Do CBD Gummies for Flight Anxiety Really Work?
CBD products have been increasing in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. CBD may help with a number of issues such as chronic pain and lack of quality sleep.
Some CBD users have raved that CBD has helped ease their anxiety. If you are reading this article, you may be asking yourself this question: do CBD-infused gummies really work to ease fear of air travel?
Yes, they may help calm your fear and stress related to air travel. Studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), the primary cannabinoid in marijuana, may have anxiolytic properties (1). More research is needed to determine the efficacy of CBD in treating fear of flying, but many individuals have reported success with using CBD-infused gummies for this purpose.
This article will help you understand what CBD-infused gummies are and how they work to manage flight induced anxiety.
What are CBD gummies?
One way to consume CBD is by eating CBD-infused gummies, which are like regular candy gummies except they contain CBD oil. Many people use gummies to manage travel related stress.
CBD-infused gummies come in different formulations:
- Full-Spectrum CBD – contains all the compounds of hemp plants, including THC, terpenes, and flavonoids.
- Broad Spectrum CBD – does not contain THC, but other compounds like flavonoids and terpenes are present.
- Isolate CBD – This is the purest form of CBD, meaning that terpenes, flavonoids, THC, and other components are not present.
Although CBD can be extracted from both hemp and cannabis types of marijuana, only CBD extracted from hemp is legal at the federal level in the U.S. This is because unlike cannabis, hemp contains a very small 0.3 percent or less of THC. Federal law prohibits CBD oil and products containing more that 0.3 percent THC.
How much CBD should I take for flight anxiety?
The amount of CBD needed will vary from person to person. You should start with a low dose gummy and increase gradually over several days. For example, to begin with a smaller dose, you may take a smaller dose by cutting a 50-mg. gummy into halves or fourths.
For most people,calmness associated with taking CBD can be achieved with doses ranging between 10-30 mg. daily. Some individuals may require larger doses (up to 50 – 100mg) in order to feel a calm state prior to flying.
Benefits of Using CBD Infused Gummies for Flight Anxiety
Helps promote calm and alleviate anxiety
By interacting with your endocannabinoid system, CBD can help relax the stress response region of your brain. In turn, you may be more patient and at ease when dealing with anxiety-inducing activities at the airport like a rerouted flight or an emergency when flying.
Pain relief during flights
Pain of any kind can worsen anxiety. Gummies help you manage inflammation and pain that would otherwise make your travel challenging and unpleasant.
Traveling for many hours and sleeping on a plane or on uncomfortable mattresses can lead to body aches and pains. If this is true for you, gummies may help you manage the achiness.
In addition to the gummies, you can use CBD cream topically to target areas of muscle or joint pain, making your travel experience more comfortable.
Ease jet lag
Another benefit of CBD-infused gummies is that they may help ease jet lag.
Stress and anxiety over traveling may induce insomnia. As the CBD in the gummies provide calming effects, you may find it easier to go to sleep and stay asleep. This, in turn, helps ward off jet lag.
Other benefits of using CBD to ease your fear of flying include:
- Easy accessibility. CBD products are easy to access online and at over-the-counter CBD pharmacies.
- CBD oil may help with dry skin when traveling.
- CBD pain cream can help soothe cramped, aching muscles that can occur when sitting for long periods.
Safety and effectiveness
Gummies (and other CBD items) are safe and may offer effective alternatives to prescription medications for anxiety and pain relief. A side effect of many anxiety and pain medications is that they can become addictive. CBD is not addictive, even after prolonged use.
Does CBD calm anxiety immediately?
Some people find relief from their symptoms in a short amount of time, but in most cases it may take several days or more of daily doses for the effects of CBD to be felt. The degree of calm one experiences can vary, depending on the individual and their own tolerance levels. By taking a daily gummy for several days well in advance of your trip, you will know how your body reacts and can determine how many gummies will be enough to manage travel anxiety.
It’s important to note that CBD is not a cure for anxiety but rather a way to manage the symptoms associated with it.
If you are looking for immediate calmness, there are other methods that may be more effective in the short term such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques, or talking through your worries with a therapist or support group. Consult with a medical professional before incorporating CBD into your anxiety management plan.
Ultimately, CBD may provide calm for some people, but remember to take time for yourself and explore all the options available for managing anxiety. With patience and dedication, you may be able to find calmness in many different ways.
What should I know before taking CBD Gummies for flight anxiety?
While the gummies can help manage travel anxiety, there are a few caveats you should know ahead of your trip.
Unclear rules about carrying CBD during a flight
Although CBD is easily accessible in the US, the legalities around CBD are still murky and vary from state to state. The laws regarding CBD are even more varied from country to country.
Can you take CBD edibles on an airplane?
