Medical marijuana (MMJ) has been proven to have many beneficial effects on our physical and mental health. Today, there are many illnesses where MMJ is used, especially when it comes to managing or relieving symptoms. Depression, insomnia and PTSD are just some of the disorders where it’s recommended.
So, does having anxiety make you eligible to get medical marijuana? Yes. Those diagnosed with the condition can get cannabis as medicine.
TeleLeaf in Baton Rouge helps patients gain access to medical marijuana. Through a consultation, you can easily access cannabis from your nearby MMJ dispensary.
So how does it work? How does it help relieve the symptoms of anxiety?
Read on to find out.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of concern and persistent worry about things that might happen. This is a normal human reaction and many of us have experienced it to some degree in our lives.
But, there are cases when anxiety becomes a regular occurrence, which can interfere with daily functioning. In this case, they probably have some sort of anxiety disorder.
Mental health experts can diagnose either one or more of the following major types of anxiety disorders:
● Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
● Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
● Panic Disorder
● Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
● Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia
How Does Medical Marijuana Help People with Anxiety?
Today, there are already a few established medicines that help treat the symptoms of anxiety. However, not everyone can afford or consume them. Some have side effects that can aggravate the symptoms of anxiety.
MMJ, on the other hand, is a safe and effective treatment that can help mitigate symptoms of anxiety. In fact, one study from 2018 showed that patients using MMJ experienced a 58% reduction in anxiety and stress.
How does it work? There are certain compounds in MMJ that bind with certain receptors in the brain.
One of the most specific bodily systems affected by MMJ is the endocannabinoid system. It’s a part of the nervous system and works to modulate our response to certain environmental stressors.
When cannabis compounds bind with them, they trigger the release of endorphins and reduce the amount of cortisol, creating a calming effect that reduces the heart rate and brings up the mood of a user.
Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Anxiety
The main benefit medical marijuana has for anxiety is a calming effect on both the body and mind. Considering that anxiety leads to a continual fight or flight response, this calming effect allows patients to focus, relax and sleep.
In effect, this allows them to regain their daily functioning.
Ways Medical Marijuana Can Help Relieve Your Anxiety
Along with the aforementioned effects of MMJ, there are also many other anxiety symptoms it can help with, depending on the specific anxiety disorder you’re facing. These include:
● Agoraphobia
● Flashbacks
● Response to trauma
● Panic attacks
Along with this, anxiety has various physical effects on the body, such as muscle tension, nausea and pain. Medical marijuana has successfully been used to treat all of these.
Can Cannabis Treat Anxiety?
While it’s important to remember that anxiety has no known cure, medical cannabis has been shown to be an effective medical treatment. MMJ can relieve its symptoms with its sedating effects.
Combined with therapy and good mental health habits, MMJ can reduce instances of anxiety attacks and other symptoms.
Of course, there are still many factors that can affect the effectiveness of MMJ on an individual.
You will need to consult with your local pharmacist to find the right treatment plan for you. But in general, it makes a patient’s life easier by mitigating the symptoms.
Contact TeleLeaf Today
Those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in Baton Rouge, Louisiana can get recommendations from doctors to get MMJ products from their nearest dispensary.
At TeleLeaf, you can get your MMJ recommendation online. To get started, create an account with us today.
Sources:
- https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736954/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-and-anxiety#pros
- https://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjanxiety.pdf
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/marijuana-and-anxiety
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085
- https://www.verywellmind.com/physical-symptoms-of-panic-and-anxiety-2584248#:~:text=Experiencing%20frequent%20feelings%20of%20fear,for%20people%20with%20panic%20disorder.
- https://www.verywellmind.com/marijuana-and-anxiety-1393132
- https://vistapineshealth.com/services/anxiety-disorder/marijuana-help/
