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By now, you have probably heard many stories about how well CBD works. With all its purported benefits, you may be wondering what CBD can do for you—especially as marijuana legalization and destigmatization continue to permeate throughout the country. Those with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) may be surprised to learn that recent studies have found CBD to have real and measurable anxiolytic effects, making it a potential alternative from more traditional anti-anxiety medications. Read on to find out more.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a type of cannabinoid naturally found in cannabis plants. It is known as the counterpart to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabinoid responsible for the “body high” you may feel after smoking or ingesting marijuana products. CBD, in contrast, has anti-anxiety effects. When isolated, CBD isn’t psychoactive—meaning you can take it wherever you want without having to worry about being high.
What Does the Research Say?
Research on the anxiolytic effects of CBD is new but promising. According to a 2011 study, subjects with SAD tend to self-treat their symptoms with marijuana, likely due to the anxiolytic effects they feel when not dealing with high levels of THC. (You can thank having too much THC for when you get paranoid and freak out when you’re stoned.) The same study found that subjects suffering from SAD experienced “significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment and discomfort in their speech performance, and significantly decreased alert in their anticipatory speech” when treated with CBD, as compared to the placebo group.
Different studies have shown that CBD reduced physiological symptoms of anxiety in animals, along with reducing anxiety-induced insomnia and various symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans. While many more questions must still be explored, the overall outlook is promising.
Moreover, countless people have stories about how well CBD works, and its proven benefits are undeniable. When integrated into a well-rounded anti-anxiety routine, it has the potential to improve your quality of life dramatically.
How Much CBD Do I Need?
If you are interested in trying CBD for your social anxiety disorder, you may want to consult your doctor. They may be able to help you find the right starting dosage for you. A good general rule of thumb to follow, however, is to “start low and go slow.” Effective dosing varies from person to person, and there is no universally recommended dosage (at least, not yet). Everyone’s body makeup is different. Take your time to figure out what works best for you. Consider your body weight, metabolism, the concentration of your CBD, and the severity of your social anxiety. Keep things consistent while working your way up—don’t vary dosages wildly from one day to the next. It won’t help speed up the process and may, in fact, impede it. Your body needs time to get accustomed to anything new.
What Kind of CBD Will Work for Me?
CBD comes in all different shapes and sizes: edibles, vape oils, tinctures, and more. It’s the product of the moment, meaning you are probably overwhelmed with all the options on the market. The bad news: In reality, most commercially available products do not contain enough CBD to provide you with any real, noticeable effects. The good news: Good products are out there if you know how to look for them. When shopping around, look for products that have been third-party tested (and make the results publicly available). You want to ensure that you are getting safe, quality CBD. Alternatively, one can buy seeds online and cultivate cannabis at the comfort of their home to reap similar benefits.
How Long Will It Take to Work?
Tinctures (also known as “CBD oils”) are probably the most popular way to take CBD. When taken sublingually or ingested, the anti-anxiety effects of CBD are generally noticeably felt after one to two hours of dosage. You can help speed this up by taking CBD on an empty stomach or, because CBD is lipophilic (meaning it binds to oils), with an omega-3 supplement or a bit of coconut oil. Don’t be surprised if it takes a few days to notice anything when first integrating CBD into your routine, especially if you’re working your way up from a low dose or are trying to treat severe social anxiety. It is not uncommon to wait up to two weeks before feeling any noticeable results.
What Are the Side Effects?
How much CBD you take may also affect the side effects you experience (if any). For most people, this includes changes in appetite, changes in weight, diarrhea, and fatigue. It’s also possible that CBD will interact with any other medications or supplements you’re taking, especially if you are using any blood thinners or anything with a “grapefruit warning.” Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about any possible interactions.
What Are the Risks?
Smoking marijuana of any kind may negatively affect your health. Fortunately, there are many different ways of consuming CBD. As of now, studies do not show that CBD carries any serious risks—making it a good alternative for those who wish to avoid the side effects of more traditional anti-anxiety medications. Still, take care to follow the CBD laws in your state. While marijuana-derived products are still illegal federally, some states have taken steps towards legalization.
Taking Control of Your Social Anxiety
It’s important to remember that there is no magic “cure-all” for social anxiety. CBD, in particular, requires further research and study. Still, current results are promising. The National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC) suggests adding mindfulness and cognitive restructuring to your anti-anxiety arsenal in addition to CBD. Combining coping mechanisms is the only way to know what will bring about the best and most lasting results for you.
Why not head on over to The Vault Cannabis Seeds Store now and pick up some CBD Cannabis Seeds whilst taking advantage of the discount codes VAULT15 for 15% of your order total!
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Remember: It is illegal to germinate cannabis seeds in many countries including the UK. It is our duty to inform you of this fact and to urge you to obey all of your local laws to the letter. The Vault only ever sells or sends out seeds for souvenir, collection or novelty purposes.
