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Calming the Mind: A Look at CBD's Role in Anxiety Management

The search for affordable, safe, and effective treatments is increasingly focusing on CBD oil.

By carolyn patten August 14, 2024

The topic of this story was provided by our review partner, Originated Media; SagaCity Media has editorial oversight over specific content.

Anxiety is on the rise — from worrying about the climate and world politics to the uncertainties of everyday life. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults (19.1 percent of the population) age 18 and older.”

This year’s mental health poll from the American Psychiatric Association show that US adults are feeling increasingly anxious: “43 percent of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37 percent in 2023 and 32 percent in 2022.”

Easing Anxiety with CBD

With so many people dealing with anxiety, the search for affordable, safe, and effective treatments is increasingly focusing on CBD oil.

In February 2024, the University of Colorado reported on results of a controlled, randomized study of 300 individuals with anxiety, noting that this was “the first randomized trial to examine how legal, commercially available cannabis impacts anxiety symptoms.”

According to the study’s author: “CBD products may be able to relieve anxiety in the moment for adults who use them, and possibly longer-term, in a way that is meaningful and doesn’t necessarily produce the same risks or harms of THC or prescription medications. We need more data before we can make conclusive recommendations, but this is promising news.”

CBD and THC — What’s the Difference?

Harvard Medical School breaks it down: “Cannabidiol is one of the two best-known active compounds derived from the marijuana plant. The other is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the substance that that produces the ‘high’ from marijuana.”

CBD can also be derived from hemp, a relative of the marijuana plant. A PBS guide to CBD, published shortly after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production and sale of hemp and its by-products, noted that “hemp, by federal law, cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC. Anything with more THC is classified as marijuana.”

The fact that CBD products aren’t regulated by any official body, including the Food and Drug Administration, means that some may contain trace amounts of THC that could possibly show up in drug screening.

Is CBD Safe?

According to a report from the World Health Organization, "In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public-health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD."

How to Choose a CBD Product

Here are some tips from Healthline on checking ingredient labels:

• Avoid products that have no mention of cannabidiol or hemp extract and only list hemp seeds, hempseed oil, or Cannabis sativa seed oil. These are not the same as CBD.

• Reputable CBD products will come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA), meaning they’ve been tested by an outside laboratory. CBD and THC concentrations on the COA should match the product label.

• For full- or broad-spectrum CBD, cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC) should be on the list.

• Look for heavy-metal and pesticide analyses. The status column in The COA should say “pass.”

Where to Buy CBD Products

In 2014, Oregon became one of the first states to legalize cannabis, and according to a 2023 Real Estate Witch survey, Portland has the country’s most marijuana dispensaries per 100,000 residents — a whopping 13.7 — many of which also sell CBD products. There’s a lot to choose from, so look for a dispensary that has been in business for several years and has a knowledgeable staff who can make recommendations.

CBD products are also available in major drugstores, compounding pharmacies, and online. When buying, follow the tips on reading labels, start with small doses and keep track of what works.

Portland Monthly