In the digital age, the number of patients suffering from anxiety has significantly increased. In a survey conducted by Science Alert in 2018, 40 percent of respondents agreed that they felt more anxious than a year ago.
Marijuana treatment for anxiety is getting popular among Americans. Many studies show that cannabinoids present in the marijuana plant can help boost mood, sleep, and other symptoms associated with anxiety disorders. In a cannabis legalized state like California, it’s very easy to access medical marijuana using your MMJ card Oxnard. In fact, medical users enjoy many benefits over recreational users, such as age relaxations, tax saving, permission to cultivate cannabis plants at home, etc.
Related- Why do You Need a Medical Cannabis Card in 2020?
Anxiety disorders are usually triggered by a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one, natural disaster, etc. Work stress, relationship problems, and financial problems can also lead to this mental health condition. Some recent studies have found that the COVID-19 pandemic has developed lasting symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, etc.
Chronic physical health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension, can contribute to anxiety. Some patients use alcohol or other drugs for managing anxiety disorders. In some cases, this can develop substance abuse, thus aggravating anxiety conditions.
Some medical researchers say that anxiety sometimes runs in families. So, if your parents have anxiety disorders, chances are more that you will experience this mental illness.
Medications are a commonly prescribed treatment for managing anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications work by correcting certain neurotransmitters and improving brain function. Common anti-anxiety medications are-
SSRIs are commonly prescribed by doctors for anxiety and OCD. These medications stop the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation. Examples of SSRIs are Zoloft, Luvox, Celexa, and Prozac.
Another class of antidepressants that are effective for fighting anxiety and depression. They are also prescribed for chronic pain management. SNRIs help in reducing the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Examples of SNRIs for reducing anxiety are Cymbalta and Effexor XR.
Benzodiazepines help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety symptoms including tense muscles. Patients usually take these medications for short-term benefits, such as fear of flying. Examples of benzodiazepines are Ativan, Xanax, Librium, and Valium.
Medical experts often prescribe TCAs for managing anxiety and depression over SSRIs because of fewer side-effects. These medications can help alleviate symptoms if other drugs don’t work. Examples of TCAs are Elavil, Tofranil, and Pamelor.
But, there are questions about the long-term effectiveness of medications for easing anxiety. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, benzodiazepines are unable to deliver the same therapeutic effects after 4-6 months of regular use. Additionally, anti-anxiety medications are associated with certain side-effects, such as blurry vision, headaches, nausea, etc.
There’s no secret that cannabis consumption can bring a smile on consumers’ faces and provide other benefits. Unlike anti-anxiety medications, marijuana treatment is safe. With many medical studies showing cannabis can be effective in managing anxiety, depression, stress, etc., more patients are turning to the herb.
In the marijuana plant, there exist more than 100 cannabinoids, the chemical compounds that bind to receptors in the brain to improve mood and ease other symptoms of anxiety and depression.
According to a study published in European Neuropsychopharmacology, the endocannabinoid system may play a key role in emotional processing. THC, a psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, can activate this system, thus providing positive effects on mental health.
When using high-THC marijuana for anxiety treatment, you should consider various things. Low doses of high-THC cannabis can help anxiety patients alleviate their symptoms while high doses may worsen it. So, make sure you pay close attention to how much you are consuming because it’s going to influence the kind of effects your body and mind receive.
Marijuana’s non-psychoactive compound CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are present in abundance in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system respectively.
How exactly CBD works with CB1 receptors is still unknown. However, it can change serotonin levels. Low serotonin levels is a sign of depression and in some cases, it may lead to anxiety.
According to a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, CBD can help reduce anxiety levels. In the study, participants were given 400 mg of CBD orally or a placebo.
The method of consumption makes a great difference when using cannabis for managing anxiety. Concentrates contain a higher percentage of THC than that of flowers. For instance, some cannabis oils could contain around 80 percent THC, which is too high for beginners.
Different cannabinoids provide different effects. However, combining the right levels of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids can provide stronger effects. The phenomenon is called the entourage effect.
Delta-9-THC is often used for managing extreme nausea and stimulating appetite, helping patients with HIV, or who are going through cancer chemotherapy. But, there are some side-effects associated with delta-9-THC. Taking too much delta-9-THC can trigger anxiety, dizziness, headaches, etc.
That’s the major reason more patients are turning to delta-8-THC—an analog of delta-9-THC. It’s approximately half as potent as delta-9-THC. The major difference between the two is the location of a bond between atoms. Delta-9 has a double bond on the carbon in the 9th position while delta-8 makes the double bond with carbon in the 8th position in the chain.
Many prefer mixing marijuana with other drugs aiming at getting better results. But, we don’t recommend it, because doing so can cause negative effects.
Depressants, such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, etc. inhibit the functioning of the central nervous system. They slow down the process of breathing and blood pressure. However, some depressants also accelerate the production of certain neurotransmitters, such as GABA, which are used for cell communication. Increased GABA levels can reduce brain function, thus causing drowsiness and improved sleep.
When you mix cannabis with depressants, it can cause the heart rate to decrease at a very low rate, thus inhibiting motor skills and causing severe health issues. Discuss your condition with a licensed doctor and seek professional help on how to use marijuana for managing anxiety.
It’s necessary to choose the right strain by checking levels of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids and terpenes. Here are some of the best marijuana strains for anxiety sufferers-
Although medications can help ease anxiety, they are not safe to use. Marijuana use provides a significant improvement in anxiety symptoms without causing any side-effects. CBD can help alter the serotonin levels by interacting with the CB1 receptors, thus reducing anxiety and depression.
Check the concentration of THC and CBD when buying cannabis strains for anxiety. There’s some evidence that taking high doses of high-THC marijuana can cause negative effects. Additionally, do comprehensive research on inhaling and ingesting cannabis to avoid the negative effects and receive maximum health benefits.
Talk to a licensed doctor to get your MMJ card Oxnard. Now, you can see a doctor online using telemedicine technology and receive your PDF MMJ letter in 10 minutes. Here’s the process-
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