Edibles Or Tincture?: What’s The Best CBD For Anxiety?

There’s no denying it: mental health issues are rising across the world. Recent estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest a staggering 1 in 13 people globally are dealing with some type of anxiety disorder. With such a massive increase in anxiety-related issues, it’s no wonder doctors, and patients are becoming interested in alternative healing options like cannabidiol (CBD).

 

For those who don’t know already, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in both hemp and marijuana. Unlike the more infamous tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD will not get users “high.” This doesn’t mean, however, that CBD is bereft of medicinal benefits. In addition to helping patients with anxiety, scientists now believe CBD could help patients dealing with epileptic seizures, arthritis, and certain anxiety/depression disorders.

 

Below, we’ll take a closer look at what CBD is and how it could help you manage your anxiety symptoms. This article will also explore the benefits and drawbacks of taking CBD in edible versus tincture form.

 

So, How Does CBD Work?

We all know about our immune, nervous, and digestive systems, but what about the endocannabinoid system? No, some pothead didn’t dream up that word while he was high as a kite! The endocannabinoid system is a genuine part of human physiology that plays a crucial role in keeping our body in a constant state of balance (aka homeostasis). Interestingly, our body comes pre-packaged with receptors that are receptive to cannabinoid compounds.

 

For some inexplicable reason, the cannabis plant just happens to have an abundance of cannabinoids that favorably interact with our endocannabinoid system. Each of these unique compounds has different effects on this system, which in turn produces various therapeutic benefits. There’s also what’s known as the “entourage effect” where certain cannabinoids work together to deliver even more significant medicinal benefits.

 

Although studies are ongoing, it appears CBD works on our endocannabinoid system in a curiously indirect way. Rather than bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptor sites, CBD mainly influences the body by increasing the production of a compound known as anandamide. Sometimes called the “bliss compound,” anandamide plays a crucial role in promoting feelings of contentment. CBD might also help patients by energizing TRPV1 receptors, which play an essential part in regulating bodily pain and inflammation.

 

CBD For Anxiety: The Data so Far

Thanks in large part to its ability to increase anandamide production, CBD has earned some serious props in the mental health industry. Of course, more research is needed, but we can draw a few conclusions on CBD’s effectiveness for anxiety by reviewing the most recent data.

Probably the most widely discussed study on CBD’s ability to help anxiety sufferers was published in a 2011 edition of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. For this study, Brazilian scientists at the University of São Paulo split a group of patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) into two groups. The first group received 600mg of CBD, and the others were given a placebo pill.

 

After about an hour, participants had to give a short public presentation. During their speeches, researchers analyzed various physiological indicators of anxiety. The data from this study clearly suggests patients who were given CBD had fewer apparent symptoms of anxiety (e.g., heart palpitations, sweat, “brain fog”) compared with the non-CBD group.

 

Professors at NYU also released a paper in 2015 where they analyzed all of the latest research on CBD for anxiety. In their meta-analysis, study authors agreed there is enough evidence that suggests CBD is effective for most anxiety conditions when taken in acute doses. One issue this paper raised, however, was the effectiveness of long-term CBD dosing.

 

Gummies: What Are CBD Edibles?

Now that you know a little bit about how CBD works, you might be wondering how you could get this good stuff into your life.  Since the CBD market has proliferated in recent years, manufacturers have come up with many different CBD products for consumers…including gummy candies!

 

CBD edibles are perhaps the most popular segment of the CBD industry today. The term “CBD edible” refers to a product you can eat that has a specific concentration of CBD in it. While CBD-infused chocolates and honey sticks are getting easier to find online, nothing in this arena tops CBD gummies. Whether you’re looking for sour snacks, fruity treats, or sugar-free alternatives, you’d better believe there are a bunch of CBD dosed candies out there waiting for you to eat them! CBD edibles are an excellent option for anyone who’s into grazing or is looking for a more practical way to consume hemp.

