Anxiety happens to all of us in our daily lives. One best example of having anxiety is the nervous feeling you have before going for a job interview. We often get told to relax and stay calm in nerve-wracking situations like that, yet, there are times it does not work. So that brings me to a question: what else can you do?
There are numerous ways to relieve your anxiety. Some ways you can passively do while others need a bit of effort. Today, researchers find more ways to relieve anxiety, and one of them is developing a product we call CBD.
CBD products had been shaking the market for the past few years. The product claims to have multiple benefits, and that includes, you guessed it, relieving anxiety. In this article, you will learn about how CBD capsules help manage anxiety. I will also include three other ways to relieve it as a bonus!
Table of Contents
Understanding Anxiety: Mild To Panic
There are many definitions of anxiety, but it is often described as the fear of the “unknown.” According to the American Psychological Association (read more), it is an emotion characterized by the feeling of tension, worried assumptions such as “what ifs,” and physical changes like increased heart rate. It is a normal body reaction to stress, but it can be severe if not treated.
Levels Of Anxiety
Mild
Mild anxiousness is the one that we experience the most in our daily lives. It is clinically non-significant, but it can impact productivity, emotions, and social functioning. Another example of this level is being shy to ask out someone you admire.
Moderate
At this level, people may experience frequent symptoms of nervousness. An example of this level is feeling on edge for longer than hours or days. However, people experiencing moderate nervousness can still function better than the next two levels.
Severe
The symptoms at this level are intense and debilitating. That means the person experiencing severe anxiety has a low productivity level and appears weak. The signs and symptoms include persistent feelings of panic, social withdrawal, and increased heart rate.
Panic
The most severe form of anxiety and it would often lead to phobias. People with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) experience panic at anything that reminds them of the traumatic event. At this level, you can observe signs such as nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and screaming or losing consciousness.
CBD Capsules: What You Need To Know
Now that you understand a fraction of the “fear of the unknown,” let us move on to the compound that can help you manage it. CBD, you may have heard of it from your friends or family, but let us get into a bit more detail. It is called Cannabidiol, a one-of-many phytocannabinoid in the cannabis plant family.
Cannabis plants in the past were known for a compound called THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is abundant in marijuana. Because of the intoxicating effect and its addictive properties of THC, cannabis plants were in the bad spotlight. That slowly changed after the 2018 Farm Bill was implemented. The use of THC (of 0.3% levels and below), as well as CBD, in products became legal.
Cannabidiol is quickly gaining more attention from the public. Some quoted it as a way to experience the beneficial effects of cannabis plants, like relieving anxiety without the intoxicating effect and falling into addiction. The quote is not far from the truth as it has no psychoactive effects as THC has. The chances of being addicted to it are low, but users can still become dependent on it.
You can buy Cannabidiol products in many different forms. There are CBD oils, paste, gummies, and even vape cartridges. Capsules are also another option you can buy from the market. It is your ordinary edible capsule (some markets offer vegan capsules made from vegan ingredients) containing the cannabinoid.
How The CBD Capsule Help Relieve Anxiety
After swallowing the capsule, it is digested in the stomach and absorbed in the small intestine. The compound passes through the hepatic pass (the liver) to metabolize it. The cannabinoid then travels in the bloodstream until it binds into the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) (link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/) receptors to complete a set of actions in the body.
The brain signals activate the endocrine system in our body to secrete a hormone called “serotonin.” Serotonin is known as the happy hormone. It alters your mood as well as relieves anxiety and depression!
Other Ways To Reduce Anxiety
1. Quit Smoking
If you are a smoker and often feel nervous, it is best to quit before it becomes severe. Nicotine is a toxic stimulant that can constrict your blood vessels, leading to palpitations, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. Quitting cigarette or tobacco smoking could increase the level of anxiety over time. Not only do you prevent it from worsening, but it is also a long-term prevention measure against lung cancer and heart diseases!
2. Avoid Caffeine
Like nicotine, caffeine is a stimulant that can increase your heart rate and may also lead to palpitations. If you are an avid coffee drinker, it is best to ditch it once if you are about to do a speech on stage or have your first interview!
3. Practice Deep Breathing Exercises
There are several reasons why you should try deep breathing exercises. It is fruitful, convenient, easy to do, and you can do it any time of the day. Deep breathing exercises are a great way to relieve the tense feeling.