We’ve all been there – curled up in bed on a weekday, wide awake, with our minds racing a mile a minute. Anxiety is usually the unwelcome companion, lurking around every corner, waiting to pounce at the most inconvenient times. As the stigma around mental health is slowly dissipating, there are many new over-the-counter methods in the market that help to manage anxiety to a certain extent.
Research shows that people with mild symptoms may find relief through natural remedies like cannabidiol (CBD), herbal products, and mindfulness activities. While these are not exact substitutes for therapy or medication, they can be particularly effective when used alongside regular counselling.
What Usually Helps
There are a lot of different types of supplements and lifestyle changes you can make to get rid of anxiety that your parents and workplace call fake. These are mostly over the counter, have a few years of research dedicated to it (nothing groundbreaking), and come at a pretty reasonable cost. You’ve probably heard of all of these and used many of them too since they come with no risk.
Melatonin Gummies: These chewable gummies are a popular melatonin supplement often used to help with sleep issues like anxiety-induced insomnia and help you fall asleep faster. I found that these do not necessarily work for anxiety disorders and are primarily used for better sleep quality.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea offers numerous benefits, including heart health, bone support, and pain relief. It can also aid sleep and reduce anxiety due to apigenin, a compound with calming effects similar to anti-anxiety medications. Again, it cannot be used individually to manage anxiety – generally helps with overall quality of life.
Magnesium Supplements: Magnesium supplements can help manage stress and cortisol levels. Magnesium is vital for muscle relaxation, and low levels can increase stress and muscle tension. By ensuring adequate magnesium intake, you can help improve your stress response. Studies show that magnesium supplements do help with anxiety disorders but further research is required.
Cannabis Products: While CBD has been on the market for a long time now, the introduction of THC has been monumental in making these products work. The differentiation between the two is that CBD reduces the inflammation in your brain and nerves, as well as reduces tension while THC is the component that gets you ‘high’ in essence. The new term on the market that encompasses both is ‘Vijaya’ extract. And before you ask, yes this is legal – the entire process is approved by the Ministry of AYUSH under the Indian government.
What Helped Me
Products on the market vary in their CBD and THC content, with some offering a balanced combination of both. After trying both variations for around a month, I can say that these products were a game changer.
I tried The Qurist CBD+THC Oil which is a full-spectrum extract that combines the benefits of the cannabis plant with no preservatives, just pure cannabinoid extract, and coconut MCT oil. This was my favourite out of all the ones I’m recommending for a variety of reasons: it was potent, has long lasting effects and is relatively easy to use. A little bit of trial and error goes a long way into discovering the exact right amount for you.
You do need a prescription for this, which you can get from the website itself. It’s on the higher side when it comes to price points but this has become a staple in my weekly routine and I cannot recommend it enough if you have general anxiety.
Another type of product I’ve been trying is the Calmasule Plus tablets from Awshad. These full-spectrum CBD THC capsules are a fuss-free, natural way to manage lifestyle-related ailments. These are great for beginners and do require a prescription as well. I recommend these for when you’re travelling or just need to calm yourself down at work, or another public place. They take some time to kick in which makes them perfect for long flights or road trips; they also reduce my motion sickness and make me less paranoid about my flight times. Plus, they retail for much less than any of the oils. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Lastly, if you’re not the biggest fan of THC or if you’re hesitant to try it, I recommend the Qurist CBD Oil. This comes without the psychoactive THC component making it much more beginner-friendly. This does not have an immediate effect and is more to improve your quality of life in the long run.
When it comes to cannabis products, there is a certain level of addiction that is associated with THC. This is why it is important to get a prescription and make sure you’re following the dosages that your health practitioner recommends.
These solutions, while not replacements for professional therapy or medication, can complement traditional treatments and improve overall quality of life. It’s important to approach these remedies with realistic expectations and under appropriate guidance to find what works best for you.
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