CBD that is derived from the marijuana plant still remains illegal. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), marijuana is a Schedule I drug.

What Are the Myths and Facts Surrounding CBD and Anxiety?

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the usage of CBD for anxiety. Since people do not really understand how this supplement works, they don’t know what to believe or ignore when it comes to CBD. We’re here to debunk the myths surrounding CBD for anxiety. 

Myth 1: CBD for Anxiety Works by Making You High

Fact: CBD barely contains THC. According to CoolThingsChicago, the products that do, only have CBD levels lower than 0.2%. THC is the chemical psychoactive element in cannabis that causes hallucination or a high. However, CBD is derived from hemp, not the cannabis plant that contains THC. 

CBD works by helping block the psychoactive impacts of THC on the brain. So, it helps to lower depression, stress, and even anxiety.

However, as we have said, there are low levels of THC in CBD. Still, rather than make a person high, they improve the effect of CBD. This is sometimes called the “entourage effect.” 

These two compounds work better when combined rather than when in isolation. Just like CBD, THC has therapeutic properties. However, it is advisable to speak to a professional cannabis physician to help one determine the proper ratio of THC to CBD in order to get the best results. 

Myth 2: CBD for Anxiety Is Addictive

Fact: CBD doesn’t function in a similar way to cannabis, and it isn’t addictive. However, it stimulates your serotonin and dopamine levels. So, it gives you a ‘feel-good’ factor. According to The Lancet, this is what helps people suffering from anxiety, depression, and pain. 

It has been proven that CBD improves our endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for controlling and regulating several functions in our body, including appetite, mood, inflammation, and sleep. 

Myth 3: CBD Is a Sedative

Fact: No, CBD is not a sedative. Instead, it makes a lot of patients feel highly relaxed, while at the same time enhancing alertness. However, several strains of marijuana that are high in CBD could also have terpenes. These are organic compounds found in various plants, including marijuana, and they have a sedative effect. 

Myth 4: You’ll Tell Within A Couple of Hours If It Is Working

Fact: While THC may hit hard when it gets to your brain, CBD won’t hit so much. Besides, while some people may report almost instant enhancement in their symptoms after their first trial at CBD products, there’s a very high chance that you don’t feel anything.  

When taking it for anxiety, you might fail to notice changes until you’ve been using it for a couple of weeks. As recommended by The American Journal of Medicine, the best way to tell whether it’s working is by clearly defining the reason you’re taking it before you begin. Once you keep a record of your symptoms over a while, it becomes easier to tell whether or not the supplement works for you. 

Myth 5: CBD Does Not Have Any Side Effects

Any company telling you that the product has no side effects is definitely lying, and not looking out for your interests. Just like everything else we take, CBD isn’t the right fit for every person, and, as seen on CBDKyro, it may have potential side effects when it is taken in very high doses. 

It is important to note that CBD has an impact on how our bodies metabolize particular prescription medications. This is especially for drugs that have a warning on consuming grapefruit, including chemotherapy, anti-epileptics, warfarin, HIV antivirals, etc. 

Besides, if you consume high doses of CBD, you should expect side effects such as digestive changes, lowered appetite, or tiredness. Still, you won’t experience any of these if you maintain the recommended levels, or are taking some specific pharmaceuticals. Just make sure to speak to your doctor beforehand. 

The Future of CBD Use

So, is this supplement just another fad? No, it isn’t. There’s so much optimism surrounding this wellness wonder and its future. 

So many current high-end brands, as well as more straightforward retail routes, are aiding in dragging CBD from the indistinct depths of the realm of alternative wellness and deeply into the mainstream. So, CBD will continue gaining popularity, with more people preferring it over other treatments.