Social Anxiety and the Benefits of CBD

Fifteen months after the pandemic brought the world, and its residents’ social lives, to their knees, the sun is shining, bars and restaurants are open again, and friends and family are making plans. For many people, this return to normalcy is one of joy and excitement. But for people with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), the sudden reappearance of social events, and even the anticipation of having to go back into the office, can bring about debilitating anxiety. 

Social Anxiety Disorder is an intense fear of social situations in which a person fears being judged or humiliated around other people. The good news is, there are many treatments out there that can help with the symptoms. The most common methods are cognitive behavioral therapy and a type of medication known as SSRIs, but in recent years, alternative treatments have also come to light.

Enter CBD, also known as cannabidiol (say that five times fast), is an extractable ingredient found in the hemp/cannabis plant. Unlike its cannabis cousin THC, CBD doesn’t get you high. Its’ molecule makeup actually does quite the opposite, side-stepping the psychoactive effects of THC and instead promoting feelings of calm, clarity and focus. CBD supplements can come in the form of gummies, concentrated oil drops, bath bombs, capsules, and more.

So what does Social Anxiety look like?

According to Dr. James, MD,  “[Anxiety] is something that every single person will experience in their lifetime as it is a natural response to stress. It can feel so prominent that it can be easy to let it take over and create distraction, so how well we cope with anxiety can greatly impact our overall well being.” 

Dr. James’s suggests a few tips to help alleviate the immediate symptoms of anxiety:

• Meditate or practice breathing exercises

• Write your anxious thoughts down on paper 

• Go for a walk 

• Listen to your favorite music 

• Call a friend or family member to talk it out

Longer term, it may be beneficial to adapt some lifestyle changes that can help keep anxiety at bay. These include:

• Creating a regular meditation practice

• Exercising regularly 

• Eating well-balanced, healthy meals

• Speaking to your doctor about medications 

• Implementing CBD into your daily life

Can CBD Help with Social Anxiety?

According to several scientific studies, CBD has been known to have many beneficial and calming effects on the human body and mind and can be used to counter some of the heightened emotions brought on by anxiety. 

In several placebo-controlled studies across the world in which people with Social Anxiety Disorder took CBD supplements daily, almost every individual felt a positive change. (Whereas those who received placebos did not experience any changes.)

A 2019 double-blind study of 37 teenagers with Social Anxiety Disorder and avoidant personality disorder in Japan concluded that  “CBD significantly decreased anxiety measured by both scales. The results indicate that CBD could be a useful option to treat social anxiety.”

How much CBD should I take for Social Anxiety

How much CBD you should consume for social anxiety depends on a few factors: Body weight, personal tolerance, and product concentration. 

Let’s break the factors down:

Body weight: 

This is pretty intuitive, but a person who is on the smaller side will most likely require a lower dose of CBD than, say, The Rock. It is unlikely that a 120lb person and a 250lb person would both experience the same results from the same dose. (This is where talking to a professional comes in!)

Personal Tolerance:

If a person has been using cannabis products for a while, it’s likely they’ll need more CBD than someone who never uses CBD products. However, since consistent CBD use leads to long-term results, and more of them, there really is no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why, with the help of a professional, you can tailor your CBD supplements to your personal needs.

Product Concentration: 

Pay attention to the measurements listed on the CBD products you buy. If you have been taking 1ml of a CBD supplement that is 1000mg and you’re enjoying its effects, make sure when you need to buy more you don’t accidentally buy the same product at a weaker (or stronger) strength.For example our CBD oil drops come in a 30ml tincture in three strengths: 500mg, 1000mg, and 1500mg. Once you find the strength that works for you, stick to it. Concentration, in life and CBD, are key.

Conclusion:

Studies have shown that CBD can have positive effects on people with Social Anxiety Disorder. By creating uplifting feelings and a sense of calm, CBD can appease some of the symptoms social anxiety may cause. And just as a reminder, CBD is not like THC—at all—and will not get you high. So if you’re looking for ways to help with the symptoms of social anxiety, a CBD supplement might be a great option to add to your daily routine.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/da.20670

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1614701

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825

Pharmaceutically, these conditions are often treated by SSRI medications like Zoloft or Prozac which increase serotonin levels.