Anxiety is a common mental health disorder that can affect anyone of any age, race, or socioeconomic background. A study found that about 18.1% of American adults are diagnosed with anxiety each year.
It’s important to know the state of research on medical cannabis for anxiety because it may be an option for some people. Medical marijuana has been shown to have beneficial effects for people living with anxiety in clinical studies, but it is not an FDA-approved treatment for this condition. Furthermore, you may need a medical marijuana card in NJ, among other many states, to use marijuana.
The following are some questions you might have about medical cannabis and its use in treating your anxiety disorder:
What is Medical Marijuana?
Medical cannabis is a product made from the Cannabis plant intended for use as a therapeutic agent or alleviates symptoms. The plant contains over 500 chemical compounds, and more than 100 of those compounds are cannabinoids.
Medical marijuana in the US is a term used concerning the use of the Cannabis plant as a physician-recommended herbal therapy and synthetic cannabinoids or specific preparations that are not available by prescription. Due to this status, it is currently in a grey area, although hemp oil products are legal to buy in many countries.
Cannabinoids act on receptors in the brain and other parts of the body, called cannabinoid receptors. Whenever something activates these receptors, these specific substances will trigger an effect. As a result, cannabidiols help brings a state of balance to the body.
Can Medical Cannabis Help Treat Anxiety Disorders?
Marijuana, or cannabis, contains several active compounds, one of them being THC. THC is what causes the high feeling that marijuana induces. Some research reports suggest that marijuana can have a positive effect on anxiety disorders.
The two major cannabinoids are THC and CBD. The former is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, while the latter does not have any psychotropic effects. CBD has been studied extensively for its potential therapeutic benefits, which include relieving symptoms of anxiety disorders.
Some people use cannabis to relieve their symptoms of anxiety disorders by smoking marijuana or consuming it in edible form. This is because some research reports suggest that marijuana can positively affect anxiety disorders by activating the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is located in your brain and helps regulate mood.
Medical cannabis is being looked at as a way to treat anxiety disorders. It was discovered that the psychotropic ingredient of marijuana is very close in molecular structure to anandamide which is a natural neurotransmitter in the brain. It is responsible for regulating anxiety, fears, memory, pleasure, and pain.
The CBD (cannabidiol) in cannabis has connections to the brain, triggering feelings of relaxation, reduced stress, and overall peacefulness. It may help people who experience chronic anxiety, headaches, sleep issues, or even PTSD. A review by The American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics found that CBD has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders, and it should be studied in the short and long term in relevant clinical populations.
What are the potential benefits and risks of using medical marijuana for treating anxiety disorder?
Potential benefits:
Many people who use medical cannabis say that it reduces their anxiety disorder. It can also be used with other treatments to reduce the side effects of other drugs and increase these treatments’ effectiveness. Medical marijuana can also help people in drug or alcohol abuse who are trying to quit.
Potential risks:
The effects of medical cannabis vary from person to person. It can trigger different side effects, such as sleepiness, stomach upset, low blood pressure, difficulty concentrating, paranoia, and increased heart rate. The result is also dependent on how it is taken. Smoking causes more rapid effects but might not be tolerated by some users because it has an unpleasant taste, smell, or irritates the lungs.
