Panic attacks are a lot like earthquakes. You know they’ll happen, but predicting when they hit is another story entirely. That uncertainty can keep you on edge, causing you to avoid people and places you think might trigger the Big One.
Despite their unpredictability, it’s important to remember that you have a lot more control over panic attacks than you think. Just as buildings are designed to withstand earthquakes, CBD for panic attacks is a natural way to fortify yourself against these sudden episodes of intense anxiety and fear.
If you’re no stranger to panicky temblors that turn your world upside down and leave you shaken to the core, you’ll love today’s CBD 101 blog. We’ll learn why CBD is the perfect choice for people with panic attacks, find out how much you need to feel better and discover how to choose the best CBD product for you.
Now, let’s explore how taking CBD for panic attacks can help you feel more relaxed, calm, and in control of everyday stress.
What’s in CBD oil that helps panic attacks?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, the active ingredient in over-the-counter CBD products for occasional panic attacks.
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Cannabidiol is the main natural medicine produced by the cannabis plant, so researchers call it a “major” cannabinoid. But it’s not the only beneficial compound your CBD oil should have for maximum panic attack relief.
“Minor” cannabinoids are CBD’s little helpers. They are produced in trace amounts and really give CBD the oomph it needs to tackle panic attacks head-on. The best quality CBD products contain additional cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and even tiny amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Don’t worry — over-the-counter CBD from brands like Cannabiva® have nowhere near enough THC to make you feel “loopy” or “high.”
Cannabinoids promote powerful anxiolytic and mood-enhancing health benefits on their own, but the real magic happens when you combine them. Together, they amplify each other’s individual therapeutic potential in a synergistic phenomenon scientists call the entourage effect. This means CBD extracts with more of these medicinal plant compounds may work better than those with less or none at all. Quality, in other words, really matters when choosing your CBD brand!
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Cannabis plants offer a treasure trove of natural medicines in addition to cannabinoids. New scientific study is shedding light on the benefits of aromatic terpenes, antioxidant flavonoids, and neuroprotective polyphenols. These compounds amplify the entourage effect and lift your CBD oil benefits to even higher heights. You absolutely want your CBD to have as many of these as possible.
FAST FACT
You’ll get the best natural panic attack relief from CBD oils with a diverse range of cannabis plant medicines.
How to choose the best CBD for panic attacks
Over-the-counter hemp oil comes in full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate forms. All three contain the active ingredient CBD. However, each one’s medicinal profile differs based on the concentration and ratio of cannabinoids.
Let’s review a quick breakdown of the main differences between the three types of hemp extracts:
- Full spectrum CBD
Generally considered the gold standard of CBD extracts. True full spectrum Cannabiva is best for panic attacks because it contains a complete cannabinoid profile, including CBG, CBN, CBC, CBL, CBDV, and THC (up to 0.3%). It also includes the most terpenes, flavonoids, and polyphenols of any brand for unrivaled entourage effect benefits.
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- Broad spectrum CBD
THC-free (0.0%) alternative with many of the same cannabinoids as the full spectrum variety, including CBG, CBN, and CBDV. The additional step to remove THC diminishes up to 50% of the secondary medicinal compounds like terpenes. But broad spectrum CBD still provides some level of entourage effect benefits. - Pure CBD isolate
Radically purified pharmaceutical-grade extract with 95% or greater pure CBD isolate and zero THC (0.00%). Isolate oils provide no entourage effect because they contain no other cannabis compounds.
According to clinical research, the difference in naturally occurring chemical compounds — even one that’s very slight — is enough to yield significantly different results for everyday wellness concerns like occasional anxiety and panic attacks. That’s why a high-quality, true full spectrum CBD product is so revered in cannabis circles. If you can get your hands on one, you really have the potential to blow your panic attacks out of the water.
FAST FACT
The medicinal profile of your cannabis product includes all the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and polyphenols in it.
How does CBD relieve panic attack symptoms?
Cannabinoid compounds directly target receptors in your body that regulate fear perception, stress response, fight-or-flight activation, mood balance, and sleep/wake rhythms. These systems get thrown out of whack when you experience an uptick in stressful situations and panicky feelings.
