CBD for anxiety has attracted a lot of attention recently. Countless users claim that it helps, but is it just hype? What does the research say? And how do you find a brand that’s a good fit for your needs?
After all, you want a product that works. Stress and anxiety symptoms can be overwhelming and you need something that will help you to relax and feel calm. And you know that not every CBD product is equal, so how do you choose the best?
At popularcbdbrands.com, we’ve put them to the test. But before we get into that, let’s take a look at the science as well as the things you should be seeking in a product to help with anxiety and stress. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety is the most common mental health disorder worldwide.
What Does the Science Say?
If you suffer from anxiety, you know that it can be crippling, impacting on every area of everyday life. Many conventional medications either aren’t effective, produce bad side effects or are harmful to your health in the long term.
That’s why the science on CBD oil for anxiety is so promising. Although researchers admit that there is still a lot of work to do in this area, what they know so far has them cautiously optimistic about the health benefits of CBD oil for anxiety.
Researchers say that CBD has shown promise in a wide range of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
bioMD+ and their researchers confirm that many people reported the benefits of CBD for anxiety. The beneficial properties of CBD are consonant with the results of animal studies describing a bell-shaped dose response curve.
A 2011 study suggested that CBD is helpful for treating SAD, while another study highlighted CBD’s ability to reduce the symptoms of PTSD. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) acknowledges CBD’s ability to help with stress symptoms based on animal studies and small clinical trials of humans.
A different study found that CBD has the potential to relieve insomnia caused by anxiety, depression, or stress. Study participants reported reduced anxiety symptoms and better sleep during the first month of the study.
CBD for Anxiety: How Does it Work?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the body controls many functions such as sleep, motor control, pain, mood, learning and memory, inflammation and immune responses, liver function, metabolism, digestion and appetite, stress, and more.
The role of the ECS is to maintain all of these functions at optimal levels, a process known as homeostasis, or the balance of your body’s internal environment.
The ECS produces endocannabinoids, molecules that the body uses in the maintenance and regulation of its functions. Cannabinoids such as CBD are similar in molecular structure to the endocannabinoid system produced by the body and appear to help it in its role of promoting homeostasis.
Although we don’t know exactly how CBD works in the ECS, it appears to interact with or activate two receptors, CB1 and CB2. This enables it to work with the body to return it to a “normal” state; in the case of anxiety and stress, it means helping it to become calm instead of in fight-or-flight mode.
What Do Real People Say?
We like to think that researchers are real, but what do ordinary people outside of the research environment think of CBD oil for anxiety? What kind of results have they had?
Take Emily, a business analyst from Chicago in her 30’s.
“I suffered from severe social anxiety from early childhood,” she says. “I was the kid that would hide behind my mom when I saw a stranger approaching. When I was little, I used to burst into tears if someone I didn’t know spoke to me.”
“My mom told me it would improve as I got older, but it didn’t. Sure, I learned how to disguise it better, but school was tough and college was even worse. I struggled to make and maintain friendships, and dating was a total disaster.”
“I tried all the usual medications. Some gave me bad side effects, and at the back of my mind, I was always worried about the long-term effects on my body. I like to stay healthy, so it didn’t sit well with me when I thought about what those drugs might be doing to me on the inside.”
“When a friend suggested I try CBD, I was skeptical at first. But I did some research and discovered that for most people, it has few side effects, and if you choose the right product, it’s natural and good for you. That appealed to my personal ethos. So, I decided to try it.”
“It took a while to get the dose just right, and I had to experiment with a couple of different brands until I found one that was a good fit. I ended up going with bioMD+ because it ticked all the boxes for me.”
“It’s not a perfect cure, but it has helped a lot. I find that it works quite fast for me, so it’s perfect if I need a quick hit before an important meeting or something else that causes my anxiety to flare up. It’s even helped me to start dating with confidence, and that’s something I couldn’t have imagined several years ago. There’s no way I’d go without it now.”
So, How Did We Choose the Best?
At PopularCBDBrands.com, we rigorously test and review multiple brands, and we can tell you that only the best make it onto our top lists.
