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There’s been a lot of talk about using CBD oil for anxiety lately. More and more people are reaching out for natural alternatives to prescription medications for treating anxiety, and with many places preparing to legalize marijuana products, CBD oil for anxiety has been at the forefront. We even tried some CBD oil ourself in another article.
However, we understand that everyone is different and others are more sceptical about taking CBD oil for anxiety. So, we reached out to a CBD oil user to share her personal experience with you guys. Here’s what she wrote!
Why I Decided to Try CBD Oil for Anxiety
Hi everyone, my name is Claire (Anxiously Free on Instagram)and I’ve suffered with pretty intense anxiety since I was 8 years old. Let me start by saying that I will try anything that promises to abate some of my physical symptoms that manifest on a near daily basis due to my anxiety. Healing crystals, essential oils, therapy, yoga, vitamins, you name it! While I can say that many of these things do work well, nothing has ever prevented a full-blown panic attack quite like pharmaceuticals. This terrifies me.
I like to think that I’m a socially conscious person with a penchant for all-natural healing methods outside of Xanax but I will also admit that the instant relief it brings is hard to beat. I found myself dreading the next time I would have to take a pill because I know how fast a tolerance can build up and how addicting they can be. Soon after being prescribed, I was taking that little pill to be able to give presentations (public speaking is my biggest trigger). I knew that I needing new coping tools and/or supplements.
By now I’m sure you know everything there is to know about CBD Oil. If not, here is what CBD oil is and how it works.
About three months ago, I was introduced to this “magical elixir” that is CBD Oil for anxiety. I’ve never smoked weed so I’ve always been hesitant about anything related to Cannabis. My boyfriend’s brother (who has suffered from PTSD and Anxiety) was the one who showed me a website where I could shop for the perfect oil for me. I was super hesitant because after becoming accustomed to the instant effects of pharmaceuticals, how could this compare?
What I Discovered While Using CBD Oil for Anxiety
To be honest, I was so pleasantly surprised. My first bottle came in the mail and I wanted to try it instantly so I took two big drops (1 mL). After a little while I kind of forgot I even took it and went to the grocery store. Quick side note: my shortlist of triggers includes grocery stores, the gym, yoga, meetings, and classes. So, basically anywhere that gives me the feeling of being trapped. I will usually have shaky hands and will sweat profusely (TMI, I know), but after CBD, my hands were like a surgeon’s. I could not believe that I was feeling relief WITHOUT my typical medication. After the grocery store I thought hey, why not get some exercise endorphins? I mean, even the thought of sitting in a yoga class used to send me in to a tailspin. What if I faint? What if I panic? What if people see me faint or panic? However, after a CBD Oil dose, I walked into the class (still nervous) but was able to adjust my mind and focus on the flow instead of my shaking knees.
Now I’m going to be completely transparent…do I still take the medication that my doctor prescribed me? Yes. However, I save the intense stuff for moments that it should be saved for (i.e. panic attacks). CBD Oil for anxiety is better for keeping symptoms at bay and helping me do day-to-day activities.
Another example, everyone has experienced the Sunday Scaries right? No? Just me? Anyway, this happens to me a lot and can be so bad that even on Sunday mornings I already have a pit in my stomach and the shakes just thinking about the week ahead. This has even made me physically ill in the past. After CBD Oil, I feel like I’ve taken back my Sundays (whoa… now I get why that band chose that name). I’ll take two drops (1 mL) in the morning and the symptoms will be mitigated enough for me to begin my day.
As I said before, public speaking is a HUGE trigger for me. For every presentation, I’ve always relied on medication. I panic even if it’s over the phone and it can be pretty debilitating. Today, I made a decision to only try CBD Oil for anxiety before speaking and for the first time, I got through it! It may not seem like a big deal for those not suffering from anxiety but for me, I will mark this date in my planner and celebrate it annually. I do think that CBD Oil had a lot to do with me not going overboard and fleeing the scene. I still did some weird things (took my shoes off because my feet “got hot”) but that’s way better than running away from the fear.
Will I Continue Using CBD Oil?
I don’t want to pretend like CBD Oil is the end all, be all. I use a lot of different coping tools on a regular basis that help me in my journey. Personally, CBD Oil, exercise, and accepting that panic attacks are going to happen have greatly helped me. I used to feel so guilty for having anxiety and “why can’t you just be normal” was a thought on a continuous loop in my head. Now I tell myself that relief is in my purse if I need it and for me and my own personal experience, it will be okay.
Wow! How’s that for an honest view on what it’s like taking CBD Oil for anxiety? You can follow Claire’s ‘Anxiously Free’ Instagram account for more inspiration and perspective on overcoming anxiety.