Taking CBD modulates those receptor sites, sending out waves of relaxation through your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to change how you feel. CBD works to relieve occasional anxiety and panic attacks using a multi-target mode of action. Cannabinoid research has identified three distinct ways CBD benefits help you feel better:
Supports a healthy neurotransmitter balance
Prevents the breakdown of “feel-good” neurotransmitters like serotonin and anandamide to fortify your mind and body against the ravages of modern life. Improves stress tolerance, boosts mood, and keeps you feeling calm, confident, and in control.
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Relaxes the central nervous system (CNS)
Stabilizes out-of-whack body systems to relieve the jitters, nervous stomach, and feelings of muscular tension. As a result, you stay focused and composed when the pressures and challenges of daily life mount.
Balances sleep/wake rhythms
Quality sleep is crucial during stressful periods, and it just so happens to be one of the first things to go, too! Reduced anxiety levels at bedtime help you fall asleep faster, and deeper REM sleep leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take control the next day.
Now you know everything you need to choose the best CBD product for panic attacks. Up next, we’ll find out what a safe CBD dosage is for you. We’ll also review a few best practices for beginners to make sure you get the maximum benefits from your wellness plan.
What is the right CBD dosage for panicky symptoms?
How much CBD you need to relieve panic attacks caused by everyday stress depends on how much you weigh. If you are a new user, review the following Cannabiva dosing chart to determine the proper CBD dosage.
First, select the weight category you belong in, then choose the strength you need to feel better:
Experts say low CBD doses are recommended for new users because they are generally well-tolerated. More importantly, according to clinical study, low doses are much less likely to cause adverse reactions.
Beginning your CBD wellness plan with this dosing strategy is especially helpful if you are prone to panicky thoughts or CBD dosage anxiety because it minimizes potential CBD side effect risk to nearly zero (less than 0.5% of Cannabiva users report an adverse reaction, based on product usage statistics).
Best of all, you can increase your CBD intake whenever you feel comfortable using higher doses and lower it again if needed later.
FAST FACT
Titration is the process of adjusting and moderating how much CBD you take until you find the perfect dose for panic attack relief.
How fast does CBD stop panic attacks?
Out of all the CBD administration methods, taking CBD oils under the tongue works the fastest for panic attacks — often within 20 minutes or less.
Sublingual CBD use (another way to say taking CBD oil under the tongue) works so quickly because cannabinoids rapidly absorb through the tiny capillaries and blood vessels in your mouth. They hit your bloodstream in an instant and begin working almost immediately.
Follow this step-by-step infographic to maximize your panic attack health benefits with sublingual CBD dosing:
Timing CBD doses for best results
Optimal CBD use means taking it at least once daily to maintain effective CBD blood concentrations. When you decide to take CBD (i.e., the specific time of day) depends on how occasional anxiety and panic attacks affect you.
For some people, nighttime anxiety steals the most precious hours — those meant for rest and rejuvenation. Instead, it fills those hours meant for sleeping with anxiousness, racing thoughts, and feelings of dread. If this sounds like you, take CBD 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime.
Other people get panicked because of an important event, like the first day of a new class, an interview for the job of a lifetime, or a speaking event that comes with a big audience. If this feels closer to how you experience anxiety and panic, take your dose first thing in the morning with breakfast. Then, take a follow-up dose 30 minutes to one hour ahead of the main event to boost relaxation and keep you calm, collected, and in control.
Ultimately, your unique needs depend on how, when, and how often you take CBD dosages. Remember, this is your CBD treatment plan — you should personalize it until you find the perfect CBD dosage for you!
FAST FACT
Taking CBD with food makes it last longer — up to eight hours total with a fatty meal (i.e., 30% or more fat content).
Is using CBD for panic attack relief safe?
Pure CBD is generally well-tolerated in healthy adults, and side effects are rare because it is non-toxic and not addictive. CBD won’t cause withdrawal symptoms if you ever decide to stop taking it.
According to usage statistics from Cannabiva CBD brands, less than half a percent of users (<0.5%) report side effects when using products as directed. These may include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Appetite changes
Talk to your doctor if you have a history of allergies to any other supplements, medications, or plant-based foods.
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CBD for panic attack FAQ
Still have questions about CBD and panic attacks? Check out these answers to FAQs from first-time users. If you have CBD questions about a topic we haven’t covered today, live chat with a Cannabiva Sales Associate. Sorry, we cannot provide medical advice.
