Can CBD Cause Anxiety? The Facts You Should Know

CBD (Cannabidiol) is becoming an increasingly popular natural remedy for many health issues, including anxiety. However, some people have reported experiencing increased anxiety or even panic attacks after taking CBD. So can CBD cause anxiety actually? Or does it help relieve it? Let’s take a closer look at the facts.

How CBD Affects Anxiety

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various functions including mood, pain perception, inflammation, and more. Studies show CBD may increase levels of endocannabinoids like anandamide in the body, which help reduce anxiety symptoms.

So in theory, CBD should help relieve anxiety for most people rather than increase it. However, it can depend on several factors:

Dosage & Tolerance Levels

High doses of CBD may have unintended effects for some people, especially those with a low tolerance.

One study found that a single dose of 300mg CBD actually increased anxiety levels in participants. Another study found doses over 400mg may worsen anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder.

However, doses under 300mg are generally considered safe for most adults. It’s best to start low (5-10mg) and gradually increase your dosage to find the sweet spot.

THC Content

Some CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC (under 0.3%), which could trigger anxiety in THC-sensitive individuals. THC is the compound responsible for the “high” in cannabis.

If you’re prone to panic attacks or paranoia with THC, stick to broad or isolate-based CBD products that are guaranteed THC-free.

Pre-Existing Conditions

If you have a history of any anxiety disorder or other mental health condition, CBD’s effects may be unpredictable. It likely depends on the root cause of your anxiety triggers.

Those with anxiety disorders may be more prone to side effects like heightened anxiety from CBD. It’s crucial to discuss using CBD with your doctor first if you have any diagnosed conditions.

Can CBD Oil Cause Panic Attacks?

Panic attacks involve sudden, intense bouts of fear, anxiety and physical symptoms like racing heart rate, nausea, dizziness and more.

A few rare reports of CBD causing panic attacks do exist. However, research has not confirmed CBD directly leads to panic attacks. Plausible explanations include:

• High THC intake – Accidentally consuming high-THC cannabis instead of low or no THC CBD could certainly trigger panic attacks in some. Always confirm the THC content before using.
• Underlying anxiety triggers – Those already prone to panic disorders may experience attacks whether using CBD or not when faced with stressful situations or environments. CBD is not a cure-all treatment for anxiety issues. Other relaxation and therapy techniques should be incorporated as well if prone to panic attacks.

So while CBD shows promise for helping relieve generalized anxiety symptoms, it should be used carefully under medical guidance if prone to panic attacks or have panic disorders.

Always start with low doses of CBD and increase slowly while monitoring your symptoms and tolerance. High quality, lab-tested CBD products may also reduce risks of any adverse effects.

At What Dosage Can CBD Cause Anxiety?

While research is still very limited, a few studies suggest high doses of CBD above 300mg may heighten anxiety in susceptible individuals.

Most sources suggest anxiety is very unlikely when using “normal” CBD dosages, categorized below:

• Low dose: Up to 10mg CBD per dose
• Medium/Moderate dose: 10-30mg CBD per dose
• High dose: 30-50mg+ CBD per dose

That said – everyone reacts differently to cannabinoids like CBD because factors like genetics, lifestyle and more come into play.

If using CBD for anxiety relief, it’s best to take a “start low, go slow” approach:

• Start with 1-6mg CBD
• Gradually increase dose every 3-4 days while monitoring effects
• Stop increasing if you feel anxiety symptoms worsen

Tracking your personalized optimal dosage range is key. Staying below 30mg doses is recommended for anxiety sufferers, to be safe.

Consult a doctor experienced with CBD usage if unsure where to start or have any diagnosed conditions.

Tips to Use CBD for Anxiety Relief Without Panic Attacks

If you want to try CBD to alleviate anxiety, here are some tips to minimize risks of panic attacks or anxiety exacerbation:

✔️ Have an open discussion with your doctor – Disclose any anxiety disorders or mental health issues first before trying CBD. Get medical guidance on safe dosage ranges.

✔️ Start very low (2-5mg), increase slowly – Give your body time to adjust to each incrementally higher dose and monitor effects closely. Keep a journal!

✔️Choose isolate or broad-spectrum CBD – These contain no THC that could trigger heightened anxiety in some people.

✔️ Only buy lab-tested, high quality CBD from reputable brands – Don’t risk getting mislabeled products that could have higher THC or contaminants.

✔️ Incorporate lifestyle changes– Stress management, therapy, sufficient sleep, and exercise should accompany CBD usage for optimal anxiety relief.

While more research is still needed, judicious CBD usage shows promise for relieving anxiety symptoms without panic attacks in most individuals. Consult a doctor and approach cautiously if having anxiety issues.

The Bottom Line – Can CBD Cause Anxiety?

In summary:

• CBD is not generally known to directly cause anxiety or panic attacks. In optimal doses, most studies show it relieves anxiety symptoms.
• However, a minority subset of users seem sensitive and may experience heightened anxiety, uneasiness or panic attacks – likely due to personal tolerance issues and not CBD itself.
• Several factors come into play like dosage, THC traces, genetics, pre-existing conditions and more. High doses over 300mg seem most likely to heighten anxiety risk based on limited research.

So approach CBD carefully if prone to anxiety issues, first discussing with a doctor. But chances are low that CBD would directly worsen anxiety given proper precautions – and it may end up helping instead. Start low, choose high quality CBD, and monitor all effects closely.

Hope this helps explain whether CBD usage can cause anxiety issues or not! Let us know if you have any other questions.

FAQS