Marijuana and anxiety have a complicated relationship. A modest amount of cannabis may be all that is needed for some people to experience immediate relief from worry, fear, tension, and other anxiety-related symptoms. On the other side, marijuana use might make some people more anxious and paranoid.
The THC level of a strain is a factor in this typical reaction. However, many individuals are unaware that cannabis has numerous strains with very little to no THC. For those who struggle with anxiety, high-CBD strains are revolutionizing the marijuana market. However, this does not imply that THC-rich cannabis strains cannot alleviate anxiety-related problems.
What is Anxiety?
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive and unrealistic worry about everyday tasks or events, or maybe specific to certain objects or rituals.” Additionally, other circumstances, such as crowded places, loneliness, or unceasing concern, can set off a devastating anxiety attack.
Those who experience anxiety must bear a great load. Approximately 20% of the population in the US struggles with anxiety problems. For a very long time, benzodiazepines were the main type of medicine used to treat anxiety. Nowadays, individuals are switching from the usage of benzodiazepines to other alternatives like marijuana because of the addictive nature of these drugs, which offers serious risks to patients.
Anxiety symptoms include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Breathing difficulty
- Rapid heartbeats
- Nausea
- Panic attacks
- Fear
Struggles of Anxiety
It can be quite difficult to overcome an anxiety problem, regardless of whether you only sometimes experience anxiety or have been dealing with it for a long time. No matter how severe your anxiety is, an anxiety condition can make even the smallest chores seem overwhelming.
The challenge of locating the best anxiety treatment may seem insurmountable to some people. A treatment that is effective for one person may not be for another because each person’s brain chemistry is different and they all respond to anxiety medications differently. Fortunately, evidence from studies on medical marijuana’s advantages has revealed that it can be a useful natural alternative to pharmaceutical medication.
How Is Medical Marijuana Beneficial for Anxiety?
Without the typical side effects of prescription drugs, marijuana can serve as a natural alternative to anxiety meds. It is a successful treatment for problems linked to anxiety. Additionally, a cannabis ingredient known as CBD has demonstrated significant advantages for those with anxiety problems. High levels of CBD found in marijuana are used to treat people with pain, spasms, and other problems. Additionally, marijuana has several therapeutic benefits.
Marijuana can also help with the following signs and symptoms of anxiety to reduce stress-related feelings:
Insomnia: Certain strains of marijuana offer calming, sleep-inducing qualities that may improve your sleep cycle.
Fatigue: Numerous cannabis strains have energizing properties that combat fatigue.
Concentration difficulties: Some strains and combinations can also aid in focusing and improving one’s ability to handle problems.
The Legality of Marijuana for Anxiety
The use of medical marijuana to treat an identified anxiety illness is now permitted in several states. The states of Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and New Jersey have approved this use. Puerto Rico likewise permits the use of medical marijuana to treat anxiety. Some other states, including California and Missouri, provide doctors the freedom to recommend medical marijuana treatment.
Even though certain states have legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes, federal law still considers any product with more than 0.3% THC to be illegal.
How Your Health Can Benefit By Using Cannabis?
Using CBD and medical cannabis to treat anxiety has several potential advantages. The finest treatment options for various types of anxiety are provided by CBD products because it is the main cannabinoid when it comes to lowering anxiety.
For Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
In animal studies, CBD has been proven to lower stress levels and other anxiety-related symptoms, which is encouraging for people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
According to studies, CBD is especially effective at reducing the negative psychological impacts of fear. This might lessen some of the ongoing anxiety brought on by GAD. To make firm conclusions about how cannabis and CBD can benefit people with GAD, more research is needed.
For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Studies examining CBD’s effects on people and animals indicate that the cannabinoid may be useful in treating diseases linked to trauma, such as PTSD. CBD aids in reducing the consequences and reactions to traumatic memories.
Using CBD has fewer adverse effects than traditional methods of treating PTSD and comparable conditions. Evidence suggests that CBD may offer an alternative to traditional therapy treatments for PTSD because of its beneficial impact on traumatic memories.
According to a recent study, CBD, the main non-psychoactive component of cannabis, may also be able to treat insomnia brought on by anxiety and trauma-related problems.
Conclusion
Similar to other mental diseases, anxiety sufferers are frequently written off as being overly sensitive or analytical. It’s crucial to keep in mind that people still need to earn a livelihood by working, going to school, and taking care of their homes. Whatever the circumstance, marijuana’s advantages can significantly enhance a person’s life and provide them with much-needed serenity.