People who suffer from anxiety know all too well how it can severely hinder their ability to lead full and productive lives. The use of cannabidiol (CBD) to help alleviate anxiety has become a safe and effective alternative for some people suffering from these debilitating disorders. 

How Does CBD Work for Anxiety?

Currently, 32% of millennials and 12% of baby boomers in the United States use CBD to treat anxiety, with researchers expecting these percentages to grow over the next few years (Consumer Reports). Chemically, CBD reduces anxiety when the cannabinoids in the product bind to receptors in the brain (Medical News Today). In a 2015 study on cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, researchers demonstrated that CBD reduces anxiety symptoms for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Even Friends actress Jennifer Aniston opened up about her use of CBD to treat anxiety in an interview with Us magazine, stating that CBD actually works for her as it “helps with pain, stress, and anxiety, having all of the benefits of marijuana without the high.” Similarly, Freaks and Geeks actress Busy Philipps stated candidly in an interview with Health that she is a strong proponent of using CBD to treat her paralyzing anxiety. CBD has helped the star calm down when faced with racing thoughts and severe panic attacks. However, these red carpet stars are not the only ones that are experiencing relief from anxiety through the use of CBD. 

 CBD for Anxious Pets…and Their Owners

Many pet owners have turned to CBD to help their dogs, cats, and horses suffering from anxiety, seizures, arthritis, and pain. In the Los Angeles Times article, “Why some pet owners are turning to CBD to treat their ailing animals,” Beverly Hills resident Janelle Hamilton discusses how CBD helped her chihuahua, Apple. Apple displayed anxious behaviors like compulsive fur-licking, pacing by the door, and bouts of incessant barking. Hamilton claims that Apple is a “totally different dog now” and “seems happier” with the help of CBD. Likewise, Montana Lee, 30, mentioned to the Los Angeles Times that when she moved to California from Vancouver, Canada, her Ragdoll cat, Zeus, exhibited hostile behavior such as hissing and scratching. CBD transformed Zeus completely. While Lee’s friends had once nicknamed Zeus “Satan Cat,” he had become a “whole different cat” through the use of CBD. 

Additionally, CBD can undo many of the anxious side effects associated with the consumption of too much THC. Martin Lee, Smoke Signals author and co-founder of Project CBD, states that “Cannabidiol balances the buzz and softens the euphoria–or, in some cases, the dysphoria–induced by THC, which can make people feel very loopy and weird. CBD is the yin of THC’s yang.” Lee’s description of CBD as the yin to THC’s yang perfectly articulates how non-psychoactive CBD counters the effects of THC to create a calming and balanced euphoria. 

Best Times to Take CBD for Anxiety

Many studies show that taking CBD at the right time of day can yield the best results. For people suffering from social anxiety, the best time to take CBD is an hour before attending a social function, or when you might face a stressful situation. The best time of day for people who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder to take CBD is in the morning. A CBD oil product typically lasts four to six hours, which means that people might benefit from another dose later on in the day when the calming effects of the CBD start to wear off. Figuring out how much CBD to take to calm down will depend on how much you’re taking and your cannabinoid receptors.

Overall, there can be countless benefits of using CBD for anxiety. For some, CBD may provide immediate and effective relief without dangerous and addictive components associated with anti-anxiety prescription medications. CBD’s ability to activate serotonin receptors allows users to experience calming effects that both reduce anxiety and boost their mood. For people and pets suffering from anxiety, using CBD can be an effective and safe way to create a happier and healthier way of life.