As marijuana has become decriminalized across the United States, more people are paying attention to the health benefits that cannabis can provide. Many patients are turning to CBD edibles and other forms of treatment as a way to deal with their anxiety issues. Others are still hesitant to try a new product, even if the science backs up its efficacy. Understanding how CBD can help alleviate stressors may help make trying this new way to help you relax even easier.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound found in hemp and marijuana plants. While not psychoactive, its uses have been studied by scientists for some years. CBD is a cannabinoid like its more well-known cousin, THC, and reacts with certain areas of the brain to help release serotonin and have other beneficial effects. Low serotonin levels have been shown to not only increase the chances of depression but also raise levels of anxiety.

While the mental effects of eating CBD edibles aren’t completely known, it has been shown to be an effective treatment of inflammation. Patients suffering from seizures have also shown dramatic improvement from using CBD, and it has the potential to treat psychosis and other mental disorders as well. As more studies are completed, there will doubtless be other conditions for which the compound will be an effective treatment.

Is CBD Psychoactive?

One of the big concerns many people have over using CBD edibles and other cannabinoid-based treatments is the fear of getting high. Marijuana has long been a recreational drug and has a stigma attached to its use. While smoking a joint may give you all of the CBD you need, it will also load you up on a psychoactive that will alter your perception of reality.  A lot of patients fear using CBD-based products will produce an uncontrollable high, making work, play, and focused relaxation impossible!

Thankfully, there are a lot of differences between CBD and THC the compound’s more psychoactive cousin. The downside to THC is that it produces the well-known “high” effect, causing an inability to properly judge the passage of time as well as impairing reflexes and judgment. For some employees, the loss of control would be devastating. Because CBD doesn’t produce any of those effects and doesn’t show up on drug tests the same way, it is a much more reliable option.

What Kinds of Anxiety does CBD Treat?

While CBD is great to use for a wealth of ailments, it is very useful for regulating serotonin uptake within the brain. Some ways that CBD edibles and other products can help treat anxiety include:

Generalized Anxiety Relief

Anything from public speaking to running a race can cause crippling anxiety. Trial tests have shown that in subjects about to partake in public presentations, CBD has reduced the stress associated with the event. Another study indicates that increased dosages are even more effective at limiting the onset of public speaking stressors. Using CBD can help patients limit the impact that public events have had on their lives.

Depression and Chronic Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder and depression are both conditions that can severely limit how a person interacts with the world. Recent studies suggest that persistent CBD use will help curb some of those feelings by helping to better regular serotonin levels in the brain. It can also help with insomnia brought on by stress, letting you finally get that good night’s sleep you’ve been longing for.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental issue that plagues everyone from disaster survivors to combat veterans and everyone in between. Anyone who has survived a traumatic event may be plagued by horrible memories cycling through their minds and frequent nightmares that haunt both their waking and sleeping selves. Trials and studies indicate that CBD use is an excellent treatment to curb those random thoughts and nightmares, helping people find relief from the horrors of their past.

Ingesting CBD: Edibles, Tinctures, and More

If you’re looking to treat your anxiety with CBD but are worried about smoking? There’s nothing to worry about. Scientists have been able to separate the compound from the plant, offering patients a variety of ways to use CBD products. Some of the more popular options include:

• CBD Edibles
• Oil-based Tinctures
• Mints and Hard Candies
• Drinks and Seltzers
• Vape Concentrates
• Gummies
• Sprays

Because these products all come in different concentrations and volumes, you may need to sample different options before you find one that works best for your condition.

Finding Relief with CBD

Anxiety is a common issue that has overrun the United States, and CBD has been proven to be an effective way to combat its onslaught. Whether it’s for generalized anxiety, depression, or even PTSD, cannabidiol helps to relieve the pressures of stress and pain that keep people back from living their best lives. If you feel that CBD edibles are a great option to meet your mental