If you have ever experienced anxiety, this information may be useful to you. Anxiety can be temporary, and related to a specific situation (having to give a speech, starting a new job, first date, etc.). But, for more than 40 million people in the U.S., it is an ever-present, serious disorder. In fact, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) it is the number one most common mental condition reported, costing Americans $42 billion a year—that’s a third of our nation’s total mental health expenditures. Acute anxiety can be limiting, interfering with work, family and social activities . Finding ways to mitigate the distress of anxiety is essential for quality of life. I know, because someone close to me is dealing with the symptoms, and working hard to find the right solution.
Conventional “Scripts” Carry Heavy Price, and Some Risks
Within the conventional medical world, the most common treatments include SSRI (Selective Serotonin receptor inhibitors) category prescription drugs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. If you have tried any of these prescribed drugs, you know they can be expensive. For example, a script for 90 Zoloft can cost as much as $558 to fill. More importantly, SSRI drugs involve serious risk for some patients, including suicidal tendencies and other dangerous behaviors.
The FDA has issued warnings on SSRIs based on its possible harmful risks, especially for young people. At the same time, reports from the Mayo Clinic show unpleasant side effects that may include, among others:
- Nausea
- Nervousness, agitation or restlessness
- Dizziness
- Reduced sexual desire or difficulty reaching orgasm or inability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Weight gain or loss
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Frankly, some of the side effects of the prescribed meds can be as uncomfortable as the symptoms of the disorder.
CBD Shows Promise as a Safe, Inexpensive Alternative
In my family, looking at a better, less expensive, safer (and more comfortable) way to lower anxiety and stress levels led us to Cannabidiol or CBD oil, extracted from hemp.
Cannabidiol is classified as a plant based anxiolytic, or anxiety reducing agent. So far, we’ve found that CBD delivers positive results free of unpleasant or risky side effects. Additionally, while price points can vary, we have found CBD extracted from hemp is significantly more affordable than the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drugs. It is also legal for purchase online and for shipping to all 50 states.
Nutritional Outlook magazine points out that there is a lot to be gained from hemp products like CBD, particularly for the dietary supplement industry. Looking at its history, you’ll see that Cannabidiol (CBD) has been valued for its nutritional and healing characteristics for centuries, yet modern taboos surrounding the Cannabis plant have confined information about CBD oils to the dark corners of medical research. Now, with CBD from hemp proving its potential for health and well-being, this versatile compound may finally be recognized for its role in easing the symptoms of anxiety.
Research on CBD and its therapeutic uses for inhibiting anxiety is just beginning, so there isn’t a lot of data available now. However, clinical trials underway at the National Institute of Health and academic studies conducted by other authoritative sources show CBD effective in treating general anxiety as well as specific types of anxiety disorders including social anxiety. All we can say is that CBD Oil, in tincture format, is working for us, and for many other individuals that we know. We will continue to update you on research findings, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you are not familiar with CBD Oil, you should know there are several varieties. These include Raw, Decarboxylated and Filtered CBD OIL. Filtered "Gold" CBD Oil seems to be the most popular for easing anxiety and insomnia. It is available online via reputable sites such as DiscoverCBD.com, a site dedicated to the health and healing benefits of CBD. For more information, visit www.DiscoverCBD.com.