Although it was a tight race to the top, we couldn’t go past bioMD+ for quality, value for money, and overall excellence.
But how did we decide?
Quality was at the top of our list, and bioMD+ produces CBD products that are second to none. Due to its proprietary 6-step extraction process, the chemical integrity of the product is preserved, rendering it more effective. The products are organic, vegan, non-GMO, and produced from ethically grown hemp.
The proprietary terpenes blends also enhance the effectiveness of the CBD content as they work in synergy, offering great value and effectiveness.
We are also impressed with the company’s approach to customer service and its mission statement: People Before Profit. They know how to look after their valued clients.
How Does bioMD+ Produce its CBD Oil?
bioMD+ began when a family member of founder David Levitt was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Unsatisfied with conventional medical treatment for anxiety disorders, David began to look for other options and realized that hemp showed great promise in treating anxiety, chronic pain and illness.
But it couldn’t be just any product. To be as effective as possible, it had to be excellent, with no compromises from the start to the finish of the process. That meant that it needed to start with the soil, the hemp seed oil, and the farmer’s approach to production.
David searched until he found a farmer whose passion and values were a match, and a flourishing partnership was born. The hemp is grown here in the USA and is organic and non-GMO. Strict quality control practices regulate production from the farm to the consumer because David recognizes the value of quality and excellence. What About the Proprietary 6-Step Extraction Process?
Known as bio-Phytofusion, the special extraction process is a signature of the company that sets it apart from many other brands and retains as many of the beneficial compounds as possible.
Once the fresh hemp is harvested, it is dried then milled into a powder.
Next, it is extracted using supercritical CO2, a process that leaves no solvent residues. It’s a good choice for the environment and is safe for the workers, an essential factor in the BioMD+ ethos.
CO2 reaches a supercritical state at 87.98 degrees and 1071 psi. This means that it no longer behaves as a gas at normal pressures and temperatures, but it becomes a supercritical fluid, somewhere between a gas and a solid. It is this property that makes it useful in extracting compounds from plants without destroying the chemical structure through excess heat or toxic solvents. It also acts as a cleaning agent, removing bacteria, mildew and mold in the process.
What’s left is pure and free of harmful residues. The extraction process takes a little longer than other methods, but the company won’t compromise on quality. Its highest priority is to provide its customers with the best product possible.
Next, the hemp extract is separated from the supercritical CO2 and the CO2 used in the extraction process is recycled, helping to boost the company’s eco-credentials.
The raw hemp then undergoes an extra step that uses bio-Phytofusion emulsions to make it the most bioavailable product in the industry, a crucial factor when it comes to effectiveness.
The final step is third-party lab testing to ensure that an independent agency can verify the chemical makeup of each batch. Consumers can buy these products knowing that they’re getting exactly what they’re paying for.
How Does Third-Party Testing Work?
Is third-party testing really independent? Does it matter?
Because CBD is an unregulated industry in its current form, it is open to abuse from shady manufacturers who will try to sell cannabis products that are not what they claim to be. These inferior CBD may contain more or less THC than the allowed amount of 0.3%. They may also contain harmful residues, solvents, or contaminants.
Unethical manufacturers who lie about the CBD content of their products or otherwise make untrue claims give the industry a bad reputation when it comes to trustworthiness.
To counteract this issue, ethical manufacturers send their products to an independent 3rd party lab for testing. The sole purpose for this is to provide consumers with an unbiased report on the integrity of the product.
One of the most common tests undertaken by independent labs is for cannabinoid content. This checks the cannabinoid levels in the sample, the most important of these being for THC. If the THC level is too high, an unwary consumer could inadvertently become stoned, leading to all kinds of problems such as trouble with the law, loss of a driver’s license, failing a drug test at work, and more.
Another common test is for heavy metals. The cannabis plant is a bioaccumulator, meaning that it collects nutrients from the soil and draws them into its tissues. Unfortunately, it also accumulates heavy metals which are destructive to the body’s cells and tissues and can cause inflammation.
bioMD+ believes in transparency and trustworthiness. Each time it makes a batch of product, a sample goes to the lab for testing so that consumers know exactly what they’re getting.
