4 Best CBD Products to Ease Anxiety in 2023
Article written by
Tina MagrabiSenior Content Writer
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis Jassey
Anxiety is a common mental health condition that is on the rise. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 40 million U.S. adults grapple with anxiety disorders each year. Anxiety disorders are America’s most common mental illness and are deemed highly treatable. Only about 37 percent of people afflicted with anxiety receive treatment. The 63 percent of anxiety-plagued Americans who have not received treatment might be best served to explore anxiety relief through CBD products.
Discover the top CBD products for anxiety for 2024 in the form of CBD oils, CBD gummies, creams, and capsules. Pick the best (legal) CBD product for you as you explore Leafwell’s exclusive rankings.
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Our Picks for 2024
- Best CBD Oil for Anxiety: Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil
- Best CBD Gummies for Anxiety: Green Roads CBD Relax Bears
- Best CBD Cream for Anxiety: Spruce Deep Chill CBD Lotion
- Best CBD Capsules for Anxiety: Sunsoil Vegan Capsules
How CBD Helps Anxiety
Mainstream medical acceptance is growing that CBD helps patients suffering from anxiety and related disorders. ThePermanente Journal is a peer-reviewed publication covering scientific research and innovative healthcare published by the Kaiser Permanente medical network. In 2019, The Permanente Journal published findings from an American psychiatric research project into the efficacy of CBD in treating anxiety and associated insomnia.
The study, titled “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series,” tracked the outcomes of 103 adults under clinical care for anxiety and depression at a Fort Collins, Colorado, mental health facility that concentrates on integrative medicine and psychiatry.
Nearly all patients were given 25 mg doses of CBD in capsule form. A minority of patients received 50 mg or 75 mg of CBD. One patient with schizoaffective disorder and a trauma history increased gradually to 175 mg.
Within the first month of receiving cannabidiol dosage, 79.2 percent of patients in the study experienced decreased anxiety levels. Those anxiety levels remained reduced during the study’s duration. Sleep scores showed a 66.7 percent improvement with cannabidiol treatment but fluctuated.
This study is just one example of how CBD products can help treat anxiety.
How to Use CBD for Anxiety
CBD is an active ingredient of the cannabis plant that produces no psychoactive reaction. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD provides no intoxicating high, yet trace amounts of the psychoactive cannabinoid may be present (in concentrations of less than 0.3 percent).
CBD oils, gummies, and other products use one of three common varieties of CBD:
- Full-Spectrum CBD, the richest CBD, contains the complete cohort of phytochemicals (phyto meaning from the plant) that the cannabis plant has to offer. All cannabinoids, terpenes, and oils are present in full-spectrum CBD, including detectable amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
- Broad Spectrum CBD contains every phytochemical that Full Spectrum CBD has, minus the THC.
- CBD Isolate is a distillation of pure CBD. No other phytochemicals are present in CBD Isolate.
Products
To determine if you are purchasing a high-quality CBD product, look for these benchmarks:
- The product is tested for safety.
- Third-party lab testing.
- Products tested for cannabinoid and terpene content.
- No outrageous medical claims are being made (unless they have good evidence proving it!).
- The company is willing to put its product(s) through clinical trials.
Ingestion Methods
The first-timer’s CBD product should be in the form of ingestion where dosage can be precisely controlled. Tinctures are usually an excellent first go-to.
CBD oils and tinctures are best applied under the tongue (sublingually) in a measured dose from a medicine dropper. Let the liquid pool under the tongue for at least 20 seconds before swallowing.
After checking dosage and CBD variation, CBD gummies and candies are popped in the mouth and chewed meditatively. However, a tincture may best serve those who wish to watch their sugar intake.
Dosage
For beginners, start with a low-dose product, perhaps as low as 5 mg. Gradually increase the dosage until determining whatever is most effective. We generally recommend full- or broad-spectrum CBD products, as many find them more effective. However, those worried about drug testing may want to utilize CBD isolates.
Potential Side Effects
The potential side effects of CBD are rare and typically mild. You may experience headaches, nausea, or skin rash when using CBD products. Dizziness and fatigue may also occur. Be sure to consult with your physician if any of these symptoms progress from mild to moderate or severe.
It’s also a good idea to stick with CBD products from brands that certify an independent third-party lab has tested the CBD product for safety, purity, and strength of contents.
Using CBD with Prescription Anxiety Medications
As with all medical cannabis products, be sure to consult with a primary caregiver before embarking upon CBD treatment. There can be a risk of CBD producing unwanted reactions with prescription medications.
Some prescription anxiety medications may negatively interact with CBD products. For example, the common anti-anxiety medication Xanax may increase the risk of developing side effects from CBD. Using CBD with Xanax can be dangerous, so speak with your doctor before mixing the two drugs. Also, refrain from drinking alcohol when using CBD products.
Best CBD Products for Anxiety
There are thousands of CBD products on the market, and choosing one can feel overwhelming. Leafwell has researched for you and selected these top four CBD products for anxiety for 2024.
Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil
Charlotte’s Web CBD Oil comes from one of the best brands for CBD products. Made with certified organic full-spectrum hemp extract, this CBD oil is considered maximum strength at 6,000 milligrams per 100-milliliter bottle. Flavors of mint chocolate, lemon twist, and orange blossom enhance the experience.
Green Roads CBD Relax Bears
If the thought of gummy bears makes you smile, Green Roads CBD Relax Bears might be the right product for you. Gluten-free and featuring USA-grown hemp, these gummies are made from pure CBD isolate. Enjoy candy-inspired flavors like blue raspberry and green apple.
Deep Chill CBD Lotion
Produced in small batches, Deep Chill CBD Lotion is gentle on your skin with no pesticides but plenty of soothing ingredients like aloe vera and eucalyptus leaf oil. This 100% natural product is made with coconut MCT oil and a full spectrum of therapeutic terpenes and cannabinoids.
Sunsoil Vegan CBD Capsules
Vegans will rejoice that Sunsoil Vegan CBD Capsules contain no animal by-products. This potent product clocks in at a robust 20 milligrams per capsule, making it suitable for people with experience using CBD. The use of organic hemp plants and organic coconut oil round out the benefits of these third-party lab-tested CBD capsules.
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