Dealing With Anxiety Through Medical Cannabis Use
Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes excessive and constant fear and worries. Common symptoms include sweating, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, nervousness, restlessness, and trembling, to name a few.
This mental illness has several types such as general anxiety disorder (GAD), separation anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and specific phobias. Anxiety patients use cognitive behavioral therapy and medications to alleviate their symptoms. In recent years, Texas medical cannabis use is also being looked at as a potential treatment for anxiety disorder. Continue reading to learn what studies say about cannabis and anxiety.
Does Medical Marijuana Help People with Anxiety?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as marijuana. The component can be in different forms like oils, capsules, sprays, vapes, and gummies. Because CBD has non-psychoactive properties, studies suggest that it can potentially be an anxiolytic or an anxiety relief medication.
A 2010 study suggests that CBD was effective in alleviating symptoms among people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). The brain scans of participants show that the oil affected the blood flow in parts of the brain that pertained to feelings of anxiety. A 2011 research also revealed that CBD relieved worry and discomfort among individuals with SAD during a simulated public speaking test.
In a 2015 review, 49 studies had findings that showed CBD can help with different forms of anxiety. The review found that the compound can be beneficial for individuals with GAD, SAD, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. CBD also helped people struggling with sleep, according to a 2019 study.
Despite the generally positive findings, there were cases where CBD caused side effects. Epidiolex, a CBD medication for severe types of epilepsy like Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome, caused diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue, appetite loss, and insomnia. In addition, some participants in a 2017 study had their anxiety levels increased by CBD.
Overall, current evidence shows promising results in using cannabis to treat anxiety but there have only been limited human studies so far. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve CBD as an anxiolytic, further research on cannabis and anxiety is a must. More human clinical trials are also necessary to definitively understand the effects of the compound on patients with the disorder.
CBD products can still be used to relieve anxiety symptoms, but you must talk to a cannabis clinical specialist before doing so. This ensures that you get the appropriate prescription and dose for the kind of anxiety you have. Get in touch with Thrive Medical Cannabis in Texas and consult with our reliable cannabis clinicians. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.