CBD for Anxiety: 3 Things You Shouldn’t Compromise
It’s important to trust the product and brand you’re buying. After all, how do you know if the product is what it claims to be? That’s why we recommend that you always look for three important things when you’re researching a product.
1. Third-Party Lab Testing
This ensures that you get an independent, scientifically accurate analysis of the product’s chemical makeup. It means that you can safely trust the product to do what it says.
2. Customer Service
When a company is easy to contact and offers excellent customer service, you know it’s a company that cares about the integrity of its products as well as its customer’s health information.
If a company is hard to contact or offers poor customer service, it’s a red flag for a questionable product. Try contacting them before you buy and see what their customer service is like. If it’s prompt and helpful, you can have confidence in the product.
3. Price
The old saying ‘too good to be true’ certainly applies to pricing for CBD products. You can be sure that a cheap product is inferior to one with a higher price tag. This is because top-quality CBD is extracted using equipment and expertise that naturally comes with higher costs.
Cheap products will almost certainly have toxic residues left behind after the extraction process. A compromise on quality means that you won’t get the maximum benefits from the product.
What’s the Big Deal About Terpenes?
A full-spectrum CBD product contains terpenes, which are aromatic compounds present in the cannabis plant. Each strain of cannabis has unique terpenes that give it a particular flavor or smell.
More importantly for anxiety and other mental health disorder, experts believe that terpenes work with flavonoids and cannabinoids to enhance the medicinal effects of CBD. While more research is needed on how this occurs, researchers believe that a full-spectrum product may be more beneficial than CBD alone.
bioMD+ uses a proprietary blend of terpenes to enhance the effectiveness of its CBD products. Its popular full-spectrum oil tinctures also come infused with Citrus, Vanilla and Mint for a pleasant flavor (it’s also available in a natural flavor).
Each terpene is associated with a different effect. bioMD+ uses these terpenes in its proprietary blends to amplify the benefits.
Linalool
Linalool is found in lavender, birch bark, rose flowers, and some citrus. It has traditionally been used for its calming effects and as a natural treatment for anxiety and stress treatment. A dose of CBD lowered both their blood pressure and heart rate. It is also used for pain relief. Its scent is described as sweet lavender with a hint of citrus.
It appears to work by blocking the receptors for glutamate, a chemical that causes excitement or agitation in the brain.
It also reduces the body’s release of acetylcholine, a brain chemical used to contract muscles and transmit nerve signals, thus reducing pain sensations, especially for neuropathic pain and inflammatory conditions.
Limonene
Limonene comes from citrus fruits, some berries, caraway, bergamot, dill and peppermint, among others. It has a tangy citrus scent.
Its best-known effect is to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, although it also has antimicrobial properties. It may help with focus and a positive mood.
Humulene
Humulene can be found in hops, sage and ginseng. It has an earthy, woody scent with spicy and herbal notes.
Its best medicinal effect is against pain and inflammation. It also suppresses appetite and tumors.
Terpinolene
Terpinolene is found in apples, lilac, cumin and nutmeg. Its primary medicinal property is as a sedative, making it useful for some forms of anxiety and improving sleep quality. Use of CBD may also offer protection against heart disease.
While many other terpenes have a distinct dominant scent, terpinolene is a fresh scent with an array of different notes, from citrus to floral.
Pinene
Pinene is found primarily in pine trees and cannabis plants and it gives pine trees their distinctive scent. It may be useful for anxiety, although more research is needed on the potential benefits. It may also be useful as an anti-inflammatory and memory-booster.
Myrcene
Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes and is found in a variety of plants including hops, lemongrass and basil. Its aroma is earthy and fruity with a hint of cloves, and it appears to have relaxing and sedating properties, making it an ideal choice for insomnia due to pain or anxiety.
Caryophyllene
Caryophyllene is found in black pepper, cloves, hops, oregano, cinnamon, rosemary and basil. It has a pungent spicy scent and Cannabidiol may be useful in treating anxiety and depression, along with having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
bioMD+ Offers a Wide Array of Products
At popularcbdproducts.com, we recognize that not everyone is going to use the same product. bioMD+ got our tick of approval because it offers a lot of different options.
