How Medical Marijuana Helps Relieving Anxiety Effects?
Several studies have pointed towards the benefits of using Medical Marijuana or more specifically cannabidiol or as is more known CBD. CBD induces a lucid and relaxing feeling without psychoactive effects.
Which makes this cannabinoid a more viable option than THC for many people with anxiety.
However, even CBD can carry certain caveats. If you are using blood thinners, the cannabidiol components may pose an interaction threat. CBD can also interact with other drugs such as those used to treat seizures, thyroid conditions, and heart conditions.
Studies are in the early stages as most of them has been in small groups in specific context treating one type of anxiety disorder. That’s why having an abroad opinion can not be said truthfully. Yet, more popularization has shown that CBD it’s getting more and more thought of as an important alternative in near future.
What is Anxiety?
A feeling of restlessness, worry and fear, anxiety can negatively affect a person’s quality of life. This disorder can occur at any time, and ranges from mild to severe. Although it does not have a single cause, researchers believe that genetics and environmental factors also play a role.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is one of the most common forms of this illness, affects an estimated 6.8 million adults in the United States alone.
Studies on Cannabinoids and Anxiety
According to CBD has effects to mitigate Social Anxiety Disorder in individuals. That apparently has to be with the effects that CBD causes to the parahippocampal gyrus and hippocampus.
The anxiolytic action of CBD it can be mediated by 5-HT1A receptors, as it displaces the agonist [3H]8-OHDPAT from the cloned human 5-HT1A receptor in a concentration-dependent manner and exerts an effect as an agonist at the human 5-HT1A receptor in signal-transduction studies.
Another study on the young population from 12 to 21 years with DSM-5 anxiety disorder has shown how using CBD can lead to up to 51% improvements on some cases. These patients were were given a single daily CBD pill for 12 weeks and reported their symptoms fell by an average of 43%.
The more promising fact about this study is that these patients did not have clinical improvement with cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or antidepressant medication. disorder (PTSD). These mark possible breakthroughs of untreatable or complicated mental health afflictions with the use of Medical Marijuana.
Types of Anxiety
When we talk about anxiety, most people think of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the most common form of anxiety. GAD symptoms include irritability, chronic apprehension, and a phobic-like avoidance of situations that could trigger a panic attack.
However, cannabis use has been shown in some studies to be a more specific treatment for different types of anxiety, such as PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Syndrom Disorder)
- OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Syndrom Disorder)
There is evidence that cannabis has an effect on emotional regulation and can be used to help mediate symptoms for those suffering from post-traumatic stress
Interesting fact: PTSD is the only medical condition that qualifies patients in every state with an operational medical cannabis program.
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Cutting-edge research published in 2021 demonstrates that cannabis may be beneficial in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In one study, marijuana inhalation reduced symptoms of compulsions and anxiety in most patients.
However, the benefits of cannabis on OCD were short-term and with high levels of CBD with a notable absence of THC. Another study conducted in 2020 confirmed the potential benefit of cannabis on OCD.
Panic Disorder
There is limited research on cannabis and panic disorder. However, a clinical trial is underway to learn about the effects of CBD oil on people experiencing panic attacks.
The trial is using 90 participants at the University of Texas at Austin. The results of the study could shed light on whether CBD oil is effective in preventing and treating panic attacks.
Social anxiety disorder
People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) can also experience relief through cannabis medicine. In a clinical study, CBD was found to help reduce anxiety in individuals who had to speak in public.
Although studies conducted specifically on social anxiety disorder are scarce, this condition is included in the qualifying conditions of medical marijuana programs in many states
Cannabis consumption methods
Topical marijuana can be a good starting point if you are new to using the plant. People tend to have fewer adverse reactions to topicals than to any other method of ingestion.
The next best method of consumption may be sublingual in the form of carefully measured tinctures. A drop or two of cannabis tincture under the tongue offers significant anxiety relief for many users.
Smoking cannabis is another possible ingestion method for anxiety, as the effects tend to wear off within a few hours. So if you have a negative experience with THC, the side effect will wear off pretty quickly.
Perhaps the least recommended method of cannabis use for people with anxiety is edibles. Cannabis-infused foods like brownies and other baked goods are surprisingly potent. The effects of edibles can last all day (or longer). Additionally, THC edibles are notorious for being difficult to dose and especially problematic for those with anxiety due to their unpredictable effects.
Dosage
The most important point regarding dosage is to avoid cannabis products that contain THC. CBD is necessary to temper the often stimulating effects of THC, which can actually trigger anxiety.
Microdosing, or the use of very small amounts of cannabis, is a useful dosing strategy. Starting with extremely low concentrations of THC in equally small amounts can help cannabis work effectively for anxiety.
Specific amounts (usually measured in milligrams) should be determined in conjunction with your doctor. A medical marijuana card and accompanying prescription are the best ways to treat anxiety while reducing the risk of unwanted side effects
Even with careful dosing, there are still risks associated with using marijuana to treat anxiety disorders. The risks are especially high for those under the age of 25 and those with little or no experience with cannabis.
One possibility is experiencing a “bad trip,” but you can reduce this risk by forgoing marijuana edibles in favor of topicals, or by using CBD in isolation
Please note that this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with your doctor. Especially considering the diferences between each type of anxiety disorder that may carry an entirely different treatment.
Consulting a doctor regards the use of Medical Marijuana to treat Anxiety may be one of the qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card in Maryland. If you are interested in learning more, you can schedule an telecall or fill an New Patient Registration Form today.
At Maryland GreenScript Cannabis, the patient’s needs come first. We are one of the only Medical Cannabis Certification Providers in Maryland that comes to you! Get your MMCC card in as little as a few weeks.
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