The ancient philosopher Confucius said: “We have two lives, and the second begins when we realise we only have one.”
It’s this philosophy that mum of two Jackie Hood now lives by, after beating breast cancer and deciding to live her life to the fullest – by taking on the same extreme sports and activities as her children.
From mountain biking to BMX, to snowboarding and wind-surfing, to learning guitar and becoming the lead singer in a band, the 53-year-old is taking it all in her stride, and certainly not “leaving all the fun stuff” to her teenage sons, Benjamin, 17, and Oliver, 15.
CBD or cannabidiol is part of the cannabis family- but with less than 0.3% THC, it is non-psychoactive and will not provide the euphoria that marijuana does. However, similarly to its close cousin, CBD does offer therapeutic properties that have shown efficacy with pain management, digestion issues, and mental health conditions like anxiety. If you struggle with anxiety, you may consider tinctures, oils, and supplements that can reduce the severity and frequency of your symptoms.
What Are Some Symptoms and Signs of Anxiety?
First, it may help to define what exactly anxiety is: Anxiety is your reaction to certain situations or perceived conditions, including those that are stressful, strange, or dangerous. There is a sense of unease, distress, and agitation associated with anxiety. It evokes uncomfortable feelings that are not altogether unhelpful, as anxiety often aids in being aware and alert, thus avoiding dangers or risks.
Symptoms, severity, and frequency of anxiety will be different for every individual. Many may have genetic contributors, while others may have lifestyle habits that add to feelings of anxiousness or mood disorder. Some common symptoms reported by many people living with anxiety include the following:
- Agitation
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of despair
- Fear
- Nervousness
- Feelings of danger
- Irritability
Feelings of anxiety may be situational and could be treated with supplements, diet, or lifestyle changes. CBD provides another way to address anxiety quickly and effectively. It has been deemed safe for short and long-term use, making it a flexible option.
You may also choose to augment your CBD protocols with other homeopathic and highly effective ways of coping with bouts of anxiety. Some of the recommendations include these:
To instantly relieve feelings of anxiety, try deep breathing. Be mindful of each breath, breathing in through your nose and out through the mouth. Try this in conjunction with meditation daily for a healthful and calming ritual that may reduce incidents of anxiety.
Another homeopathic approach to anxiety is aromatherapy. Invest in a simple diffuser and your favorite high-quality essential oils. Some scents that can help with feelings of anxiety? Try lavender, bergamot, peppermint, and cinnamon scents to help take the edge off when feeling anxious or uncomfortable. Be wary of using aromatherapy around pets, as some fragrances can be toxic for dogs and cats.
Did you know that your diet can play a role in feelings of anxiety? It is true- refined carbohydrates- like cookies and fried food- can cause your blood sugar to spike, leading to feelings of anxiousness and edginess. This crash can create a lot of internal stress and distress; instead, snack on avocado, walnuts, and eggs for energy and excellent mood regulation. Other dietary changes to reduce anxiety may include limiting caffeine or sugar after a particular time of day.
Take a walk! Walking and physical exertion may be the best way to fight feelings of anxiety as they occur. Get some of that distressful and uncomfortable energy out with a brisk walk or jog. It is suggested that 20 minutes of vigorous exercise that gets your heart rate up and blood flowing can have the same antidepressant effects as many prescription medications- with a lot fewer side effects! Plus, it is helpful for holistic health and wellbeing; get moving!
Have you ever tried practicing mindfulness? This is a unique approach to treating feelings of trauma, anxiety, and depression that can become ingrained and instinctual over time with regular practice. When something triggers uncomfortable feelings, it can help to note your surroundings, sensations, and mindset immediately and complete a quick reality check by revisiting who you are and how you feel. This sounds a bit ambiguous, but ask yourself basic questions like ‘what do I see?’ or ‘am I warm or cold?’ can distract from the discomfort and bring you back to a more peaceful state of mind.
If you are interested in pursuing mindfulness practice, numerous online videos and tutorials can explain more. There are also some great books on the market to help walk you through learning to be mindful. Once you are mindful, you live more in the moment and can experience more joy from living and alleviate the plagues of anxiety and depression.
