AD // If you’ve been following me for long enough, you’ll be familiar with my eclectic past and experience with anxiety. I’ve covered so many different aspects of anxiety; including my own experiences on my blog. Actually going back through some of those posts to link to this one is making me quite emotional because since December 2019, I don’t actively suffer with an anxiety disorder anymore.
It took me almost 10 years; medication, hitting rock bottom with my health anxiety, losing all my friends and experiencing social anxiety, therapy and trying everything under the sun to get here. But I did. I’m here. And more resilient than ever before.
And looking back over my experience and these last 10 years, certain things stand out to me which helped me more than others. I’m not shy in admitting that CBT therapy did absolutely nothing for me (however in my last round of group CBT, I did meet one of my now closest friends!)
Natural remedies played a really big part in my journey. And although I did eventually have to go on medication, I still use them hand in hand and take all the benefits from both to ensure I’m living my best anxiety-free life.
What do I mean by natural remedies?
For me, natural remedies meant anything that WASN’T medication. When it came to my anxiety, at the start, I was adamant that I wasn’t going to use medication. Obviously that wasn’t the case and in 2019, I had to go on it. But still to this day, natural remedies are incredible at helping with anxiety. Here are a few that I used and still use:
Herbal remedies: I used to use herbal remedies for my anxiety which I was never sure whether it was a placebo or not but it did seem to take the edge of a bit, which was good! I would use sprays, tablets and gummies.
Nature: Getting outside always did and always has helped my anxiety. I’m always calmer when I’m outside. When I can feel the breeze and the air, the sun, the rain – anything. Nature is just generally good for the soul!
Yoga: I started Yoga when I first developed my anxiety disorder because I heard it was good for it and I am an avid Yogi to this day. It didn’t cure my anxiety of course but it certainly helped me feel safe, grounded and connected.
Therapy: CBT didn’t work for me at all but talking therapy was a different story. I was literally forced into therapy and I’m so glad I was. Although I still had a long way to go when I finished therapy, I really don’t know where I’d have been today without it.
Breathing: Sounds too simple to be true but learning how to breathe properly, how to consciously breathe, how to count my breath and a manner of different techniques really did do wonders. I still use breathing techniques to this day.
What about CBD oil?
So CBD oil needs it’s own section here because it’s such a broad topic. There’s a lot of misinformation and outlandish claims out there about CBD oil (like this one), so naturally people are going to want to try any product on the market in the hope that it’ll help or they’ll stay well clear of it, thinking it’s horsesh*t.
CBD oil is a health supplement made up of 2 ingredients: a CBD rich Cannabis Sativa L. extract and a carrier oil. Cannabidiol, often abbreviated to ‘CBD’ is a naturally occurring compound found within the cannabis plant. It belongs to a family of compounds known as the phytocannabinoids, of which hundreds have been identified to date.
What’s the confusion with CBD oil and it’s relation to anxiety?
Cannabis is a common substance that anxious people will use in an attempt to self-medicate. But without proper regulation of the correct ingredients, it’s likely not to have the desired effect. THC (the cannabinoid that gets you high) is known to decrease anxiety in small doses but increase it in larger doses. It’s no wonder there are so many conflicting reports.
However, CBD oil has displayed different effects to those of THC. When administered orally, CBD is shown to block the anxiety causing effect of THC. At Cannubu, they are offering and showing that CBD supplements are helping millions of people take control of their wellbeing and find calm the natural way.
Cannubu are a fantastic site that not only sells CBD oil, capsules and more but is also dedicated in educating you around CBD, what’s ACTUALLY in the product and how it can work for you. They offer free samples, to anyone who is hesitant and have a ton of helpful content, like this beginners guide to CBD, to help! You can purchase 1500mg CBD oil and more at Cannubu.
Real people and their stories
I took to Twitter to chat to a couple of people who currently use CBD oil for their anxiety to hear more about what benefits they have found and how it’s helped them in their day to day life. Here’s what they said:
“I use a variety of CBD products for both my chronic pain and anxiety such as oil, muscle balm and patches. My go-to CBD oil that I use most days is 600mg and I honestly couldn’t be without it. I find that CBD oil in particular really helps with my anxiety and just helps to settle my mind and stops me from overthinking. I also find that it helps me to have a better nights sleep which is a big plus.” – As Told by Kirsty
“I started using CBD oil after I was recovering from a burn out at work. My anxiety was getting really bad and I struggled to fall asleep at night. I only use a few drops when my anxiety gets really bad or when I’ve had a few bad nights in a row, but it almost immediately calms me down. It gets rid of the heavy pressure on my chest very quickly, and I almost always sleep through the night after using it. At the moment I maybe use it 2-3 times a month, and it’s very reassuring I’ve got it ready in case my anxiety flares up because it helps so quickly!” – The Navigatio
“I have ADHD and suffer with debilitating anxiety. Since using CBD, I honestly feel a huge difference. I’m not having anxiety attacks anymore and re the ADHD – my head feels clearer. I’m able to concentrate on things better and complete tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Sounds like little things, but honestly – life changing.” – Simply Together
“I take CBD oil at least once a day in the form of the droplets on my tongue and I often vape methol CBD oil throughout the day. Sometimes I need it more than others, so it’s handy to have the vape with me where ever I go. It’s greatly reduced my anxiety levels, and when vaping it calms me down because it acts as a comfort, along side the actual CBD chemical working it’s magic.” – Nyxie’s Nook
“I started buying CBD oil around 3 years ago because I’d heard it was good for anxiety. When I first tried it I almost instantly felt calmer and more relaxed. The biggest benefit for me is definitely with sleep. I notice if I go a few days without taking it I wake up more during the night a lot more and don’t feel as well rested in the morning.” – This Dream’s Alive
“I’ve tried so many different types of CBD and I’ve found that it helps me relax and eases my pain which in turn lowers my anxiety levels. I also gave it to my mam at one point and she seemed a lot calmer in herself than she was before taking it. We both had less panic attacks!” – Mrs Slee-Jones
I’ve loved hearing everyone’s positive stories and CBD oil and the praise it’s got from people all over the internet. Of course with any remedy, it’s important to find what works for you and consult a doctor before taking anything new if you have underlying conditions. And of course as always, if you’re struggling with severe anxiety, please go and talk to a professional or you can start with checking out The ADHD Centre online