Anxiety is one of the common disorders affecting people from all walks of life. Minimal anxiety is normal, especially during threatening or uncomfortable situations. However, if your fear becomes challenging to control or manage, you should seek professional help. There are various treatments and therapies available for those suffering from chronic cases of anxiety and panic disorders. However, medications do not always work for everyone. They also have an extensive list of adverse effects and counteractions, making them unsuitable for different patient groups.
Cannabis has become more acceptable in many places, especially those where both medical and recreational use is legal. According to studies, active cannabinoids such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) have potential therapeutic benefits. They can benefit different patients, including those suffering from anxiety and panic disorders.
Can cannabis treat anxiety?
Using cannabis for medical benefits is not a new practice. More places continue to amend their marijuana laws to accommodate the medical and recreational use of cannabis. This is mostly because studies with cannabis show great promise in treating a myriad of ailments. Concerning anxiety, case studies indicate that cannabinoids like CBD can relieve the symptoms that characterize the condition.
There are more than 400 active compounds in cannabis with about 100 cannabinoids. THC and CBD are the most popular cannabinoids, which also have more research. THC is the primary euphoric cannabinoid that causes the characteristic of marijuana high. Conversely, CBD is non-psychoactive, so it won’t get you high. Experts also credit CBD for most of the health and fitness benefits of cannabis.
When you consume cannabis products such as CBD, it influences the human endocannabinoid system (ECS) by attaching to CB-1 and CB-2 receptors. This system is an extensive network of neurons, transmitters, and body chemicals responsible for regulating various functions, including sleep, mood, appetite, immune responses, and metabolism, among others. Since CBD influences the ECS, it can provide temporary relief for different medical conditions. However, regarding anxiety, cannabis us helpful in the following ways:
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1. Calming down nerves and sore muscles
Taking cannabis can help to calm down your excited nerves and relax your mind and body. As a nerve tonic, cannabis can soothe nerve and muscle excitement, soreness or spasms, which are common in patients suffering from SAD (social anxiety disorder) and GAD (general anxiety disorder). Tests with CBD indicate that cannabis can calm down the brain and improve focus, helping to tame nervousness, especially SAD groups. Those new to CBD can shop at weedsmart for high-quality CBD products at affordable prices.
2. Elevating your moods
The active cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can help to improve your moods and kick out negative emotions. Upping your intake of CBD also elevates the natural levels of anandamide, a neurotransmitter that results in joy and better moods. If your anxiety is causing negative emotions or leading to depression, cannabis can help you restore excitement. Better moods also reduce stress, paranoia, and panic. You can find high-quality mood-elevating cannabis strains from get kush or experiment with concentrates, CBD vape juice, and edibles.
3. Improving mental health
Cannabinoids offer antioxidant and tumor-fighting properties. CBD, in particular, can eliminate free radicals from your system and fight brain tumors. It is a healthy macronutrient that enriches the brain and body. Managing anxiety is more comfortable with a healthy brain and mind. Cannabis can also help in treating mental health disorders such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression, mood swings, and irritation as well as migraines.
4. Regulating homeostasis
Homeostasis or internal balance plays a crucial role, especially in threatening and uncomfortable situations. Cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can help regulate homeostasis and restore balance even during intimidating circumstances. This is because they calm down your system, soothe all kinds of pain, inflammation, and exhaustion. The relaxing effects of CBD and THC can benefit patients of GAD, SAD, PTSD, and other panic disorders.
5. Treating anxiety symptoms and side effects
Anxiety can manifest in a litany of undesirable symptoms, including tense muscles, fatigue, restlessness, headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, panic and sleep, and appetite issues, among others. Cannabis can treat these symptoms, helping you experience less anxiety. It also prevents the condition from getting worse with time. However, dealing with anxiety symptoms is overwhelming for chronic cases, so it is recommendable to pair cannabis with other medical therapies.
How to use cannabis for anxiety
Although there is no sufficient information to demonstrate how cannabis as a plant treats anxiety, studies with CBD show great promise. As such, it is recommendable to use CBD-rich cannabis products. CBD is a medicinal compound that can deliver various benefits. It is legal in many places as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC (in the US). It also comes in multiple forms, including CBD oil and tinctures, concentrates, isolates, topical balms, edibles, and infused food and beverages, among others. This provides many ways to take your daily dose of CBD.
For those suffering from anxiety, vaping, oral tinctures and edibles offer the best modes of delivery. Vaping is very potent and delivers a near-instant effect perfect for those seeking instant relief. You can vape cannabis or CBD just before your presentation begins. Ingesting CBD has a slower offset, but you will enjoy the effects much longer. It is ideal if you have to endure several hours of nerve-wracking situations. Oral tinctures, on the other hand, are slower than vapes but faster than edibles.
It is recommendable to follow your doctor’s recommendation when using cannabis for medical reasons. People react differently to cannabis products such as CBD. Factors such as body size, age, medical history, dose and mode of delivery all influence how effectively cannabis will relieve your symptoms. A general rule of thumb is to start with lower doses and monitor your usage to determine if it is working.
Conclusion
Caution is essential when using cannabis to treat specific medical conditions like anxiety. THC-rich cannabis is habit-forming and can lead to abuse without proper monitoring. It is recommendable to choose CBD dominant options unless your doctor suggests THC. It is also essential to choose high-quality cannabis products from reputable retailers in your area. When using cannabis for anxiety, consider it a complementary treatment that supports other medications and therapy. You should also root out the leading cause of your anxiety, especially since cannabis products only provide temporary relief.