Although the idea of CBD may seem relatively new, with the relative explosion of CBD products since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the cannabinoid was first identified and studied in 1940. Since then, more than 100 cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis. CBD, in particular, has been well examined for its medical benefits for people who suffer from mental health disorders, inflammation, chronic pain, and other conditions.
As the popularity of CBD and other cannabinoids continues to grow, many are becoming wary of the effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Now, scientists are learning more about the long-term health problems associated with prescription medications for a range of conditions, including some of the conditions CBD may be able to address. One possibility for people who suffer from conditions like anxiety and other mental health symptoms is to work with a professional healthcare provider to explore the possibility of slowly replacing prescription medications with CBD. This is most safely done through a process known as tapering.
Anti-Anxiety Drugs: Types and Uses
An estimated 19% of adults in the US experience symptoms of an anxiety disorder every year, although not everyone seeks a diagnosis. Many individuals with anxiety disorders take prescription medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines.
SSRIs were developed to artificially increase the levels of a chemical messenger called serotonin in the brain. Serotonin helps regulate mood, and proper levels of serotonin can reduce or prevent anxiety. Another common drug class used to prevent anxiety is benzodiazepines, which are intended to calm the nervous system by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Common anti-anxiety drugs include:
- Buspirone (Buspar)
- Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- SSRIs (Sertraline, Escitalopram).
Every individual is different, which means that while some people may require long-term medication management, others may require episodic or situational medication. In addition, medications have different effects on different people. It is not uncommon for people with anxiety to try multiple prescription drugs with different formulations before a suitable medication is found.
Related Reading: Cannabis Over Xanax?
Health Consequences of Using Anti-Anxiety Drugs
Prescription anti-anxiety medications can be effective in managing symptoms of anxiety disorders, but they also come with potential health consequences that need careful consideration. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination, which can increase the risk of accidents.
Anti-anxiety medications can also lead to dependence in some individuals. This can occur when individuals develop tolerance to anti-anxiety medications over time, necessitating higher doses for the same effect and increasing the risk of adverse effects. Benzodiazepines, in particular, carry a significant risk of dependence.
Unfortunately, removing anti-anxiety medications all at once can cause the brain and body to experience adverse effects called withdrawal.
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Heightened anxiety
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Delirium.
When a doctor recommends cutting back on anti-anxiety medications, they often do so using a system called tapering, which involves slowly reducing the dose of a medication until it is eliminated altogether. Tapering is often done under medical supervision. Healthcare providers play a critical role in monitoring and managing these risks to ensure safe and effective treatment of anxiety disorders.
Can CBD Reduce the Need for Anti-Anxiety Drugs?
While anxiety is a natural response needed for survival, frequent, long-term anxiety can lead to a state of persistent stress and heightened arousal. This can cause both physical and mental health issues. Excessive anxiety can be categorized as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), to name a few.
As mentioned, current treatments, including various antidepressants and antipsychotics, often have limited effectiveness and can cause adverse effects. Meanwhile, research indicates that CBD can affect the central nervous system without causing dependence or health issues. CBD affects serotonin receptors, which can help the brain and body prevent depression.
More specifically, CBD interacts with the body’s own cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). While cannabinoids like THC directly bind with ECS receptors, CBD influences the activity of CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD modulates the human endocannabinoid system by enhancing the effects of certain endocannabinoids, inhibiting the enzyme that breaks them down. This can help regulate mood, anxiety, and stress responses.
Although there are many benefits to combining multiple cannabinoids like THC and CBD, one NIH study found that THC may increase anxiety for some people. That’s why approximately 17% of cannabis prescriptions for anxiety are for CBD-only products. Doctors should weigh the risks and benefits and prescribe medicinal cannabis cautiously, starting with low doses, the study concluded.
In short, CBD can reduce the need for anti-anxiety drugs, but any alteration to a medication schedule should only be done in close consultation with a physician or mental health professional. With the proper advice, you may be able to taper off your intake of anti-anxiety drugs and try using CBD to mitigate your symptoms. This may be possible for several anxiety-related disorders.
Studies by the NIH and other prominent groups have found through animal studies, human experiments, clinical trials, and population studies that CBD has the potential to address symptoms of:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
How Does Tapering Work?
Tapering refers to the slow and gradual reduction of prescription medication use. This is often necessary because abruptly ceasing the use of some medications can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Medication tapering minimizes withdrawal symptoms and other potential negative effects.
Here’s how it generally works:
1. Assessment and Planning
A healthcare provider or mental health specialist evaluates the patient’s current medications. It is important to customize each treatment because each drug requires unique levels of tapering, and each patient’s physiology may affect dosages. A personalized tapering plan is developed based on these factors.
2. Gradual Reduction
A healthcare professional creates a tapering schedule, and the dosage is reduced incrementally over a period of time. The specific rate of reduction can vary depending on the medication and the individual’s response. For some medications, the dose might be reduced by a small percentage every week or month. In cases where someone is tapering off a highly addictive and potent drug, the process may need to be completed through an in-patient center where the patient can be monitored 24/7.
3. Monitoring
The patient is closely monitored for withdrawal symptoms throughout the tapering process. A nurse or doctor may monitor symptoms and the patient’s overall well-being. Adjustments to the tapering schedule may be made based on the patient’s feedback and other factors.
