How Medical Marijuana Helps Anxiety and PTSD

Anxiety and PTSD can take over in ways that can leave you feeling helpless but it’s important to remember that they are only a small part of who you are.

You are more than your mental issue but at times, it can be hard to believe this truth because you feel the fear and the sadness constantly taking over. That’s when finding the right medication becomes essential to your well-being.

Medical Marijuana Helps Anxiety And PTSD

Marijuana has been a key component in aiding mental health issues for hundreds of years. In India alone, cannabis has been used for more than 400 years to treat people.

Nowadays, there is more awareness and open-mindedness about medical marijuana as researchers are continually studying how it can work as a type of anti-anxiety medication.

It’s understandable to have concerns about taking medical marijuana to treat your anxiety or PTSD. After all, you don’t want something that will make your condition worse. In lieu of this, I thought I would answer some of your frequently asked questions, for you to have a clearer idea of how medical marijuana helps anxiety and PTSD.

FAQs To How Medical Marijuana Helps Anxiety and PTSD

Is it a substitute for anti-anxiety medication?

It can be. Early research has shown that medical marijuana has “similar components” to your average anti-anxiety medication. Often, medication for anxiety is taken so that the levels of a neurotransmitter known as GABA can be balanced and anxiety can be lowered. What researchers have found is that medical marijuana can also control the GABA in your brain and help ease your anxiety.

How is it like other anti-anxiety medications?

If you’ve been in this for a while, then you must have heard your doctor talking about serotonin receptors at some point and being prescribed anti-anxiety medication like Prozac and Zoloft which have these inhibitors. Similar to them, CBD can also help boost your serotonin receptors.

Does it lower stress levels?

It does. Medical marijuana has been found to lower the levels of cortisol. The latter is a type of hormone that tells your brain how stressed you are. The lower your cortisol is, the less stressed you will feel, which in turn will mean a lowering of your anxiety.

How else does medical marijuana affect the chemicals in our brain?

Another way medical marijuana helps anxiety is through its chemical makeup which has similar components to those found in our brain. We have chemicals in our brain called endocannabinoids. These are key for our emotions, our behavior, our motor skills, and even our cognition.

Now, when a person suffers from anxiety caused by chronic stress, researchers have found that the production of endocannabinoids is suppressed. The reason why medical marijuana could be key to treat your anxiety is that it can help restore your levels of endocannabinoids.

How would I take medical marijuana?

The mode of medication makes a difference in this case. If you smoke or vaporize medical marijuana, you will feel the effects much faster than if you ingest an edible. Your mode of medication depends on your condition and only your doctor can advise the best option.

How effective is it?

Medical cannabis treatment works fast and you will feel its effects much faster than other anti-anxiety medication. More importantly, it can be helpful in situations where your anxiety is at an all-time high. Every person will experience a different outcome. 

How is the mind on medical marijuana?

Much-clearer than you’d expect. Anxiety can add an extra layer of fog in your mind. It can be hard to think clearly when you are overwhelmed with fear or painfully negative thoughts. Medical marijuana will help you think clearly. You will find it easier to make decisions — ones you were struggling with due to your constant over-thinking. Moreover, medical marijuana helps ease that dark cloud of judgment that anxiety brings with it, so you can go about your day feeling lighter.

Should I only stick to medical marijuana?

While CBD will help you feel better, it’s always good to pair this type of medication with other treatments such as therapy.

You Will Get Better…

As hard as it is to believe, especially on those days when your anxiety are at their worst, it is possible to get away from under the dark cloud you find yourself at the moment. Give yourself the best chance for healing with medication that can act fast and give you the relief you have been looking for. Learn more about getting a medical marijuana card in Florida.