Comparatively, talk therapy can also help with anxiety. Therapists and counselors may be able to tease out the inherent triggers of your feelings, thus allowing you to be more aware and more adept at coping with these stressful and often unexpected situations. Your therapist may be able to identify if medications are a viable treatment option- as well as determine your candidacy for supplements like CBD.
It bears repeating that you should always consult with your practitioner or provider when adding supplements like CBD to your daily routine or making significant changes to your exercise and diet. It is promising that cannabidiol products can offer relief of anxiety for many- while curbing the uncomfortable side effects of pharmacological solutions.
Some specific ways that CBD may help with your anxiety include the following:
Improved Sleep
One reason for anxiety is poor sleep. Sleep hygiene is a critical component of holistic health and wellness; are you getting good rest? CBD activates the serotonin in the brain, which induces a sense of calm and relaxation. This may be why CBD helps so many get a good night’s sleep. By reducing the symptoms of anxiety-like agitation and perseveration, you may be lulled to sleep more quickly and for longer than without CBD. It is seemingly a win-win situation when considering the other benefits of cannabidiol products.
Better Mood
Doesn’t everyone want to be in a bit of a better mood? CBD shows great potential at treating mood-related disturbances and disorders, so why not take it for a simple boost? It is estimated that nearly 16 million people in the US live with depression. Some seek treatment; others do not. CBD has been used successfully with individuals living with depression by releasing serotonin in the brain.
CBD oil affects depression by impacting the hippocampus in the brain’s limbic system. This is the emotion controller in your brain that manages feelings of pleasure, fear, and anger. It also controls basic emotions like nurturance, hunger, or libido.
When you struggle with symptoms of depression, this causes the hippocampus to become smaller. CBD stimulates the growth of new neurons- which may alleviate depression. Many that regularly take CBD oil or other cannabidiol products to treat their symptoms of depression or mood disorder report that it has a similar effect as some prescription antidepressants, like Paxil and Zoloft. This does not mean that consumers should discontinue their current antidepressants instead of CBD- it is always best to discuss such choices with your primary medical provider.
Less Pain
Is your anxiety a result of chronic pain? CBD can help. It is prevalent to use CBD for chronic pain, such as topicals, oils, and tinctures. CBD alleviates inflammation, which makes it especially effective at chronic pain related to your back, arthritis, and neuropathy by acting on the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. CBD has shown success in relieving the pain of fibromyalgia and cancer, too. This shows promise as an alternative to medications, like opioids, which have a great propensity for dependence and abuse. Perhaps the most compelling feature of CBD is that it is devoid of the side effects that can cause interactions and complications.
CBD Dosage Information
There are many different ways to glean the healing properties of CBD. CBD oil on the skin is most effective at targeted pain like arthritis. You can use a tincture and put drops of CBD on your tongue. Industry experts suggest placing the dropper under the tongue for faster delivery of the cannabidiol into the body. You will likely begin to feel effects in minutes.
You might also use CBD edibles, such as gummy candy or baked treats, for a more extended, time-released type of CBD use. This would be an effective plan for people with chronic issues like neuropathy or mood disorders. Are you familiar with vaping? You may choose to vaporize your cannabidiol, but make sure to buy quality CBD vape juice from sellers in the USA for the best products. This allows for the fast delivery of CBD while also giving you some control over how much you ingest.
Cannabidiol Tips for Consumers
There is a lot to learn about CBD, so it makes sense to do a little research online before buying cannabidiol products to treat your anxiety. Plus, you should always consult and report changes to your routine- such as adding a CBD supplement- to your provider or doctor.
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How Do You Use CBD Safely and Adequately?
Consider these CBD tips:
Non-psychoactive Cannabidiol products, including CBD oil, are legal in every state of the United States. It is widely available in capsules, drops, lotions, and gummies and is typically sold in smoke shops, drug stores, and online.
Always read the label of the CBD products you buy for dosing information- it will vary significantly from one item to the next. It helps to keep a journal of what products you use and how much- as well as how it makes you feel. This may help narrow down the market to the most effective items for your anxiety.
