How CBD Helps People Cope With Anxiety in the UK

Updated on October 19, 2020

It is said that one in six people struggle with anxiety in the UK. But apart from conventional methods of coping with anxiety, Britons have popularised the usage of CBD.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is compound of cannabis that is subject to much debate. The science community is researching whether CBD can help Britons cope with anxiety.

And that’s precisely why you’re here. If you want to know more about it, then make sure to continue reading. For now, we will talk about a little about anxiety itself.

What is Anxiety And Why is it So Common in the UK?

Anxiety is a mental disorder where people feel overwhelmed with emotions. These emotions are mostly of worrying character and blood pressure is usually increased as a subsequence.

It is quite common for people to suffer from it. Some experience it every day, while others during certain situations in life. The bottom line is the fact that anxiety plagues our world, and it doesn’t seem to stop.

But what causes it? The main cause of anxiety is usually stress. Stress has been the common denominator in nearly every test study conducted on the disorder. Stress at work, at school, financial stress, stress from political issues, socioeconomic issues, etc.

How Can CBD Help You Cope With Anxiety?

CBD has been around for thousands of years. However, it was only recently that we have found out about it. The compound is predominantly found in the cannabis plant, while it is also found in hemp.

Scientists still need to do a lot more research on the potential benefits, but initial signs are proving positive. Before the UK considers CBD as a means to cope with anxiety, there needs to be years of intense research in all aspects.

As of current time of writing, there is no concrete evidence that CBD can completely get rid of anxiety. But there are signs that it can help you cope with it.

So, what’s the science behind it? Well, it seems that what CBD has going for it is the fact that it can affect serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical that is responsible for your mood.

But not just that, it can also affect digestion, behaviour, and sleep. By taking CBD, you are affecting serotonin levels in the brain. The more CBD affects this, the more it will act as a sort of antidepressant.

How To Take CBD?

Britons should know that there is more than one way of taking CBD. The compound is sold in dispensaries in many forms. The most popular one is oil. CBD oil is very easy to digest and acts as an alternative to coping with anxiety.

To buy CBD oil in the UK, browse cbdoilguides.co.uk and other comparison sites for an idea of what’s on the market. Other common CBD products include topicals, edibles, tinctures, capsules, vaping, smoking, and more.

  • Capsules

The great thing about CBD capsules is the fact you have clear measurements for dosage. Each capsule packs a different punch, but each capsule is clearly labelled as to how much CBD it contains.

You take this product the same way as you would take any other capsule. You swallow it with a glass of water and wait for the effects to kick in. The digestion of the contents is very easy as the capsule is easily degraded.

  • Vaping

Vaping is one of the newest forms of taking CBD as it became popular at the same time as vaping. To vape CBD, you will need to buy a cartridge that contains oil.

Unlike digesting a capsule, vaping CBD goes directly to your bloodstream making it one of the most potent ways of taking CBD. To vape cannabidiol, you will need a vape pen equipped with a CBD oil cartridge. You can even make your own oil but that’s for another time.

  • Tinctures

CBD tinctures are exactly what they sound. It’s a small bottle with a dropper where the CBD oil is fat-soluble and goes directly into your mouth. The oil is designed in a way so consumption is nice and easy. This is a great way of taking CBD as it goes quickly into your system upon consumption.

  • Edibles

Edibles are also new products that are designed for younger audiences. They are very popular in the UK and they mostly come in the form of chocolate of gummy bears.

These edibles are CBD-infused and a great way to measure dosage. Same as capsules, each product has clear instructions and labels regarding dosage.

  • Smoking

And lastly, we have smoking. Smoking CBD is also very popular as it is one of the more conventional means of consuming. Same as vaping, the CBD goes directly to your bloodstream upon consumption. This makes it yet another potent way of taking CBD, but there is a twist to it.

You won’t have the chance to smoke pure CBD strains as they don’t exist. Most CBD-high strains are designed to be low on THC. For example, Charlotte’s Web is a popular CBD-high strain that has round 20% of CBD content.

So if you’re looking to take CBD without any THC, then smoking isn’t the best way to do it.

Potential Side Effects

As with anything that we use to help cope with certain disorders or ailments, we should read about potential side effects. Luckily for you, side effects rarely appear when taking CBD.

However, they do exist and those are:

  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Appetite changes
  • Weight changes

Based on research, these seem to be the only side effects of taking CBD. But, as with any other potential coping method, it might interfere with certain medications that you might be on. That’s why you should always consult with an expert before taking CBD.

Finishing Thoughts

The ease of use, wide range of products, and excellent potency is precisely why Britons choose CBD as a way to cope with anxiety. While further research is needed on the subject of CBD and anxiety, initial results are providing positive results.

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.