Does medical cannabis help with anxiety?

Certain studies have shown that cannabis can cause anxiety symptoms. Other research has shown that cannabis can be used to treat anxiety symptoms if it is done correctly.

Anxiety refers to anxiety, worry, tension, nervousness or fear that is related to a particular event or situation. Anxiety can also cause increased heartbeat and sweating.

This is normal and normal in response to stressful situations or stress. An anxiety disorder is a condition in which excessive anxiety becomes a problem.

Continue reading to find out more about cannabis and anxiety.

What's cannabis?

Cannabis Sativa can be described as a plant. The flower, the leaves and the seed oil are used for medicinal purposes.

While cannabis comprises more than 120 active ingredients and compounds, the most abundant are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The following effects and feelings can be triggered by cannabis use for recreational purposes:

• Relaxation
• Elation or euphoria
• Paranoia
• There is confusion
• Perceiving color, taste and sounds differently
• An increased appetite

These are the ways cannabis users can consume it:

• Vaping or smoking
• It can be made into tea
• Consume it in cakes or brownies.
• Raw
• Apply a topical cream to their skin
• Consuming capsules or supplements

Apart from their recreational benefits, CBD and THC have potential health benefits, including the treatment of anxiety.

Anxiety symptoms

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (31.1% of Americans) an estimated 31% of adults have experienced an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

Anxiety symptoms include:

• Feelings of worry
• irritability
• Restlessness
• A feeling of being at the edge
• Sleeping problems
• Concentration difficulties

Physical symptoms of anxiety includeTrusted source

• Increased heart rate
• Breathing difficulty
• nausea
• It is important to sweat
• Feeling of weakness
• Symptoms of upset stomach
• dizziness
• Hot flashes

Can cannabis be used to treat anxiety?

Only a few human clinical trials have looked at cannabis for anxiety treatment. There is growing evidence that cannabis for anxiety could be effective. This is especially true when cannabis is used in CBD oil form.

One 2010 study showed that cannabis oil reduces anxiety symptoms in individuals with social anxiety disorder. The brain scans of participants revealed that cannabis oil caused changes in blood flow in areas in the brain associated with anxiety feelings.

These results suggest that cannabis oil may be able to treat anxiety. This study also shows how cannabis oil interacts with the brain in order to accomplish this.

A 2015 reviewTrusted Source reviewed previous research on cannabis oil and found that most of it was done using animal models. These studies suggest that cannabis oil may be able to reduce anxiety disorders.

These include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder.

These findings can only be confirmed in humans by conducting human studies. This research mostly focused on CBD dosing. Scientists need to do more research to determine if chronic CBD use has the same effects as, or sustained effects.

A 2018 survey examined the effects of cannabis on anxiety and depression. The survey revealed that 58% of medical cannabis users experienced a decrease in stress and anxiety.

Additionally, women reported greater anxiety reductions after using medical marijuana than did males. The most effective methods of stress reduction were found to be high THC and high CBD cannabis.

Can cannabis cause anxiety?

Cannabis use can cause anxiety in some cases.

A 2014 studyTrusted source examined the effectiveness of medical cannabis in treating neurological conditions. Some people who used the drug suffered from anxiety. This suggests that anxiety may be linked to higher THC levels.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration there is a connection between cannabis abuse and anxiety disorders.

Experts aren't certain if cannabis can trigger anxiety or if those with anxiety disorder tend to use more cannabis.

Other treatments for anxiety

There are many other options available if you don't want to use cannabis for anxiety relief. These are:

• Regular exercise and active living are key to staying healthy.
• Reduce alcohol consumption
• reducing caffeine consumption
• Healthy eating habits
• Counseling or psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral Therapy
• Anti Anxiety medication, beta blockers or antidepressants.

Summary

Cannabis oil, especially, is promising in relieving anxiety symptoms. These findings must be confirmed by more human research. A few studies have also been done on the effects of cannabis on anxiety over time.

THC can trigger anxiety in some people, especially if taken in high doses.