Finding Relief: Can CBD Alleviate Panic Attacks and Anxiety?
Updated: Mar 3
Can CBD Help?
While science has not pinpointed the exact cause of anxiety and panic attacks, studies have shown that CBD could be effective. This is huge for anyone who has had to cope with the physical and emotional upheaval or deal with other people’s doubt or denial that the symptoms are real.
Millions of Americans are suffering from anxiety disorder, which is affecting more and more people in Western countries, including the US. Those who have it feel awful, for reasons that are hard for them to explain. Anxiety attacks start when a person reacts to a stressor, like feeling threatened or afraid of a particular event or situation. When the stressor goes away, so does the anxiety attack.
However, panic attacks (more formally called Panic Disorder) are not focused on a stressor. They relate to repeated and unanticipated feelings of intense fear, followed by symptoms that can feel like a heart attack.
Panic attacks can cause a variety of symptoms, including chest pains, pounding or racing heart, tingling in various body parts, chills, dizziness and nausea or upset stomach, terror such as fear of dying or losing control, a feeling of deep anxiety between episodes, and a phobia about the place or situation where the attack took place.
Panic attacks can leave deep emotional scars and severely limit your life. They can progress into avoiding certain environments or situations because they seem similar to the conditions of a previous attack, avoiding crowds, enclosed areas, physical exercise — any place or activity where you feel you couldn’t escape during another attack, and an inability to relax and feel like yourself between attacks and instead being overtaken by fear of another one.
A number of studies have looked into CBD as a treatment for anxiety and panic attacks, some showing that it may work by affecting serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that occurs naturally in everyone’s body, helping to regulate mood, sleep, digestion, and behavior. Reported effects of CBD that could be helpful in treating anxiety include uninterrupted sleep, feeling more relaxed, fewer racing thoughts, improved ability to focus, and a more positive outlook. A survey of 49 studies found other encouraging evidence that supported CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, and other conditions including social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
CBD tinctures and oils are a simple, accurate way to use CBD; making these products a great option for those looking for a natural way to deal with anxiety. The oils are made of CBD extracts combined with a carrier oil, usually coconut or hemp seed oil. Tinctures generally have CBD extracts in an alcohol base. Both forms of CBD are taken with a dropper, allow you to measure your intake, are taken under the tongue, enter the bloodstream quickly, can produce results in as little as 10 minutes, and may last up to 3 or 4 hours.
Low and slow is the best approach. And the right dose depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your condition, your weight and metabolism, and your sensitivity to CBD. Pay close attention to your symptoms and take as little CBD as needed to ease them to a point where you feel better. Definitely start with a single, low dose each day. If needed, you can gradually increase the milligrams you take or add another dose. And of course, discuss all of this with your doctor beforehand. Some average doses of CBD for anxiety would be mild anxiety – 5 to 15mg, moderate anxiety – 25 to 30mg, and severe anxiety – 30 to 60mg.
When you’re in the throes of a panic attack, it’s natural to want to do something to stop it. But some of the most common actions people take can actually make the situation worse. It's important to avoid caffeine, eating or drinking anything with refined or artificial sugar, turning to alcohol, and eating trans fats. Instead, try taking steps to improve your overall well being by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, practicing meditation or deep breathing, and eating a healthy diet.
Keep Working Toward Your Own Easy Day
Anxiety and panic attacks can have long-lasting effects on one's self-confidence and disrupt daily life to the point of unrecognizability. As someone who has spent a decade serving as a US Navy SEAL and an additional five years as a High Threat Security Contractor, I understand the amount of time and dedication it takes to recover and live a well-balanced, natural existence. The discipline and effort required to achieve this balance are well worth it, as the benefits will last a lifetime.
If you or a loved one is dealing with anxiety or panic attacks and are interested in exploring the potential benefits of CBD, consider checking out Easy Day Hemp's wide selection of high-quality CBD oils. Incorporating CBD into your daily routine could be a natural way to support your mental and emotional well-being. Click here to learn more.
Sources:
Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: A large case series. The Permanente Journal, 23, 18-041. doi: 10.7812/TPP/18-041
Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836. doi: 10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
Crippa, J. A., Derenusson, G. N., Ferrari, T. B., Wichert-Ana, L., Duran, F. L., Martin-Santos, R., ... & Hallak, J. E. (2011). Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: A preliminary report. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(1), 121-130. doi: 10.1177/0269881110379283
Bergamaschi, M. M., Queiroz, R. H., Zuardi, A. W., & Crippa, J. A. (2011). Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent. Current Drug Safety, 6(4), 237-249. doi: 10.2174/157488611798280924
Linge, R., Jiménez-Sánchez, L., Campa, L., Pilar-Cuéllar, F., Vidal, R., Pazos, A., ... & Díaz, Á. (2016). Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: Role of 5-HT1A receptors. Neuropharmacology, 103, 16-26. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.12.017