4. Support and Management
Additional support, such as counseling or alternative therapies. may be provided to help manage symptoms and ensure the patient’s comfort and safety. CBD can be an effective tool for slowly replacing some medications, including anti-anxiety medications, to provide continued comfort and anxiety management.
5. Completion
Once the medication is successfully tapered off, the patient is still monitored to make sure they do not experience a resurgence of anxiety symptoms. Follow-up appointments can address any long-term concerns. During this period, CBD can become the primary method of reducing anxiety.
While not every drug requires tapering, certain medications that can cause significant withdrawals, such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and opioids, are usually discontinued using this method. The goal of tapering is to avoid the negative side effects of withdrawal, which can have severe physical and psychological effects. As mentioned, CBD may help manage anxiety during the tapering process.
How to Incorporate CBD When Tapering from Medications
Before altering your medication regimen, take time to consult with a mental health professional or your primary care physician. Although anti-anxiety medications can have long-term health consequences, your mental health matters, too. Your doctor may have suggestions for ways to help manage anxiety, including CBD. In some cases, the safest route may be to remain on your current medications until your doctor says otherwise.
If your doctor gives you the approval to taper off anti-anxiety medications, incorporating CBD (cannabidiol) can potentially offer some support. CBD can help regulate mood and lessen feelings of anxiety. Some people find that CBD helps to mitigate anxiety symptoms, which can be beneficial during the often challenging process of benzodiazepine withdrawal.
It is generally recommended to start with low doses of CBD and gradually increase the dose. Along the way, take notes about your symptoms. As you reduce the dosage of benzodiazepine you take, you will effectively be replacing that prescription medication with CBD.
Integrating CBD as part of a comprehensive tapering plan that includes medical oversight, psychological support, and lifestyle adjustments can potentially aid in managing symptoms and promoting overall well-being as you cease your anti-anxiety medication.
Find the Right CBD Product
Finding the right CBD product for anxiety relief takes time. Start by working with a trusted company that sells high-quality CBD products and dosage. You should be able to find dosing info and use cases, along with other important information, on the packaging.
If you’re looking for anxiety relief, you’ll need a product that will enter the bloodstream, like an oral product. By contrast, topical application is more effective for pain management. Products like CBD creams, oils, and sprays are known to effectively treat chronic pain when applied directly to the affected areas. By bypassing oral ingestion, topical CBD allows for targeted relief of pain and inflammation without systemic effects, maximizing benefits in specific areas.
Other popular ways of taking CBD include:
- Hemp Oil Tinctures – Administer drops under the tongue for quick sublingual absorption.
- Capsules – Swallow pre-measured CBD capsules like regular pills.
- Edibles – Enjoy a tasty dose of CBD-infused snacks, gummies, or beverages.
- Topicals – Apply creams, lotions, or balms directly to the skin for localized pain relief.
- Vapes – Inhale CBD vapor using a vape pen or vaporizer device.
- Bath Bombs – Soak in a bath infused with CBD for full-body relaxation.
- Patches – Apply adhesive patches containing CBD to the skin for gradual absorption and pain relief.
Once you’ve found your ideal product, understanding dosage may take some time. You can rely on product manufacturers and dispensary employees to help you get started. Your weight, age, and symptoms could be important factors when determining the appropriate dose for your needs. Many individuals find that it may take several days of adjustment to pinpoint the optimal dose that works best for them, as responses to CBD can vary widely.
The good news is that you won’t need to worry about overdosing on CBD. At most, you may experience minor side effects like nausea or dizziness. Start with a low dose and take notes regarding your symptoms. Then, gradually increase it until you achieve the desired effect.
Lifestyle Changes That Can Reduce Anxiety
As you begin taking CBD, consider the lifestyle changes that can also help you address the underlying causes of anxiety.
- Exercise – Regular physical exercise reduces stress hormones and boosts endorphins, enhancing mood and overall resilience to stress.
- Diet – A nutritious diet rich in plants and lean protein provides the nutrients needed for optimal brain function. A proper diet can also stabilize mood swings.
- Stress Management – Adopting effective stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can significantly lower anxiety levels. Embracing mindfulness practices and setting boundaries to prioritize self-care further contribute to managing anxiety effectively within daily life.
- Sleep – Adequate sleep can aid with mood regulation and cognitive function.
- Reducing Anxiety-Related Substances – Limiting the consumption of stimulants like caffeine and depressants like alcohol can also alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
- Social Connections – Another important tool for combating anxiety involves building a strong support network through meaningful social connections.
CBD for Anti-Anxiety Med Replacement FAQs
If you are new to using CBD, you probably have a lot of questions. While there are wonderful resources available, including our blog, we’ve also assembled these frequently asked questions.
Learn More About the Health Benefits of CBD
CBD taken orally, topically, or inhaled can reduce chronic pain and alleviate symptoms of mental health problems like anxiety and PTSD. Under the guidance of a medical professional, you can explore the possibility of tapering addictive and potentially harmful prescription drugs while replacing those pharmaceuticals with CBD. CBD is not addicting, and it has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety.
As you begin your CBD journey toward wellness, Dank Budz will be there to help you. If there’s an ideal CBD product for your anxiety, we likely have it in stock. Shop our full line of CBD products to find the right one for you.
*Editor’s Note: This article was originally published Jan 2, 2019 and has been rewritten July 15, 2024.
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- National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Any Anxiety Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
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- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2021). Potential of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35908759/
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