Is CBD Actually Helpful for Travelers with Anxiety?

Traveling can be an exciting experience of seeing new places and enjoying new cultures. However, the trip itself can be a source of stress and worry. Some people handle that stress by careful planning. A lot of that stress can be alleviated by purchasing travel insurance, offering trip protection in case the unexpected happens before or during the journey. For other people, the worst anxiety is about flying itself. Some travelers with anxiety are finding CBD to be a helpful aid to get them through their journeys.

In December 2018, hemp was legalized under the Farm Bill, but that doesn’t mean travelers should try to travel with CBD oil. Given the fact that hemp derived CDB oil is legal and marijuana derived oil isn’t, travelers could experience severe delays or worse if found to have CBD products on their person or in their luggage.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical found in cannabis plants. It is chemically similar to THC, the substance that gives marijuana its high. CBD has been found to provide some therapeutic benefits including a reduction in anxiety. Importantly, this chemical gives the user a sense of calm without providing a high.

CBD is readily available in several forms. It is most commonly taken in pill form or as an oil dripped under the tongue. Most CBD products on the market are derived from hemp plants, which have very low levels of THC vs. marijuana plants.

How Does CBD Help with Anxiety?

The physical symptoms of anxiety stem from the natural way that humans respond to threats. The body prepares for a fight or flight response, increasing the heart rate and releasing energy stored in fat. This can be especially difficult to deal with if a person is in the confined space of an airplane. CBD naturally slows this response, calming both the mind and body. Some people who use CBD feel better able to deal with stressful situations because the body does not start the stress response as quickly.

Experts recommended that CBD be used as a maintenance supplement. It takes several days of a regular dose before its calming benefits fully kick in. If a traveler has not used it before, he or she might start a daily routine well before the trip. Once a baseline level has been established, an extra dose can then help to calm the traveler just before the flight.

Can CBD be Carried on a Plane?

Since CBD is derived from cannabis plants, there can be some confusion about its legality. A trip protection policy may not help a traveler is that person is removed from a flight for carrying an illegal substance. It is important to know the origin of CBD products when traveling with them. CBD that is derived from marijuana is considered an illegal substance by the federal government because of its higher concentration of THC. CBD that is derived from hemp, with a lower THC level, is legal to carry and use. The wise traveler may want to bring the original packaging or documentation that shows the CBD is from a legal source, with a THC level of less than 0.3%, or simply not bring any CBD oil with them during travels to avoid any potential issues.

CBD has been growing in popularity as more people encounter its benefits for dealing with chronic pain, inflammation and anxiety. It is thought to give its users a sense of general well-being and peace of mind. For the anxious traveler, this calming substance may make getting to a new destination a little bit easier.