Can CBD Interfere With Anxiety Medication?

CBD can help with anxiety but it’s also important to make sure it won’t negatively interact with anything else you’re taking. Learn more.

In the United States, 1 out of every 7 adults is using a CBD product. CBD has grown into a popular phenomenon that people use for many different ailments, including pain, sleep problems, or anxiety.

Are you interested in using CBD to help relieve your anxiety? To reap the benefits of this popular product, you have to make sure you’re using it safely. 

If you’re currently taking anxiety disorder medication and are curious about whether or not it is a good idea to try CBD, keep reading!

How Does CBD Work in the Body?

Every cannabinoid will produce an effect on the body related to the endocannabinoid system receptors, and CBD is no different. 

This is a complex system in the body and researchers are still learning more about it. The main thing to know in terms of CBD use is that the endocannabinoid system has three main parts. These include endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. 

The enzymes break down the CBD and then the endocannabinoids (which everyone has in their body whether or not they ingest cannabinoids) bind with receptors all over the body. 

After this, the CBD can activate these receptors by influencing them and the mild effects are what make it great for therapeutic usage. 

Is All CBD the Same?

Be sure you’re getting dependable CBD and that it actually is what it says it is. Since it is an unregulated product, you need to buy it only from reputable sources. 

Some of the things to know before buying CBD include:

  • The extraction process
  • The plant source
  • Testing processes completed
  • Proper packaging to avoid early expiration

These types of factors will help you determine if you’re getting your CBD from a high-quality source or not. This information should be readily available to you. Our products are tested, non-GMO, and ethanol extracted for your regular use.

CBD is safe to use by many people, but only when the product is legitimate. There are many products out there, like CBD gummies or CBD oil, that are not always what they claim to be. 

If you buy from a bad seller, you may end up with a product that doesn’t have CBD in it at all or even has harmful ingredients in its place. 

CBD’s Effect on Anxiety

There are a lot of great benefits of using CBD and one of them is reducing anxiety and stress. Many studies show that CBD can be helpful for individuals dealing with a variety of anxiety issues.

One study showed that CBD could help people suffering from even short-term cases of generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, OCD, or PTSD.

This means that even if your anxiety isn’t occurring all the time, you may still benefit from CBD. You also may experience benefits from CBD if you’re not currently on any type of anxiety disorder medication but are still dealing with anxiety.

In high concentrations, CBD activates the hydroxytryptamine serotonin receptor, which provides an anti-anxiety result.

This receptor is part of a group of other similar receptors that work together to trigger different chemical messages depending on the problems you’re experiencing. 

CBD has also been found to reduce anxiety by altering the shape of the GABA-A receptor to enhance the calming influence of GABA.

CBD and Anxiety Disorder Medication Interactions

The interaction between CBD and anxiety medications depends entirely on the type of medication you are taking. 

The most common types of medications prescribed for anxiety include:

  • Benzodiazepines
  • Antidepressants (SSRIs and tricyclics)
  • Buspirone
  • Beta-blockers

CBD drug interactions could increase the chance of side effects occurring while taking these medications. It may even be toxic depending on the dosage of your medication and the dosage of CBD.

Some of these side effects include:

  • Headaches
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Depression
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • High blood pressure
  • Sexual dysfunction

According to the District of Columbia Department of Health, CBD has the ability to increase the amount of medication in your blood with a variety of drugs, including some of those listed here. 

As a result, it is imperative that you speak with your doctor about your anxiety medication before taking any type of CBD product. It’s the safest way to be sure that you are not doing more harm than good.

Other Natural Remedies for Anxiety

If you’re considering adding more natural remedies to anxiety into your regimen, CBD is a great option.

Your doctor may say that CBD isn’t right for you, however, and if this is the case, there are other options to consider in conjunction with your anxiety medication.

Exercise released endorphins, which can be a great way to relieve excess stress. Even a shorter exercise routine can be good for your anxiety. 

You can also try meditation and deep breathing exercises. Taking some time to relax in a meaningful way can help relieve some of your anxiety and may induce a sense of calm.

Even something as simple as smelling essential oils, such as lavender or chamomile, can also help with anxiety relief.

Are You Considering CBD for Anxiety?

If you’re interested in ditching your anxiety disorder medication for something that is more natural, you may want to consider using CBD. You may even want to use CBD in conjunction with your anxiety medication!

Talk with your doctor to see if you can make a change in your treatment plan.

Once you’ve decided to give it a shot, you can check out our shop and view our whole collection of products. We even offer a CBD assistance program with discounted rates for certain individuals, so don’t be afraid to check us out.