When the CBD craze first hit the scene several years ago, I must admit that I was doubtful. I couldn’t get past my youthful experience with cannabis and the dreaded paranoia and anxiety that came with every peer pressured attempt to be cool. Can this magic plant be any different than its well-loved cousin? Can it really be the solution to everyone’s problems? To answer that, we’ll need to go back to the basics.
How is CBD different than THC in treating anxiety?
THC and CBD are typically two of the leading compounds found in cannabis. THC offers the high associated with cannabis use and can lead to unforeseen side effects. THC can cause our cannabinoid receptors to be overstimulated and activate our fight or flight response. Which can create even more anxiety and paranoia in a person.
While hemp derived CBD, on the other hand, has no psychoactive properties, meaning you cannot get high from CBD alone. CBD has been found to ease anxiety and create a more relaxed feeling than THC; making it a better choice for those suffering from anxiety conditions.
My Journey with Anxiety
I have suffered from anxiety my entire life. I can clearly remember the first time I experienced a panic attack. I was 5 years old at an amusement park. At the time, I was too young to know what was happening to me. Just that one moment I was having fun on a ride, the next the world seemed too loud, the air seemed too thick to swallow, and my heart was attempting to fly from my chest. To this day, many years later, amusement parks can still have this effect on me, though I have developed coping mechanisms to avoid full blown attacks.
Since that first attack, anxiety has been the invisible enemy I battle every day. Panic attacks have me taking cover in bathroom stalls at work. My thoughts run circles in my mind for hours, reliving the smallest comment from the weeks previous or walking through endless situations that haven’t occurred yet.
Over the last few years, my anxiety reached a peak, and I realized that the shadow I’ve walked with for over two decades didn’t have to be there. I’ve introduced many things into my wellness routine to help manage my anxiety, and CBD is one of the more impactful parts of my process.
Along Came CBD
As I stated, initially I was very skeptical of CBD, but I was determined to try and find natural remedies for my anxiety before turning to pharmaceuticals. I challenged myself to change my diet, exercise habits, and coping mechanisms. While I felt some relief from those changes, I was still having trouble silencing my mind long enough to fall asleep and, though lessened, my anxiety attacks were still frequently present.
I introduced CBD into my daily routine in 2021 in the form of a full spectrum hemp extract tincture taken sublingually (below the tongue) every night about 30 minutes before bed. The first night I was expecting to either feel nothing, or to feel overly tired in the morning like I usually did when taking melatonin or other sleep aids. While my brain was working overtime to prove myself wrong and kept me awake for about an hour after lying down, I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up. There was no morning fog; I was more focused and awake than I had been in a long time.
After a week of taking the tincture, I was falling asleep within 20 minutes of hitting the pillow, my overbearing thoughts turned to a gentle whisper. Each day I woke up refreshed and ready to start the day. After a month, I was more productive at work, had more energy throughout the day, and my over analyzing took a back seat to more positive thoughts. When a panic attack started to come on, I simply took an extra dose during the day; and it drastically improved the length and severity of the attack.
It’s been almost three years since I’ve started using CBD to manage my anxiety. I have experimented with many options over the years and now take a gummy nightly before bed and use my tincture on an as-needed-basis. Finding the right mix has made a huge impact on my quality of life. Everyone is unique and your experience may be different from my own.
Enough About Me…Find Your Own CBD that Suits YOU
CBD is an all-natural solution that is safe, legal, and makes me feel better. Many start their journey simple saying gummies are a good step. They’re convenient to carry along with you and often taste great!
Find your own start that suits you. What do you have to lose?