Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world today. In fact, about 6.8% of the U.S. population—or 15 million adults—suffer from it.
People who struggle with social anxiety disorder experience an intense dread at the prospect of interacting with others. Such situations often lead to:
- Blushing
- Stuttering
- Extreme self-consciousness
- Nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Panic attacks
For many people living with social anxiety disorder, forming relationships, holding a job and performing daily routines can all feel overwhelming.
Unfortunately, folks with social anxiety disorder wait an average of 10 years after symptoms first present themselves before seeking help. Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavior therapy, is one of the most commonly used and effective ways to treat social anxiety. With psychotherapy, the goal is to identify the root cause of the disorder, and develop new behaviors and techniques to overcome it.
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However, many doctors also prescribe pharmaceutical drugs to people to help them cope with their symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines are the most common drugs prescribed for social anxiety disorder.
While pharmaceuticals are appropriate for some with social anxiety, all too often they’re prescribed before people try alternative—and potentially safer—treatments.
Both SSRIs and benzos come with unpleasant side effects:
- SSRIs such as Zoloft and Prozac can cause nausea, drowsiness, headaches, insomnia, dry mouth, sexual problems and dizziness.
- Benzodiazepines, meanwhile, can be highly addictive. Simply coming off of them can cause severe withdrawal symptoms like sleep problems, irritability, nausea, panic attacks and increased anxiety.
Fortunately, cannabidiol (CBD) offers a potential alternative for social anxiety disorder sufferers. One 2011 study of people with generalized social anxiety disorder found that those who took a single dose of CBD before a simulated public speaking test showed “significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment and discomfort in their speech performance” than those who took a placebo.
If you’re struggling with social anxiety disorder, CBD may provide relief. Of course, before changing your treatment plan, you should talk with your health care provider.
With this in mind, here are four CBD products that can help ease social anxiety disorder.
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1. Vaping Provides a Fast Way to Enjoy CBD’s Soothing Properties
One of the most popular ways to consume CBD is through vaping. A CBD vape pen provides fast relief from the symptoms of social anxiety.
Vaping is also a great choice for those who’ve used cigarettes to cope with their social anxiety in the past and are now looking for an alternative to smoking. Because vaping simulates smoking in many ways, it can feel comfortable for smokers who want a healthier but familiar method to combat their anxiety.
Some vaporizers, such as Pure Ratios’ CBD Hemp Vape Cartridge and Wildflower’s CBD+ Immunity Vaporizer, also contain terpenes, many of which have their own antianxiety benefits.
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2. CBD Tinctures Provide a Versatile Way to Combat Social Anxiety
If you’re looking for a straightforward and versatile way to take advantage of CBD for social anxiety, a tincture is perhaps your best bet. You can consume tinctures in a variety of ways.
For fast-acting relief, apply a few drops sublingually (under your tongue), just before going out and socializing with people. Alternatively, you can add CBD tinctures to just about any recipe in order to easily add CBD’s stress-relieving effects to your daily routine.
Many companies also infuse their tinctures with essential oils, like lavender, which help elevate the product’s calming properties.
You may also want to keep an eye out for tinctures that feature full-spectrum CBD hemp oil, such as CBD+ Tincture Relief by Wildflower. With full-spectrum CBD, you get more of the health benefits of hemp beyond those that CBD isolate can provide.
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3. Try CBD Capsules for an Easy Way to Control Your Dose to Calm Anxiety
While vaporizers are a great way to get fast-acting relief from social anxiety symptoms, their dosage can sometimes be hard to control. This issue is solved with CBD capsules. With each capsule, you know precisely how much CBD you’re consuming. This makes it much easier to work out what amount of CBD is right for you.
There are a wide variety of capsules on the market, each with varying amounts of CBD. As with tinctures, opting for capsules that feature full-spectrum CBD is a good idea. For example, Elixinol’s CBD Hemp Oil Capsules boast full-spectrum hemp oil so that you can enjoy the many benefits of the plant’s various cannabinoids and terpenes. The fact that it comes from organically grown hemp also ensures a higher quality product.
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4. Take CBD Mints for a Discreet Way to Ease Anxiety
Social anxiety can, of course, strike at the most inopportune times, such as when you’re on a date, preparing for a job interview or trying to make small talk at a party. For such moments, finding a discreet way to consume CBD can be a challenge.
After all, if you’re already suffering from social anxiety, then taking out CBD oil or capsules may cause you to feel even more self-conscious. And if you’re indoors, then using a vaporizer may not be an option.
So, if you’re looking for an inconspicuous way to consume CBD for social anxiety, consider CBD mints. Mr. Moxey’s Calm CBD Peppermints contain 60 mints per tin with each one featuring a mild dose of 5 mg of CBD. The mints are also vegan and gluten free, so you can enjoy them regardless of dietary restrictions. Best of all, no one will know you’re taking CBD to feel cool, calm and collected.
Photo credits: Eutah Mizushima
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