According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States affecting about 18.1% of the population every year.
Anxiety is a mental health condition that can affect all corners of your life. Panic about leaving your home, nervousness before a presentation, fear about meeting new people, etc. are some of the common situations anxiety patients have to deal with.
Medical studies have found that cannabinoids (mainly THC and CBD) are effective in relieving anxiety. For this reason, more and more anxiety patients are applying for medical cannabis card in San Jose and other marijuana legalized regions.
In this blog post, we will discuss how exactly cannabinoids work for alleviating symptoms associated with anxiety & what are the best cannabis strains for this condition.
Anxiety can cause problems in your daily life. Some of the common symptoms of this condition are—excessive worrying, trouble sleeping, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, panic attacks, difficulty meeting new people, and irrational fears.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication are considered effective treatments for anxiety, but the condition can also be managed with the help of medical marijuana.
The effectiveness of medical cannabis for treating anxiety can be better understood by studying the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body. It’s a biological system, which is responsible for performing various bodily functions.
Researchers have found that the natural compounds in cannabis, called cannabinoids, can help relieve symptoms of anxiety by interacting with the receptors in the brain.
Cannabidiol (CBD), an important non-psychoactive compound, provides significant effects for treating anxiety. CBD-rich cannabis can help in relieving pain, inflammation, anxiety, etc.
CBD helps in increasing 5-HT1A transmission and affecting serotonin faster than SSRIs. This is probably the reason why CBD products are considered for overcoming the limitations of prescribed anti-anxiety medication therapies.
The chemical structure of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is similar to that of the brain chemical anandamide (also called bliss molecule). THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, thus altering brain functioning.
According to a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, smoking marijuana can help in reducing self-reported levels of anxiety, stress, depression in the short term. However, repeated use may not reduce symptoms in some patients and may increase depression instead.
Researchers have also found that THC and CBD help in fighting anxiety at low doses while higher doses may worsen the condition.
Medical marijuana can also help in lowering the levels of cortisol. It’s a hormone, which is associated with stress, and lowered levels can relieve stress and anxiety.
Here’re some of the best strains effective for relieving anxiety-
It’s necessary to note that cannabis affects different people differently. Thus, you should examine how your body responds to different strains and choose the best one for your condition. You can also seek professional help for selecting cannabis strain when obtaining San Jose 420 med evaluations.
To sum it up—anxiety is a common mental health condition, affecting millions of Americans. Compared with medical treatments, cannabis has proven beneficial for relieving anxiety. The cannabinoids in cannabis bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, thus altering different functions.
There’re different types of cannabis strains that provide different effects. Based on the severity of your condition and how your body responds to cannabinoids, you can select the strains.
Talk to a 420 doctor to apply for your medical cannabis card San Jose today!