Anxiety can make life absolutely miserable, often causing physical and psychological issues. Many people have been prescribed medications like Xanax and Valium for anxiety symptoms; however, these medications come with a host of unpleasant side effects. The alternative would be to look for medical marijuana doctors for cannabis recommendations.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most common illnesses in the world. It affects approximately 40% of people in a year, mostly women. It can be distressing and debilitating to deal with; even causing serious health problems. While no one is immune to it, there are ways to prevent it from taking hold.
It’s important to understand that anxiety is different from the “fear of anxiety.” While fear of anxiety can be prevalent in those living with anxiety, having anxiety should never be fear. Anxiety is something that can cause intense physical symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shaking, and numbness. Knowing how to deal with these symptoms will help you relieve your anxiety and get the relief you need.
Medical Marijuana And Anxiety Relief
Marijuana has multiple uses beyond simply getting you high. Many people use it to deal with anxiety symptoms because marijuana acts in many ways similar to benzodiazepines such as valium, which are used for treating anxiety symptoms.
A 2011 study from the University of Washington in Seattle performed brain scans of 24 chronic marijuana users, comparing them with 24 nonusers. The study found that when there was a high amount of THC in their bloodstream (meaning they were high), the chronic pot smokers had significantly less activity in the amygdala, which is the part of our brain that processes fear.
Here are the ways in which the use of marijuana can help relieve anxiety symptoms:
Sleep Better
Anxiety is known to cause insomnia among millions of people. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for the health and effective functioning of the body. Marijuana is a natural sedative and it helps in promoting sleep. This component of cannabis stimulates the cannabinoid receptors in our bodies, which induces sleep. THC is also responsible for a reduction in insomnia and nightmares.
Feel More Relaxed
Using marijuana can help alleviate anxiety symptoms. When one is anxious, it can be challenging to deal with even the simplest of situations. When you smoke marijuana, the cannabinoids from the weed stimulate internal cannabinoid receptors located in widespread areas of the brain.
The THC binds to these receptors and produces a calming effect. As an added advantage, if you suffer from panic attacks, using marijuana can help you deal with them without experiencing a lot of anxiety yourself.
Reduce Panic Attacks
Marijuana can help people with anxiety disorders because it has components that relieve their symptoms. A 2013 study performed by the University of Georgia showed that those who used marijuana had fewer occurrences of panic attacks compared to people who didn’t use it.
In the study, over a hundred patients were examined and evaluated on their responses to a panic disorder questionnaire. Each patient was then administered THC capsules and then asked to rank their reactions in an anxiety-inducing situation. The study found that after taking the marijuana, most patients experienced less anxiety than before when confronted with such situations.
Reduce Stress
Stress is a huge trigger of anxiety for many people, and it is one of the major causes of anxiety attacks. Using marijuana before an important meeting is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety so that you can focus on getting the job done. Stress is the leading cause of many health problems, including heart disease. Cannabis has been proven to be an effective way to relieve stress. It can help you focus on your work and boost your productivity so that you can be free from anxiety completely.
Coping With Pain
Anxiety can lead to pain that is not only disturbing but also potentially dangerous. It is important for those suffering from anxiety to have people around them to take care of them and reassure them. With marijuana, one can be at ease and focus more on the task at hand without worrying about the effects of pain. Marijuana works by binding with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which helps manage anxiety levels naturally and effectively.
