How CBD Oil Can Help Ease Work Related Anxiety
Did you know that nearly 80% of American workers report feeling job-related stress? And that every day, 1 million workers are absent from work because of stress?
Not only does workplace stress cause absenteeism, but it is also related to declines in your physical and mental health, difficulties sleeping, difficulties in performing your job, and strained personal relationships.
Instead of just accepting that work anxiety is a regular thing and part of life, why not try to address and alleviate that anxiety?
One of the more recent ways to address work anxiety is CBD oil. CBD oil has become very popular to treat a variety of conditions, and stress and anxiety are no exception.
Keep reading to learn more about how this wonder cure could help you.
What is CBD, Exactly?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid that is found in the marijuana and hemp plants.
Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as THC), CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive properties, so it won’t make you feel high like marijuana does. CBD for medical purposes is derived from the hemp plant, not the marijuana plant.
While marijuana is still illegal in most states, CBD oil as a treatment for various conditions is legal (although each state has its own rules and regulations governing it).
Can CBD Really Decrease Work Anxiety?
One of the biggest triggers of anxiety is stress. If you are constantly under stress at work and at home, you are at a much higher likelihood of developing anxiety. In fact, 25% of Americans will suffer from chronic anxiety in their life.
While we all experience short bursts of stress–maybe when we are under a tight deadline or working on a big project, it’s chronic stress that is the real problem.
Short bouts of stress are natural and often unavoidable.
CBD isn’t meant to deal with this stress that is only temporary. When stress becomes chronic and develops into anxiety with the following symptoms, that’s when CBD can help.
- gastrointestinal issues
- appetite changes
- changes in sleep patterns
- fatigue
- muscles tension
- headaches
- weight gain
Researchers aren’t clear on how CBD oil works in our body, but it is believed that it works with a brain receptor called CB1. Brain receptors are proteins attached to your cells that receive chemical signals from various parts of your body.
It is believed that CBD alters serotonin signals. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in our mental health. Having too little serotonin has been linked to depression. Serotonin also helps regulate appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual functions.
Traditional Treatment for Anxiety
The usual treatment for anxiety or depression caused by low levels of serotonin is SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Lexapro, Zoloft, and Prozac, among many others. A doctor must prescribe these drugs and there is not a one-size-fits-all drug or dosage.
It often takes some trial and error and tweaking to figure out what drug works best for you and at what dosage.
CBD can be purchased over the counter, comes with minimal side effects, and though you might need to adjust the dosage after a bit of trial and error, the process is much simpler than managing SSRIs.
For example, if you will vape CBD, you must start at the low end of the recommended CBD vape oil dosage and work your way up from there.
Other Benefits of CBD
Not only does research show that CBD can treat anxiety and depression (out of 32 studies examining the impact of CBD on anxiety in rodents, 31 of them found that CBD was beneficial in reducing anxiety), it also can ease other symptoms associated with anxiety.
Neck and back pain are often associated with spending many hours of your day at a desk. CBD is an anti-inflammatory, so it can help soothe this chronic pain. It can also help you reduce the cravings for other substances, like nicotine or alcohol.
CBD can also improve your mood (which has benefits at work and at home) and increase your productivity at work. These improvements can help decrease or even eliminate your workplace anxiety.
Things to Keep in Mind
The best way to use CBD to decrease anxiety is one tool in a comprehensive plan to treat anxiety. Seeing a therapist, making lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise and healthy eating, and focusing on making positive changes at work should all be used in conjunction with CBD.
You should also speak to your doctor about starting CBD, especially if you are taking other medications, as it may impact your body’s ability to metabolize certain prescription meds.
Your doctor can also assess your overall health to determine if there are other underlying conditions contributing to your anxiety.
What Are the Side Effects?
Unlike SSRIs, the side effects of CBD are pretty minimal. If you do experience side effects, they are likely to be:
- gastrointestinal effects
- dry mouth
- sleeping difficulties
- mood changes
- dizziness
- fatigue
The side effects are usually manageable and relatively infrequent.
There are some withdrawal symptoms as well, but again, they are much less severe than if you are weaning yourself off of SSRIs or other prescription medications. The most severe withdrawal symptoms typically include the return of the original symptoms you were having.
Kiss Your Work-Related Stress Goodbye
Work anxiety doesn’t only negatively impact your workday. It will often follow you home, impacting your personal and family life as well.
Don’t go another day with the stress of your job hanging over your head. Take steps today to alleviate your stress and anxiety with CBD and other lifestyle changes.
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