While the legal status of CBD and other forms of cannabis can vary widely, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows travelers to bring certain forms of hemp-derived CBD products on the plane with them in their carry-on luggage. However, it is your responsibility to confirm that your CBD products meet TSA guidelines before attempting to travel with them; failure to do so could result in confiscation or other legal consequences. Furthermore, as some states have laws prohibiting the sale and/or possession of hemp-derived CBD, travelers should be aware that local laws may affect their ability to bring such items through airport security.
Will TSA take my CBD gummies?
TSA rules must be considered if you plan to carry gummies on a plane. According to TSA’s “What Can I Bring” website, products containing hemp-derived CBD that contain less than 0.3 percent THC are generally permissible in carry on and checked baggage.
Therefore, be sure your gummies contain no more than 0.3 percent THC and that all ingredients meet federal and TSA travel requirements. If you are bringing CBD tinctures and creams with you, they should be less than 3 ounces in volume.
With that said, possession of marijuana and certain cannabis products remains illegal under federal law even though some states allow for recreational use. TSA officers may confiscate your items even if they merely suspect a violation of federal law. The TSA will refer all suspected violations of law to the police.
If traveling abroad, you should research CBD laws in each country before you fly.
For example, many countries in Europe like Iceland, Montenegro, and Monaco do not consider CBD legal. In addition, CBD is illegal in most Asian countries, like Cambodia and Vietnam. And while a few countries in South Africa consider CBD legal, most other African countries do not.
Why you shouldn’t take them for the first time on your flight
Taking CBD for the first time on your flight is not advisable. This is because different people react to CBD differently. On long flights especially, it can be difficult to gauge how one might react if they take it for the first time in an enclosed space with few resources to manage any potential side effects or complications.
May induce anxiety
While CBD is known to provide calming effects, THC may induce anxiety or panic attacks in certain people. This means that some people may negatively react to full-spectrum CBD gummies, as they contain both THC and CBD. A broad spectrum CBD might be a better choice.
May cause drowsiness
CBD may cause drowsiness and fatigue, which could compromise safety when traveling at high altitudes with limited access to assistance.
May react adversely with other medications
CBD may interact with other medications that you may be taking. Check with your doctor before using CBD if you are taking any other medications, as it could interfere with these medications and cause adverse effects.
When Should I Use CBD Gummies for Flight Anxiety?
Days before a flight
Take daily doses at least a few days before you travel. This will help you determine how your body reacts to taking CBD oil or CBD-infused gummies as well as the most effective dose to address anxiety and pain.
During your flight
Once you know the correct dose and how your body responds, taking a gummy before your flight can help you manage your fear of flying and support a relaxing experience. You can take one right before you go through airport security to give it ample time to work.
After a flight
Jet lag is not uncommon when traveling, especially if you are on a plane for many hours. For this reason, taking a gummy after your flight can help promote promote calm, rest, and restorative sleep. This can help ease jet lag.
Tips To Remember When Carrying CBD Gummies for Flight Anxiety
- Research the cannabis state laws of the particular state you are traveling to. Additionally, find out the legalities surrounding CBD products in different countries beforehand.
- Speak to your doctor before taking gummies, especially if you are on any medications.
- Ensure your gummies contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This is the legal limit in the U.S.
- THC may appear on drug tests. Avoid full spectrum gummies if passing a drug test is a concern for you. Instead, use gummies containing broad spectrum CBD.
- Do not use gummies for the first time during your flight. Although they are safe and are not known to present major negative side effects, it is always best to use them several times before your flight so you know the effects beforehand.
- Do not attempt to hide your gummies or any CBD product from TSA officers. Instead, be upfront about them. If you have a medical marijuana license, bring it with you.
- If you want to bring gummies containing delta 8, you should check with the airline you are using before traveling with them.Some airlines do not allow passengers to transport any form of gummies containing delta 8 or delta 9 on their aircraft. If a passenger is found to have them in their luggage or on their person during travel, airline personnel will confiscate them and may issue legal consequences.
- Flight delays and cancellations are common and almost unavoidable. Leave adequate time in your itinerary for the unexpected to help minimize anxiety.
Editor’s note:
We sell CBD products, but our goal is to provide you with the best information possible to help you learn about CBD and make informed decisions when choosing products.
At Innovative Extracts, we understand that providing the highest quality products requires a unique set of skills and knowledge. Our founders have worked hard to build a team of experts who bring innovative solutions and processes to the table. We strive for excellence in all aspects of production from seed selection to finished product packaging. This allows us to ensure that each customer receives not only the best possible experience with our products but also peace of mind in knowing that their purchase is backed by professionals passionate about delivering safe, effective, and reliable products.
Works cited
1. Shannon, Scott et al. “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.” The Permanente journal vol. 23 (2019): 18-041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041
2.de Mello Schier, et al. “Antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects of cannabidiol: a chemical compound of Cannabis sativa.” CNS & neurological disorders drug targets vol. 13,6 (2014): 953-60. doi: 10.2174/1871527313666140612114838
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