When in doubt, start small and increase the use or dose of your CBD over time.
Remember that CBD also contains many amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, so it is a worthwhile supplement even if you do not suffer from depression. Consider incorporating CBD products as part of your daily regimen.
Ensure that the CBD oil and products you buy are extracted from hemp. CBD products extracted from marijuana plants are illegal in most states, and these will not be permitted to be shipped from one state to the next.
The side effects of CBD are mild when compared to other medications and treatment options, and topical CBD products do not enter the bloodstream, eliminating most side effects and risks. As with anything, however, there are a few side effects and symptoms that may merit discontinuing CBD use, but that is not alarming.
Some of these side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Significant changes in appetite or weight
- Also, be aware of potential interactions when using CBD products as they may interact with:
- Specific over-the-counter drugs
- Some psychiatric medications
- Dietary supplements
Your doctor will provide more information, but if your current meds or supplements caution consumers of a “grapefruit warning” on the label, it could indicate that CBD and grapefruit- or derivatives- could cause metabolic interference also elevate the risk of liver toxicity.
The market for CBD remains largely unregulated, so make sure that you know what you are buying before you make the purchase. Look for local distributors with transparent labeling, so you know exactly how and how much to ingest. Always opt for high-quality CBD products made in the USA.
Using CBD For Anxiety Conclusion
If you struggle with anxiety, CBD provides an alternative that can augment your existing regimen or that may be an all-natural option for those sensitive to medication. Always discuss changes in your routine with your provider, but CBD is an over-the-counter, safe supplement that can relieve symptoms of anxiety gently and naturally. From tinctures and edible baked goods to topical oils and body lotions that deliver therapeutic levels of cannabidiol to the system, there is another alternative to defeat depression and alleviate anxiety for sufferers. Consider the many advantages of CBD for yourself!
Hood, who lives in Helensburgh with her boys and husband, Charles, said experiencing cancer completely changed her outlook on life and made her realise she needed to make the most of life.
“Going through something like cancer and coming out the other side gives you the feeling of essentially having two lives, and it makes you really take a good look at the life you’ve been given,” she said.
“It really makes you see how precious life is and take stock of what’s seriously important to you.
“And what was important to me was spending as much time with my kids as I could.
“My sons both got really into skateboarding and I would take them to the park every single day. And I was looking at them thinking, hang on, why am I just sitting here drinking tea while they get to have all the fun?
“So I decided to join in and it all just kind of went from there.
“We ski and snowboard together, we mountain bike together, we windsurf together, I even took music lessons at the same time as them, and now we’re in a band together.
“I quite enjoy it when I’m doing these activities with them – especially the mountain biking – and see people doing a double take, like, ‘wait, is that their mum?’”
Instead of doing the classic parent job of dropping kids off at an activity and picking them up afterwards, Hood decided to challenge this culture and as a result saw other parents following suit.
“If I hadn’t had the cancer I maybe wouldn’t have thought this way so much, but I really don’t want to look back on my life and think I wish I had learned to do that – why didn’t I?
“Yes, I was constantly falling over and making a bit of a fool of myself when I started the skateboarding, but when you’ve been through chemotherapy and people have seen you with your hair falling out and crumbling teeth and nails, you really don’t care if they see you take a tumble.
“It’s funny because kids fall over all the time and it doesn’t matter to them – so why does this change when we become adults? Why should we be embarrassed doing the same things as our kids? Why shouldn’t we have the same fun they do?
“Also, I would notice the week later there would be a dad on a scooter who had obviously thought, ‘oh well if she can do it, so can I!’ so that’s pretty cool.”
Despite some teenagers finding their parents woefully embarrassing, Hood said her boys say they actually have more fun when she’s doing activities with them, although one of their friends dubbed her a ‘gangster granny.’
“My parents never did any of these kinds of things with me when I was young – they would just watch,” she said.
“But my kids love it and they say it’s more fun when I’m there.
“Maybe they’re mindful of the fact that I’ve gone through the cancer and have been ill as well, so they want to spend time with me too. Because it could come back, and sometimes I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and worry that’s going to happen, so that’s what drives me to just keep pushing myself to do all these fun things, because this is the time I have to do it.”