Emily agrees. “It took me a while to find the right product,” she says. “I tried a few different brands before a family member recommended bioMD+. I tried the full-spectrum CBD at first, but it has a small amount of THC in it. I found that I was sensitive to even small amounts of THC, so I tried the vegan isolate gummies. Once I got the dose right, I knew that it was a good fit for me. I’m vegan, so these are perfect. I also use the CBD isolate oil for when I need it to work fast.”
“One thing that is really important to me is the integrity of the product. With bioMD+, I know I’m getting exactly what it says on the label. It was one of the deciding factors to stick with this brand.”
bioMD+ offers an array of products, so there is something that should suit even the most sensitive consumer.
Full-spectrum CBD tinctures are made from organic hemp grown in Colorado and are free of contaminants such as pesticides. They are lab-verified for CBD concentration and to ensure that THC remains below 0.3%. In addition to the naturally occurring terpenes, a proprietary blend of terpenes is added for beneficial effects.
When it comes to stress and anxiety, the full-spectrum CBD tinctures are a good choice unless you are sensitive to small amounts of THC, with the added benefit of terpenes and flavonoids.
If you find that you are sensitive to small amounts of THC or simply wish to avoid it completely, the CBD isolate products are still helpful.
Which Product is a Customer Favorite?
bioMD+ has a clear favorite among its customers, the full-spectrum Citrus CBD Tincture.
At popularcbdbrands.com, we agreed. It was our favorite, too. That’s why we gave it our No 1 vote out of all the hemp-derived cbd products we tested.
With added pinene, linalool and limonene, it also contains a dash of citrus for a light, pleasant taste. It’s a good choice for anxiety, with the calming effects of the added terpenes enhancing the natural terpenes and flavonoids of the full-spectrum oil. Blended with organic coconut oil, it ticks all the boxes for purity, potency, and value for money, along with its good eco-credentials.
For a CBD isolate, it would be hard to go past the bioMD+ CBD isolate oil. Made from pure CBD isolate blended with coconut oil and tested by an independent 3rd party, you can be sure that you’re getting the best. If you’re not a fan of the natural flavor, you can try it in citrus or mint for a more pleasant taste.
What About CBD Gummies for Anxiety?
The reviews don’t lie! Many consumers reported that CBD may help relieve anxiety and stress symptoms after they started using CBD oil gummies.
Lots of people prefer the taste and convenience of CBD gummies, which is why bioMD+ has a range of CBD gummies to suit everyone.
One important thing to look for in gummies is a label that clearly states that the product contains CBD. Sometimes hemp gummies are misleadingly marketed as having the same benefits, but they come from pressed hemp seeds and contain very little cannabidiol.
With gummies from bioMD+, you can make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Their gummies are made from organic, pesticide-free plants grown in the USA. The hemp extraction process is safe and natural, leaving no harmful residues or toxins, and the product comes with the flexibility of different flavors to suit personal taste.
bioMD+ offers a full-spectrum gummy for anxiety relief, complete with the full profile of beneficial terpenes and flavonoids that work in synergy with cannabidiol CBD to offer relief from anxiety disorders symptoms.
There is also a gummy range for people who prefer to use CBD isolate. Along with the full-spectrum gummies, these products are vegan, non-GMO, and organic. They are the best choice for anyone who finds that they are sensitive to small amounts of THC (in some cases, it can make anxiety symptoms worse). They are also a good choice for who would prefer to avoid even small amounts of THC due to work or legal requirements.
Gummies for Kids? What’s That All About?
Yes, kids can take gummies to help with anxiety, depression or sleep (although the best approach is to encourage natural sleep because using a sleeping aid can mean that a child has difficulty falling asleep without it).
Kids can take the same gummies as adults once you know the appropriate dose. BioMD+ offers a consistent product so that you know how much CBD is in it, which makes it safe for a child to take.
What does CBG do?
One of the unique blends that bioMD+ offers contains CBG, which stands for cannabigerol. A similar compound to cannabidiol.
