Valentine’s Day: Can CBD help with first-date nerves and anxiety?

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love in all its forms. But what happens if you are heading out on your first date and struggling with anxiety?

There is nothing more nerve-wracking than a first date. It doesn’t matter if it’s a blind date, a. Tinder match or a set-up, it is enough to cause anxiety.

We explore if CBD could help with the anxiety caused by a first dates, or even that first kiss –  and how to talk to your partner about it.

First date anxiety

If you are heading out for the first date, then CBD may help with those pre-date nerves?

CBD is thought to work by influencing the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Our bodies have several receptors which can interact with cannabinoids. CBD interacts with the receptors in the brain potentially sending signals to serotonin, although there is still a lot of research needed to understand how this happens. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for your mental health and lower levels are associated with anxiety.

A study examined the effect of CBD on patients with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). It found that it may help to reduce anxiety caused by being in social situations. This may now apply to being in crowded places post-lockdown or others not wearing masks.

Participants in this study were given 400 mg of CBD or a placebo and those in the group given the CBD recorded lower levels of anxiety.

First kiss

CBD has been increasingly added to skincare for a number of different reasons, including its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is thought to be great for dehydrated skin as it may help the skin to retain moisture.

Our skin can be affected by the cold weather, central heating and also a lack of sunlight. These can lead to chapped lips or conditions such as angular cheilitis or eczema. CBD may be able to help and is available in many skincare products including lip balm.

In a recent study, 11 participants applied a CBD and 0.2 per cent retinol topical to their entire face once a day for 42 days. Each of the participants had skin imperfections such as visible pores, dehydration, roughness or wrinkles.

All participants in the study recorded an improvement, with 90 per cent willing to recommend the product to others. Those with visible pores and dehydration showed the greatest improvement.

What’s the best CBD to take on a date?

There are a lot of different ways to take CBD, from vaping to oils or even toothpicks.

While it might be a bit awkward to take a dose of CBD oil at the dinner table, you never know, it may make for an interesting conversation. It is worth thinking about how fast-acting you would like your CBD to be.

If you struggle with panic attacks then you may need a faster acting CBD dose, rather than a gradual release. Vaping may help although in most places you will have to go outside to do it.

Anxiety attacks can happen really quickly with no warning. Some of the early signs of a panic attack include sweating, shaking, increasing sense of danger or fear and a pounding heart rate. If this happens, leaving the situation which is causing panic can help such as going outside for air.

CBD is absorbed through the tissue in the lungs and into the bloodstream.

If you would prefer a slow release of CBD that is gradually absorbed into your bloodstream keeping your anxiety at bay for longer periods of time, then patches might be worth considering.

They can be applied to any place in the body so no one needs to know that you are taking CBD. It is absorbed through the skin and can be left on for up to two days depending on the brand.

Muscle pains and aches

Getting up and out can be really difficult if you are struggling with pain.

CBD is thought to have strong anti-inflammatory properties that may help with pain from conditions such as arthritis.

It may work by inhibiting an eicosanoid enzyme in our bodies called COX2. In an animal study researchers discovered that CBD may protect against inflammation caused by multiple sclerosis. Another study examined the effects of CBD on joint inflammation. The researchers found that topical CBD gel reduced the joint swelling in animals with no side effects.

How do I tell my date about CBD?

It can be difficult to know how to talk about CBD.

Despite how mainstream it has become, there is still a lot of confusion around its use. A lot of the stigma can stem from its association with the cannabis plant and misconceptions that it can make you high.

Communication and education are key when speaking about CBD. Gently explaining the benefits of CBD, the ECS or its difference from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can go a long way in helping a date to understand. However, it may mean disclosing health information which may not be something you are comfortable with on a first date.

• Cannabis has “helped me beat cancer”
• How to incorporate CBD into your Valentine’s Day celebrations
• Cannabis and chronic pain – what the latest research says
• Wellness tips for lockdown 3
• Living with fibromyalgia and long covid – “My world has become so much smaller”