Despite sometimes worrying her cancer may return, Hood partly attributes her remission to staying active and keeping a positive mindset.
“I remember I went into the doctors for a check-up and they told me that they could always tell who was going to survive cancer and who wasn’t by looking at people who were fit and ‘fighters’ and those who had already given up. I was determined to be one of the fighters.
“Basically, I feel like if I’m this strong, and doing all these physical things, that if the cancer tries to come back, it’ll take a look at me and think oh actually, no, we won’t be able to beat her.
“I know that’s not perhaps scientifically true but it does help to make me feel better.”
As well as joining in with her sons’ sporting escapades, Hood has also joined them in their musical endeavours, becoming the lead singer in their band and performing out of their garage during lockdown after winning a competition.
“Music is just so good too, from a mental health point,” she said.
“There’s no room to think about anything else – for example my cancer coming back – it’s like a meditation almost.
“I’d always wanted to sing in a band, so I thought, well, this might be my only chance, so we started rehearsing last year and we’re actually pretty good!
“We won a competition to have a Foo Fighters tribute band come and play in the garage, and so I said okay that’s great, but can we be the support act? And they said yes.
“It was so much fun performing in front of an audience who actually seemed to be enjoying what we were doing and I just remember thinking – wow, I’ll remember this forever.”
Increasing evidence shows an active and positive lifestyle can help in reducing the risk of many types of cancer, and, according to experts, it can even shrink tumours.
Research published this week by the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggested that a moderate exercise programme could also improve the success of chemotherapy in oesophageal cancer patients.
They found that those who had taken part in the exercise programme showed a better response to the chemotherapy, with their tumours shrinking more, and being more likely to be ‘down-graded’ – assessed as being less advanced.
The American College of Sports Medicine convened an international multidisciplinary roundtable on exercise and cancer and also found that physical activity is beneficial for the prevention of several types of cancer including breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, bladder, esophageal, and stomach.
And according to Breast Cancer UK, moderate exercise has been estimated to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women by 20-30%. Physical activity has been shown to help those who have breast cancer, with moderate exercise reducing mortality by an estimated 24%.
Josefine Björkqvist, a research fellow at the University of Aberdeen and an exercise physiologist with a background in cancer rehabilitation, said the findings show that exercise should be offered as part of cancer treatment for all patients.
She said: “Being active can improve physical fitness and mental health and speed up recovery. It can also help stop the cancer from coming back.
“There is now emerging evidence to show that exercise before and during chemotherapy may even help people tolerate the treatment better and help shrink the tumour.
“One of the key things I found when working with cancer patients in NHS Grampian is how empowering exercise can be for people living with cancer. Being active is a way for people to take back control of their health and to improve their mood.”
According to specialists at Beatson Cancer Charity, physical exercise can help with cancer as it aids people’s general health levels, which in turn means their bodies are in a better position to fight back.
Gillian Hailstones, director of care services at Beatson said: “We find with many cancer patients that a positive mindset comes as a result of exercise because it allows people to focus on something other than their treatment, or perhaps the worry of cancer coming back.
“People who are active and not passive in terms of their physical activities and their attitude to cancer are often the ones who respond better to treatment because they are healthier and therefore they perhaps have better lung capacity, better overall health in order to fight the cancer or deal with chemotherapy.”
Professor of Behavioural Science and Health at Glasgow University, Katie Robb agrees.
She said: “There is good evidence that being active can have a number of benefits for cancer survivors including reducing tiredness, reducing depressive symptoms, and improving quality of life.
“It’s definitely an exciting and growing area of research.”
There is a spectrum however, says Kenneth Muir, fitness director at MorphFit Gentle Movement classes with Beatson, and younger people as opposed to elderly people are in a better position to utilise exercise as a cancer treatment due to age and mobility.
“It is a lot to do with physiology and there’s certainly not a one size fits all approach,” he said.
“However, having a support network like the one we offer can really help with people’s moods when fighting cancer and for those in remission. It can help them form a more positive attitude, which in turn can help lead them to find the strength to do a bit of exercise which can then help with their overall health.”