 

CBD Tinctures

Another common way to ingest CBD is to use a tincture. To make these tinctures, manufacturers usually place hemp leaves in some form of grain alcohol to separate the desired CBD concentration. Usually, this mixture is set over a heater for a few hours before it’s ready for consumption.

 

Although CBD tinctures used to get a bad rap for their bitter “earthy” taste, some companies (like PureStasis) have started to mix their tinctures with more palatable oils and terpenes. In addition to improving the taste of the CBD tincture, these secondary compounds increase CBD’s medicinal benefits via the entourage effect.

Edibles vs. Tinctures: The Key Distinction

Deciding between CBD edibles and tinctures could be difficult for new consumers. Both of these varieties have different pros and cons, but here’s a general rule of thumb that will help you out: patients with chronic conditions are better suited to the tinctures, but people with acute anxiety issues should consider taking a gummy bear for a Tylenol-like rapid effect.

The reason this is the case has to do with the different ways our body absorbs CBD via edibles and tinctures. Edibles have to be processed through the liver, it obviously takes longer for the body to incorporate CBD into the bloodstream, but the effects are more intense and long-lasting. By ingesting a CBD gummie, you’ll experience a more sustained release of CBD throughout the day, making it more suitable to people suffering from acute pain or anxiety attacks.

 

Tinctures, on the other hand, can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream (assuming you are ingesting them sublingually). All you have to do is squirt a few drops of your CBD concoction under your tongue, hold for about a minute, and swallow. This simple method allows the sublingual artery under the tongue to process the CBD and send it directly into the bloodstream. Contrary to edibles, you can measure exactly how much and when to take a CBD tincture, making it a better solution for people with chronic pain or anxiety disorders.

 

Secondary Consideration For Edibles vs. Tinctures

Still can’t decide between edibles and tinctures? OK, here are a few pros & cons to help you narrow down your search.

 

First off, if privacy is a priority, then you should opt for CBD edibles. It’s not too difficult to pack a few gummies without anyone knowing what you’re really up to. Besides, CBD gummy bears are easier to pop into your mouth without having to measure the exact amount with a dropper. Another issue to consider when looking into CBD products is taste. Although, as we say above, the taste of CBD tinctures has been drastically improved, CBD gummies have a generally sweeter taste.

How To Dose CBD

Currently, there’s no well-established dosage for any CBD products. How much CBD you should take per day will depend largely on what you’re trying to treat and how your body tolerates the cannabinoid.

People who are struggling with generalized anxiety should consider taking CBD at about 10 mg to start with and gradually increase to about 50 mg per day. People who are experiencing acute symptoms like a panic attack will most likely need to take at least 50 mg to stave off these severe symptoms.

 

As with any new substance, start taking CBD at the lowest dose possible and see how your body reacts. Keep increasing the amount of CBD you take per day until you reach the desired results. If you experience any side effects, consider taking a day off of CBD, and then reduce your daily dosage.

 

A Few CBD Side Effects

Although adverse side effects from CBD are rare, they aren’t unheard of. Adverse affects are typically associated with higher does of CBD.  This is important to remember with CBD candies.  Just because they taste good you cannot down a whole bag like they are Sweet Tarts.  You must carefully monitor your dosages and adjust accordingly.  Here are a few of the more common side effects you might experience after taking CBD in higher doses:

 

• Increased fatigue
• Nausea
• Appetite changes
• Digestive issues

 

Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician if you have any questions about taking CBD. This is especially important if you’re on any prescription medications because CBD does have blood thinning and anti-inflammatory effects.

 

Experiment Responsibly With CBD

As doctors continue to learn more about this remarkable cannabinoid, it’s unlikely the CBD trend will die anytime soon. Indeed, the CBD market is projected to grow to at least $16 billion in the ensuing years.

Many patients suffering from mental health issues have noticed significant benefits from incorporating CBD into their daily lives, so definitely consider giving CBD a try if you’re struggling with depression or anxiety. Check out our CBD gummies  and other edible CBD products if you want to enjoy CBD in its most delicious form!