It is alarming how common anxiety disorders are in our societies. The sales of books about anxiety and stress have grown by 25%.

Panic attacks directly stem from anxiety and are often triggered by other stress factors, and people with a panic disorder develop it by the age of 24. According to World Health Organization (WHO) reports, anxiety disorders impact about 284 million people globally.

Anxiety is like an imaginary cage that many people feel locked in. Being a prisoner for no reason can seriously impact one’s mental health. Anxiety disorders appear as a sense of insecurity that might become permanent over time.

In the United States, 2.4 million people are suffering from anxiety disorders or panic attacks, in which women are twice as likely as males to suffer from panic attacks.

Do CBD Products Cause Panic Attacks ?

CBD, known as Cannabidiol, is the latest health supplement, gaining popularity for many health benefits. People have started consuming CBD in many different forms such as CBD oil & tinctures, gummies, CBD salves, capsules, and many more.

People often take CBD to help with stress and anxiety, it can help you release tension and banish anxiety from your thoughts.

There is some evidence that CBD has a calming effect on the central nervous system, which may help to reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks. CBD may also have an effect on brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which are involved in mood and anxiety regulation.

But did you know CBD can cause panic attacks?

No doubt, CBD reduces anxiety levels but CBD having higher level of THC could give a panic attack. Some people get panic attacks after consuming CBD products.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant and has been shown in recent studies to cause panic attacks. On the other hand, THC works well with CBD to counter anxiety and prevents panic attacks.

Full-spectrum CBD has the potential to trigger anxiety in some people. Although studies have shown that pure Cannabidiol (CBD) can alleviate anxiety. The fact is that full-spectrum CBD extracts contain only a trace amount (0.3%) of THC, the major psychoactive component of cannabis. If you’re sensitive to THC and consume a large dose of full-spectrum CBD, you may experience more anxiety or even a panic attack.

However, pure CBD doesn't trigger panic attacks; instead, it helps in lowering anxiety and stress levels, which are major causes of panic attacks.

How do CBD Cause Panic Attacks?

CBD has been shown in studies to treat anxiety and is always considered a safe medication, Cannabidiol can cause panic attacks in the following circumstances:

1)    Excessive Dosage

CBD is a natural compound with no side effects when consumed in a prescribed dosage. If you take more than the recommended dosage or exceed the daily dosage, you may suffer from a panic attack. If you’re new to CBD, it’s better to start with a small dosage until your body responds to it.

2)    High THC Content

The standard THC level in medication is 0.3% or less, some local brands offer CBD products with higher THC levels which could result in a ‘high feeling’ and even psychoactive effects. The higher levels of THC could build up anxiety levels in some people and can trigger a panic attack.

Always buy CBD products from a reputable brand to avoid side effects, you can get pure and high-quality CBD products at Carmen’s Medicinal. To avoid panic attacks, make sure to read the ingredients and third-party lab results to determine the THC quantity in CBD products.

3)    CBD tolerance level in your body

Since everyone has different metabolism and energy levels, the way CBD medication interacts with some people may be different from how it interacts with others. Some people might not be affected by CBD, while others might not be tolerable to it and start experiencing anxiety and panic attacks.

If you’re taking CBD for the first time and you’re not used to it, give it some time and your body will eventually become used to it. Once you become used to it, your anxiety symptoms will go away and you’ll start experiencing its health benefits.

4)    CBD Consumption Method

Do you want to feel the effects of CBD quickly? CBD tinctures are the quickest way to feel the effects of CBD, while CBD capsules are the slowest. After ingesting CBD tinctures, you can experience pain alleviation in just a few minutes. In addition, whether it benefits you or triggers anxiety attacks depends on your metabolism.

Start by ingesting CBD capsules and oil to experience the effects of CBD, and when your body responds and starts to deal with it, switch to different CBD forms.

Can Too Much CBD Cause Panic Attacks?

Anxiety and panic attacks are the rare side effects of CBD but they can occur with some CBD products. Also, some CBD-related side effects may make you feel a little restless if you are prone to anxiety.

However, there is no clear evidence that pure CBD causes anxiety or panic attacks. If you experience these after consuming a product, this is due to the presence of other active ingredients, such as THC.

THC is more likely to be the cause of panic attacks. Consumers who reported panic attacks after "taking CBD" often ingested a full-spectrum CBD product.

So, it’s better to check the THC level in products before buying CBD. The THC content shouldn’t be more than the legal limit i.e. 0.3%.

How to Avoid Panic Attacks with CBD?

By ingesting THC-free CBD products and limiting your dosage, you can minimize anxiety and panic attacks.

• Consume THC-free CBD Products

Reduce the risk of negative effects by using THC-free CBD products that have been third-party verified. Fortunately, it just eliminates full-spectrum CBD products.

You can go with CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD. Those products that mix CBD with CBG or CBN are safe as long as there is no THC content,

Whatever you get, be sure that it comes with a third-party certificate of analysis (COA). Untested medications may contain traces or even large amounts of THC, and you wouldn’t know unless you tried them.

• CBD Dosage

The higher your intake, the more likely negative effects are, especially with full-spectrum CBD. Managing your dosage while taking a new product reduces the risk of anxiety attacks.

Verify the quantity of hemp extract in your product, the serving size, and any additives that might have an impact on the results (i.e., MCT oil). Use this information and consume accordingly, always start with a lower dose if you're unsure.

CBD Oil for Panic Attacks

CBD oil is the most popular way to take CBD In this form, the user places the drop under the tongue, holds them there for about 60 seconds, and then swallows. CBD will enter your bloodstream through your mouth's tiny blood vessels, avoiding the liver's first-pass processing. The benefits of CBD oil can be felt within 15 to 30 minutes and can last up to 4-6 hours on average.

CBD Capsules and Gummies for Panic Attacks

CBD can be taken orally in the form of capsules, gummies, and edibles.  When anything is taken orally, it must travel through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. For this reason, the effects of CBD capsules and CBD edibles might be felt after 30-90 minutes.

However, the effects can last longer because Cannabidiol is released gradually. Anxiety relief may last for 8 to 10 hours or even longer, depending on your metabolism and the potency of your CBD capsules/gummies.

Can CBD Cause Anxiety?

Some CBD consumers think that it can make people anxious. It is true that the psychoactive chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can trigger anxiety and panic attacks. However, CBD-based products are safe because they meet FDA standards.

Can CBD cure anxiety disorders?

CBD doesn’t cure anxiety disorders but it helps and accompanies people toward a natural healing process. CBD isn’t a medicine but can be consumed as a medication that significantly improves your life by reducing anxiety symptoms.

Final Thoughts

If there are any drawbacks, they are overcome by the benefits of CBD. Even as we speak, doctors and researchers throughout the world are conducting extensive research on the advantages and adverse effects of CBD, so that people can use it safely and healthily, without concern for side effects or panic attacks.

The research shows evidence of anti-panic effects via CBD, making it a useful treatment for patients suffering from panic disorder, with positive outcomes in both animals and humans. If you have a panic attack, you should always see a doctor. However, another alternative is to try a CBD isolate, which has no THC.

Just like too much of anything isn’t good, consuming too much CBD isn’t good. That’s why people who frequently consume CBD must be sure to take their daily dosage within their recommended limits and not exceed the dosage unless their doctor specifically advises them to.