Medical marijuana is not only growing in popularity, but also in applicability. Research and medical professionals are continuing to find more and more ailments that can be treated with the help of medical cannabis. And one area that’s seeing a lot of interest these days is medical marijuana for anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in the world. In Canada, for instance, Statistics Canada finds that 3% of the population suffers from anxiety, or about one in 33 people.
But the upside is that anxiety can be treated—and we’re seeing more and more evidence that medical cannabis for anxiety could be part of the solution to many people’s struggles.
Let’s take a deeper look into how medical marijuana can help tackle anxiety.
What Is Anxiety?
To one degree or another, we’ve all experienced some form of stress that feels like anxiety. From asking a special someone on a date to making a speech in front of the office, everyone has experience with an anxiety-inducing episode.
But anxiety disorders are where those feelings are long-lasting and overwhelming, typically inducing crippling fear.
Anxiety disorders are typically chronic, according to Statistics Canada, and last for at least six months on average. What’s more, they tend to get worse over time when left untreated, not better. The good news is that treatments—like CBD—may significantly reduce symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?
The most common symptoms of anxiety are a sense of overwhelming fear and dread, which can in turn affect your ability to function at work or in social settings.
Other symptoms include:
- Worry
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Debilitation or exhaustion
What Is the Difference between Anxiety and Stress?
As mentioned earlier, everyone has experienced stress or an anxiety-inducing episode at least once in their life, but those with anxiety disorders struggle with recurring, persistent, and long-term anxiety attacks, which can lead to the above symptoms.
In other words, stress is dealing with the day-to-day rigours of life, while anxiety tends to be internally sourced and more intractable.
Using Medical Marijuana to Treat Anxiety
Even before medical marijuana was legalized in Canada, many parts of the U.S., and in several other countries around the world, many people were self-medicating with cannabis.
That’s because marijuana has shown signs of being able to help treat the many symptoms of anxiety.
There is a growing body of research showing cannabidiol (also known as CBD, a cannabis molecule that is non-intoxicating) reduces stress levels and other anxiety-related symptoms in animals, with those results likely replicable in humans with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Fear, one of the most debilitating symptoms of an anxiety disorder, also shows marked improvement in studies. While this research isn’t conclusive as of yet, it does show promising signs that medical marijuana for anxiety in Canada could be helpful in treating many people’s mental health.
Even trauma-related disorders, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have seen positive change as the result of CBD treatments. And better yet, cannabidiol carries with it fewer side effects. More evidence suggests that CBD could present a viable alternative to more common therapeutic treatments of PTSD.
If you’re interested in seeing if medical cannabis for anxiety is right for you, see a medical marijuana consulting service or a medical marijuana clinic to find out more.
Can Marijuana React with Other Anxiety Medications?
If you’re already taking other medication, does that mean that you can’t take medical marijuana for anxiety?
So far, the available studies and patient reports show that some mixes are more concerning than others. At this time, we lack the necessary research to definitively say “yes” or “no”, so you’re always best off connecting with a medical professional before mixing treatments.
Research has shown that SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), like Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, and Lexapro, have shown very few adverse interactions with cannabis. This also applies to NDRIs (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors) like Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, and Forfivo.
So, while experts still need to see more research before they can concretely say that marijuana poses no risk to a patient when mixed with other common anxiety treatments, the early signs are very positive.
Contact a Premier Medical Cannabis Clinic to Get Medical Cannabis for Anxiety
Anxiety is a struggle that you or your loved one should not have to embark on alone.
Medical Marijuana Consulting (MMC) knows how difficult anxiety disorders can be to the patient and their family and friends. That’s why MMC has stepped in to help patients find the best medical cannabis treatment plan to address their symptoms.
We specialize in helping Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, first-responders, motor vehicle accident patients, and seniors discover superior health outcomes with the help of medical cannabis.
We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan and provide end-to-end service that will help you secure a prescription, assist you in paying for the medicine costs through insurance (if eligible), and help select a licensed producer.
Be supported during your treatment with our team of physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners. And if you’re thinking about growing your own medical cannabis at home, we’ll help you apply for a Grow Your Own License with Health Canada.
Get in contact for a free consultation or connect with us by email at patientcare@medmc.ca and by phone at 1-844-312-5143 to begin your healing journey.
Join now and become a part of our Ambassador Program, where you’ll receive $15 for every person you refer to MMC that becomes a patient, helping more people get the health outcomes they deserve with medical marijuana.
