CBD and Your Medications: Why “Natural” Can Still Disrupt Your Anxiety
- Joannie Hambel
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 30
If you haven’t read the first two posts in this series, start there:
Because this is where things often get missed.
A lot of people get confused
By the time patients come to see me, many have already made a change.
They’ve reduced THC, or stopped it completely, or switched to CBD.
They’ve been told it’s natural, safer, and helpful for anxiety.
And sometimes, it does feel that way at first.
But then something shifts.
They start feeling more anxious, more on edge, or just off in a way they can’t explain.
And they don’t connect it to CBD.
Quick recap: how your body actually responds to things
Your body is constantly sending and receiving signals to stay in balance.
It does this using tiny structures on your cells called receptors.
You can think of receptors as little locks, and substances like medications, hormones, or CBD are the keys.
When something attaches, it sends a message that changes how your body feels.
What CBD is also doing behind the scenes
CBD affects your liver, which is responsible for breaking down medications.
It slows down the system your body uses to process many psychiatric medications.
This includes medications like:
Sertraline
Escitalopram
Citalopram
Fluoxetine
Paroxetine
Venlafaxine
Duloxetine
Amitriptyline
Clomipramine
and many more...
What happens when that system slows down
Medications can build up in your system.
This can lead to:
stronger side effects
feeling overstimulated or overly tired
worsening anxiety
Why anxiety can feel worse instead of better
Even though CBD may feel calming, the combination with medications can feel dysregulating.
What you can do next
Pay attention to your patterns.
Work with me
If this resonates, reach out to schedule a consultation. Let's work on finding and supporting the root cause of your anxiety so that you don't have to mask it any longer.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical or psychiatric care. Individual needs vary. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment.
