Can Medical Marijuana Be Used To Treat Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common illnesses concerning mental health in the United States. Research shows that over 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety (such as panic attacks), which is nearly 20% of the population. Sadly, only 36% of Americans who suffer from anxiety receive therapy and treatment for it.
If you are looking for treatment for your anxiety, you may be concerned about taking medication, because of the long-term side effects of medicine. There are natural ways to treat anxiety without the use of prescription drugs. Here is more information about the use of medical marijuana to treat anxiety.
What Is Anxiety? What Are the Symptoms?
It is hard for some people to understand anxiety disorder, because everyone gets anxious from time to time. However, anxiety disorders are not passing worries that everyone experiences occasionally. There are anxiety symptoms that can be quite severe, and impacts the daily life of millions of people.
Anxiety symptoms can include feelings of restlessness, inability to sleep, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, racing heart and difficulty breathing, irritability, and a constant state of panic or worry. You can also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, sore muscles, shaking or trembling, and feelings of loss of control. Anxiety can also aggravate other chronic diseases, such as asthma and gastrointestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.
Medical Marijuana
Medical Marijuana, also called medical cannabis, has been used by some indigenous cultures for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses. There are several different forms of medical cannabis. Some medical cannabis products use the THC in the plant, while other products use CBD.
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It is often referred to as the hallucinogenic compound in marijuana, but it can also bind to pleasure centers in the brain and increase their ability to release chemicals in the brain for pleasure and relaxation, simulating the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a term that has recently become more well known for its short term ability to reduce anxiety . This chemical ultimately works to calm your senses. It also works to relieve pain and reduce joint inflammation as well. Both CBD and THC can be used in different ways. They can be smoked, but you can also find them in the form of drops, patches, creams, edibles and in aromatherapies.
How Medical Marijuana Helps Anxiety
When people think of marijuana, they may focus on the adverse effects and not think about the benefits of medical cannabis for many different diseases of the body. There are many benefits for medical marijuana and anxiety disorders. First, medical marijuana can work to control breathing and regulate your rapid heart rate. It can also help calm your racing thoughts. Cannabis for anxiety is also helpful for relieving digestive symptoms of anxiety, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Several forms of anxiety can be helped with medical cannabis. Cannabis to treat social anxiety disorder has been effective in minimizing the overwhelming symptoms for people who have trouble going out socially.
Cannabis is also effective for people who have post traumatic stress disorder. It works to lower the heart rate and breaths of people suffering from flashbacks that are common with PTSD. Post traumatic stress disorder cannabis treatment may also help with sleeplessness, irritability and nightmares. In short, marijuana and anxiety may be a great combination to have around.
Does Marijuana Help with Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks occur when someone experiences an intense fear reaction without any real cause. The person experiencing this type of attack will feel anxious, nervous, tense, shaky, lightheaded, dizzy, weak, hot flashes, sweating, palpitations, chest pains, numbness, tingling sensations, choking sensation, feeling faint, etc. These types of reactions usually last less than 10 minutes. If left untreated, these episodes could lead to full-blown panic attacks.
Marijuana advocates claim that cannabis can help combat anxiety and stress. However, others contend it may lead to psychosis or panic attacks at high doses. This is why a medical marijuana doctor should be consulted before taking the drug in order for you get prescribed with an appropriate dosage.
Studies such as the research done by Vanderbilt University, show that there is great potential for anxiety and panic disorders to be treated by medical marijuana.
So, when you dose your herb properly according to the recommendation of a doctor — particularly if using high CBD and low THC strains for panic disorder treatment – it can be significantly safer than traditional medications that doctors commonly prescribe.
How Does CBD Help With Anxiety? What About Using THC for Anxiety?
Several research studies have found that CBD products help patients with generalized anxiety disorder. The compound is shown to reduce the signs of stress, such as rapid heart rate and breathing. Cannabidiol and social anxiety disorder seems to help people manage their stress levels more effectively so they can leave their homes. CBD also helps with post traumatic stress disorder by reducing levels of physical stress, and helping sufferers sleep more easily.
Cannabidiol for anxiety can come in different forms. You may want to vape using a special anxiety pen with CBD oil. Cannabidiol and anxiety treatment may also be helpful in drops under the tongue, in teas, or as an edible. Anxiety treatment with CBD may allow patients with anxiety to anticipate and manage their stress levels.
There is also some research to suggest that patients have good results if they blend high THC compounds of cannabis compounds with CBD products as well. You will want to ask for some advice from a practitioner who is experienced in the treatment of anxiety with medical cannabis. At Elite Alternative Medicine, we have a professional staff ready to answer any questions you may have. Contact us for a free consultation and learn more today.