CBG is another cannabinoid like CBD. It is not psychoactive, meaning that it won’t cause a high, and it interacts with the same receptors that CBD does. The hemp plant produces CBG before and THC, meaning that CBG is a precursor to both.
More research is needed to understand how CBG and CBD work together, but it appears that they are effective at treating pain, inflammation and anxiety disorders, as well as boosting memory and helping to improve mood.
bioMD+ offers CBG with CBD (full spectrum) in either natural or citrus flavors. It may be a good choice for someone who needs pain relief and also suffers from anxiety. Due to the combined cbd s effects of the two main ingredients, it is the product of choice for many customers. Using CBD oil can help your anxiety.
At popularcbdbrands.com, we believe that bioMD+ deserves our no. 1 vote for its stringent production practices, its trustworthy testing and labeling, and the high quality of its products. In fact, the only drawback to this brand in our eyes is that it doesn’t ship its products outside the US, meaning that the rest of the world doesn’t have access to this quality product (but hey, that’s all the more for us). Well done, bioMD+! You deserve the recognition.
And In Second Place …
Although bioMD+ came out as our first choice, it was a close race to the finish line, so we feel that the runners-up also deserve a mention.
And in second place … Pinnacle Hemp!
Pinnacle Hemp was born when Kevin Lacey’s daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 9. He watched helplessly as his daughter changed from a bright, confident, outgoing young girl to someone that was anxious and had low self-esteem.
The only solution that doctors could offer was to increase the medication dosage until the seizures stopped, leaving Kenzie with unwanted side effects of CBD. The solution? More medication to manage the side effects.
Kevin had heard about using CBD for epilepsy, but his search took many twists and turns before he discovered that it really could help Kenzie. He found the right farmer and best extraction method and set about creating a high-quality product that does what it says it will.
And Kenzie today? She’s the bright, happy girl she’s meant to be. She no longer suffers from anxiety disorders and poor self-esteem, and the seizures are under control. Kevin couldn’t be happier.
Why Did We Choose Pinnacle Hemp?
At popularcbdbrands.com, we love stories with a happy ending as much as anyone else. But it takes more than a good story to make it onto our list of the best brands. Each brand must also pass our rigorous testing.
Among the things we love about Pinnacle Hemp is its transparency. Anyone can go to the website, click on a batch number, and view the 3rd party lab results for that batch. Consumers know exactly what they’re getting long before they get out their wallets.
Pinnacle Hemp also cares about the quality of its product. It is involved in every step of the process, from seed selection to harvest to extraction. The result is pure, sustainably produced cannabidiol that consumers can trust.
People Are Important
Kevin says it’s the people his products have helped that keep him going, and he does it for families like his own who have run out of conventional medical options. People are important to Pinnacle Hemp.
In fact, Pinnacle Hemp believes that everyone should have access to a product that could change their lives for the better. That’s why they have created an assistance program to help those in need to afford a natural alternative to conventional medication.
Low-income earners, people with disabilities, and military veterans can all apply for acceptance into the assistance program, which enables them to purchase with a discount.
Pinnacle Hemp also offers a reward program for loyal customers.
We really like the company’s approach to social responsibility and accessibility, making quality products available to everyone.
Pinnacle Hemp Offers a Wide Range
There’s something for everyone in Pinnacle Hemp’s wide range of products. They offer full-spectrum oils, capsules, concentrates, and edibles, along with various vaping products. There’s even something for your furry friend with their pet treats!
They also offer broad-spectrum and isolate products in oils, edibles, and tinctures.
Our Favorite Product?
We liked Pinnacle Hemp’s Full-Spectrum Original CBD tincture. It is eco-friendly, 100% organic, and non-GMO, and contains the full profile of cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. We would like to see some other flavor options, but it can be added to food or drink if the taste is a problem.
What Do Customers Think?
Raymond is a fan of the Pinnacle Brand, so what does he like about it?
“I started taking CBD after a bad accident left me with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety,” he says. “I like the products because they work, but also because the company is so honest and transparent about what’s in them.”
