Often called an epidemic of the modern world, anxiety is something that we all experience at some point. For many, the unwanted state is only temporary. For others, it never really passes. The latter, chronic kind of anxiety, is something that can take a serious toll on anyone’s life. Left unmanaged, it will affect our relationships, work performance, or even physical health.
Approximately 40 million Americans get diagnosed with anxiety every year. Some of them seek medical treatment, while others turn to alternative means of getting better. CBD oil, in particular, stands out as one of the more popular anti-anxiety supplements. Today we will go over what it is, how it works, and what to watch out for when buying it.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD—an abbreviation of cannabidiol, is the second-most abundant chemical found in the cannabis plant. In stark contrast to the more recreationally-taken THC, CBD is not psychoactive, which means that it will not make us high. Instead of sending us into an altered state of consciousness, CBD binds to the so-called endocannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout our bodies. Once activated, they help regulate processes like:
- Cognitive performance
- Pain, or at least our perception of it
- Body temperature
- Mood
- Immune function
- Memory
In layman’s terms, once ingested, CBD helps our bodies keep better track of how they work. And once our bodies can tell that something is wrong, they can balance it out. Nearly every current (and potential) use of CBD relies on the above-mentioned mechanic.
How Can CBD Oil Help with Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural response, developed over the course of human evolution and meant to help us deal with danger. When we are anxious, we are alert, and are thus more likely to react to changes in our environment. In theory, once the hazard goes away, so should our state of anxiety. But what if it doesn’t?
It is an unfortunate fact that we human beings have still not fully adjusted to the modern world. Deadlines, interpersonal relationships, overly complicated lives, etc. can all lead to a perceived state of never-ending tension. Our lives aren’t in danger, but we still feel as if they are. And tearing ourselves out of that state can be difficult, sometimes even impossible.
CBD oil can help us with that problem. Upon ingestion, CBD will cause the following changes within our bodies:
- It will increase our output of serotonin, which is our first line of defense against anxiety.
- Our levels of anandamide, the bliss hormone, will also rise.
- It will stimulate our hippocampus, which helps the body regulate itself.
- The GABA receptors in our brain will work better, helping us “slow down.”
Simply put, we will feel better and more relaxed, much more frequently. And as we persist with taking CBD, the positive effects will only get more pronounced.
What to Consider When Buying CBD Oil
The market that has sprung around hemp-derived products is not only huge, but keeps growing. That can be both good and bad. On the upside, getting one’s hands on CBD oil has become easier than ever. The downside, of course, is that nearly anyone can offer their product, regardless of its quality.
You will only ever want to ingest high-quality CBD. Before buying, you should make sure that the product is:
- Derived from organic hemp
- Extracted via CO2 extraction.
- Certifiably tested in a third-party lab
It also wouldn’t hurt to buy locally, as US-based vendors are subject to stricter regulations than those in the rest of the world.
Recommended CBD Oil Retailers
Buying reputable brands will often save you a lot of time. We recommend the following CBD vendors:
- CBD Pure
- CBDistillery
- Royal CBD
Conclusion: A Healthy Supplement Against Anxiety
No one wants to feel anxious, especially for extended periods of time. By reminding our brains just how easy it is to hit the brake pedal, CBD can be an amazing (and side-effect-free) tool in anyone’s fight against anxiety. And for those of us suffering from chronic anxiety, it is a complete game changer.