Medical cannabis is used for a wide range of conditions and ailments. While many people associate cannabis with its ability to alleviate physical pain and inflammation, cannabis can also help with various mental health issues. As such, those who suffer from problems related to anxiety, stress, and depression often seek medical marijuana treatment.
Research suggests that cannabis can help counteract and alleviate many of the symptoms associated with anxiety disorders including PTSD, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety. It’s also said to help with depression, chronic stress, and other mental health problems. Here’s what you should know about mental health and cannabis.
Mental Health and Cannabis
Mental health issues affect a large portion of the population. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness. These illnesses range in severity from mild mental health issues to serious mental illnesses that can impact their daily lives severely. Whichever way, many people seek out alternative treatments to help with their mental health issues.
Those suffering from mental health problems often benefit from various forms of therapy. Many also use medications to deal with their mental ailments, although many of these medications come with unwanted side effects, making them risky to use. Cannabis has emerged as a promising alternative treatment for mental health problems.
While it’s important to use cannabis responsibly – especially as overusing may cause anxiety and paranoia to increase – many users report mental benefits from using cannabis. Various studies out there show that THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids can help with the symptoms of various mental health problems, especially if used in conjunction with therapy and other treatments.
Medical Cannabis For Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common qualifying conditions for medical cannabis, and many patients seek medical cannabis treatment to curb their anxiety. While cannabis won’t cure anxiety, many people find that it helps relax their minds and alleviates many of the symptoms associated with anxiety.
Research suggests that medical cannabis can have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, helping to combat the symptoms of anxiety and depression. THC often has relaxing effects on the mind and can help people reduce their anxiety levels. With that said, it’s important to use in moderation as higher amounts of THC may heighten anxiety for users.
CBD appears to be particularly helpful for anxiety – especially as it’s non-psychoactive and helps tame the potential side effects of THC. A 2019 study found that taking CBD helped reduce anxiety levels and improve sleep for patients. Another study on using CBD for social anxiety found that even a single high dose of CBD helped reduce anxiety symptoms for users.
Medical Cannabis For Stress and Depression
Many people also suffer from chronic stress and depression. These conditions are often linked to anxiety, but can also be experienced by themselves. Much like anxiety, studies suggest that the mental effects of cannabis may help users curb their symptoms of chronic stress and depression.
A 2018 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders assessed the effects of cannabis on depression, anxiety, and stress. Interestingly, the study found that using cannabis helped significantly reduce all of these problems for users. What’s more, even a single puff of cannabis was enough to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
However, it’s also important to use cannabis responsibly for these issues. Research from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that low doses of THC can help relieve stress but high doses could exacerbate it. Some users suffering from chronic stress and depression opt to use CBD instead of THC products to help reduce their symptoms without psychoactive effects.
Medical Cannabis For PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety characterized by fear, anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. PTSD is triggered by traumatic events and can severely impact the daily life of sufferers if it’s left untreated. Therapy and medications are often prescribed for PTSD – PTSD is also listed as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in many states.
A federal study on using cannabis for PTSD showed particularly promising results. Within one year, subjects who used cannabis to treat their PTSD showed much greater improvements in their symptoms than those who didn’t. Participants who used cannabis were also 2.57 times more likely to no longer meet the criteria for PTSD by the end of the study.
Research on using CBD for PTSD also showed positive results. The study found that the administration of oral CBD, in addition to routine psychiatric care, resulted in a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms for adults. CBD also offered relief for patients who regularly suffered from nightmares related to their PTSD.
How To Get Medical Cannabis
The process of accessing medical cannabis generally involves registering for a medical card and visiting a qualified doctor to assess your symptoms. Many states now list anxiety disorders and PTSD as qualifying conditions for medical cannabis, and exemptions are often made for other serious mental health problems.
Pennsylvania is one of the many states that prescribe medical cannabis for mental health issues. In Pennsylvania, you can register for your medical card online, visit a qualified PA marijuana doctor to assess your symptoms, then pay for your card and receive it in the post. You can then access a range of high-quality medical cannabis and CBD products to help with your symptoms.
Patients often seek help and advice when applying for their medical card – especially when it comes to finding qualified medical marijuana doctors to assess their symptoms. Fortunately, Comp Care MD offers a wealth of information, advice, and resources to make getting your medical card as quick and hassle-free as possible.
Conclusion
Medical cannabis is often used to help alleviate mental health issues – especially in cases of severe anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s particularly effective when used in conjunction with other treatments such as therapy and psychiatric care.
If you’re looking for more information on medical marijuana or even to book an appointment with a marijuana doctor online, visit Comp Care MD for a wealth of helpful guides and resources.