The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now requiring benzodiazepine medicines to show the boxed warning to deal with abuse, addiction, dependence & withdrawal reactions. Benzodiazepines are popular for treating anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
However, many prefer cannabis over anti-anxiety medications. Studies show that the former doesn’t cause adverse effects as the latter. By applying for 420 evaluations, you can legally buy marijuana products, such as flowers, edibles, tinctures, etc. from medical dispensaries in your city.
Cannabis For Anxiety
Cannabis can help ease anxiety symptoms, such as sleep problems, lack of focus, panic attacks, etc. Studies show that cannabinoids in the marijuana plant interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), thus providing calming effects.
THC is one of the cannabis compounds with amazing mind-altering properties. It binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS, thus regulating various bodily functions.
Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is also effective in fighting anxiety. A recent study found that CBD helped alleviate social anxiety associated with public speaking. Researchers gave participants CBD (150 – 600 mg) and noted that 300 mg provided a significant improvement.
Related- How to Add CBD to Your Daily Wellness Routine?
Cannabis products are available in different forms, such as flowers, vaping cartridges, gummies, brownies, teas, oils, etc. So, consumers can buy as per their medical needs and personal preferences.
Cannabis vs Anti-Anxiety Medications
Which is better? Well, everyone’s reaction to this is different. They usually work the same way, in other words, with the same neurotransmitters in the brain.
Medical specialists usually prescribe benzodiazepines for patients suffering from anxiety disorders. These medications help reduce anxiety levels by adjusting the GABA levels. Recent studies show that marijuana works the same way i.e. impacting the GABA levels.
The two treatments differ when it comes to side-effects. Anti-anxiety medications can lead to headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, an upset stomach, lack of focus, and drowsiness. Even benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, can cause death. Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that overdose deaths associated with benzodiazepines increased to 8,791 in 2015 from 1,135 in 1999.
It’s right that consuming too much marijuana can lead to overdose issues. But, there’s no evidence that cannabis overdose can cause death.
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Does Marijuana Interact With Medications?
If you are a marijuana user, you might be aware of the fact that the herb can help you boost mood and promote relaxation. However, patients also take antidepressants and other medications for anxiety relief. The American Psychological Association says that 8 percent of people between 20 and 39 have taken prescription antidepressants in any given month.
Many prefer taking both treatments together to get more benefits. So, is it ok to mix cannabis with anti-anxiety medications?
Well, we don’t recommend it. Medications and cannabis have some overlapping side-effects, and combining both can lead to adverse effects. For example, marijuana and citalopram when taken together can cause confusion, lack of focus, and drowsiness.
Moreover, it’s hard to determine the effectiveness of medications or cannabis when mixed. It’s good to take one treatment at a time to evaluate its medicinal effects and side-effects. However, you can talk to a medical marijuana doctor before starting any treatment.
Top Cannabis Strains For Anxiety Sufferers
The concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes greatly impacts the medicinal effects of cannabis. So, it’s important to buy the right strains with 420 evaluations. Here are some of the top cannabis strains for anxiety patients-
- ACDC
- Granddaddy Purple
- Jack Herer
- Jillybean
- Remedy
- Cannatonic
- Girl Scout Cookies
- AK-47
- Super Sour Diesel
Final Thoughts
Marijuana for anxiety is proven helpful. Studies show that it’s better than prescription medications, such as antidepressants. Cannabis has more than 100 cannabinoids, which bind to receptors (particularly CB1 and CB2) in the endocannabinoid system. As compared to anti-anxiety medications, cannabis use has fewer side-effects.
There are many ways to consume cannabis for anxiety relief. These include smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Each delivery method works differently, so you should select the right one to ease your symptoms completely. Additionally, the amount of cannabis you consume plays a key role in the marijuana effects you receive. If you haven’t used cannabis before, start with a low dose and increase slowly.
Avoid mixing medications with marijuana. Talk to your doctor for professional help.
Get an MMJ card to access cannabis legally. Now, it’s very simple to apply for your 420 evaluations online. The process is-
- Sign up for an account
- See a medical marijuana doctor online
- Receive MMJ recs in PDF format