“They made it possible for me to access their products through the assistance program because after the accident, I was unable to work and I wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise. Thanks to the CBD oils, my mobility has improved and so has my mental health. I’m back at work now, although I still take the oil to help me manage lingering pain. I’m grateful to be where I am now.”
Well done, Pinnacle Hemp! You’re a worthy winner of second place.
And Third Place Goes To …
This brand has gained a solid foothold in the market through the consistency of its product and the reputation of its owner, Josh Delany, who is a respected industry leader. It uses organic, non-GMO hemp grown in Colorado.
FAB CBD offers a good array of cannabidiol products, with both tinctures and oral drops available in their full-spectrum range. They also offer isolates, cream, salve, dog treats and superfoods.
Pricing is competitive and fair, and the company offers a loyalty program that includes first access to new products. While Fab. CBD does carry out 3rd party testing, not every result for every product development is posted online, something we would like to see.
FAB CBD uses the CO2 extraction method, leaving a clean, pure product free of pesticides and harmful residues.
But how does it taste?
Let’s ask Robin, a teacher in her 40s who uses it daily.
“You’d expect a rich CBD to have a strong, leafy taste,” she says. “I was pleasantly surprised to find that FAB offers their oil tinctures in a range of light, pleasant-tasting flavors that are refreshing rather than overwhelming. My favorite is citrus, but it also comes in mint, berry, and vanilla. And, of course, there is a natural flavor, but I won’t be taking that anytime soon,” she laughs.
“I started taking CBD oil for anxiety disorder and stress. I tried a couple of other brands and was about to give up because they didn’t seem to help a lot. Then a friend suggested I try FAB Cannabidiol drops. I was skeptical at first, but my friend wouldn’t take no for an answer, luckily for me. I tried it to please her and was pleasantly surprised that it worked; within a few days, I felt my anxiety and depression, stress symptoms decrease. I’m not sure why it worked when the others didn’t. I can only assume that Fab’s products are superior in quality, but I’m not complaining!”
Excellent Customer Service
One of the things that impressed us about FAB CBD was their excellent customer service, second to none. Nothing is too much trouble, and customers leave with the feeling that they matter to this company. The knowledgeable customer service representatives of FAB CBD may help you choose the right product for your needs!
Our Favorite FAB Product?
It would have to be their full-spectrum CBD drops in citrus flavor. They’re also available in mint, berry, vanilla or natural flavors, and come in four strengths starting at 150 mg of CBD or 30 ml. The lowest potency provides 3.3 mg of CBD per serving.
FAB uses MCT oil as a carrier (MCT stand for medium-chain triglycerides). MCT is usually a blend of coconut and palm oil and enhances the bioavailability of CBD oils.
Overall, FAB CBD oils offers a good balance between quality and price if you’re looking for a mid-level product.
Well done, FAB CBD. You were a worthy contender for third place!
Our Tips for Getting the Most from Your CBD Products
Being the connoisseurs of CBD products that we are, we thought we’d put together a few tips that we’ve picked up along the way to help you get the best out of your CBD products.
- Always go with the best quality you can afford. You really do get what you pay for.
- Before choosing a company, contact their customer care team first. If they are helpful and informative and treat their customers well, there’s a good chance that they also care about their products.
- Avoid any companies that don’t offer transparent 3rd party lab results. We like to choose companies that put their batch results on their websites for the public to see.
- Avoid cheap use CBD products. Invariably, these will be inferior in quality and not worth wasting your hard-earned cash on. Also, avoid products where part or all of the production process occurs overseas, where laws of CBD oil may be different or non-existent. Stick to reputable brands based here in the USA.
- Remember that the bioavailability of CBD oil is naturally low, especially when it passes through the digestive system. Get the most out of it by taking it in conjunction with some kind of oil or fat to enhance its bioavailability, and take it after a meal.
CBD for Anxiety: We Uncovered the Best!
There it is, our top three picks for CBD oil for anxiety in 2020. bioMD+ was the clear winner, but Pinnacle Hemp and FAB CBD in the United States came in close behind. Well done to everyone; you deserve the top places!
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