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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.

Related- Is Cannabis Addictive? Let’s Talk More About it

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

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We all are familiar with the benefits of cannabis. More and more states are now legalizing medical cannabis because of its therapeutic benefits. Anyone suffering from a qualifying condition can get an MMJ card after a 420 evaluation in Bakersfield. But, other than medical benefits, cannabis still has a lot to offer. You must have heard about cannabis boosting the creativity of people, or helping athletes with their workouts. But are you familiar with the relationship between cannabis and singing? 

Both singing and cannabis have a lot of things in common such as making you feel fantastic and relaxed. But the connection between the two is much deeper than just that. And today we are going to explore that complex relationship between them. We will also look at how smoking cannabis can affect the singing voice of an individual. Whether you are a professional singer or a bathroom singer, we know you love your voice and you love singing. And if you are a cannabis enthusiast as well, you should definitely learn about this relationship cannabis and singing have.

The relationship between cannabis and singing

Singing can reduce stress and makes you feel good. Doesn’t it sound familiar? Cannabis is also associated with reducing stress and making users feel good. Both singing and consuming cannabis can induce a state of euphoria. And if we talk about the scientific terms, both the activities have an influence on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Wait a minute, but what is the ECS? Basically, it consists of cell receptors and many chemical compounds known as endocannabinoids. This system is responsible for controlling mood, appetite, memory, and reward response. It does so with the help of its regulatory function that is present within the body. When you consume cannabis, the cannabinoids present in it act on the endocannabinoid system. Many cannabinoids present in cannabis have a similar molecular structure to the endocannabinoids of our ECS. That is why cannabinoids are able to interact with the same receptors. Hence, they are able to trigger the same functions. 

Take THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) for instance. THC is the intoxicating compound of cannabis. THC and an endocannabinoid, anandamide, share a similar shape. One of the various functions of anandamide is to improve mood, that’s why it also got its nickname ‘the bliss molecule’. And THC interacts with the same receptors as anandamide because of their similar shape. That’s why THC is able to impart a state of calm and happiness. Or as we call it, the cannabis high. Another cannabinoid is CBD (cannabidiol), which is not an intoxicating cannabinoid. CBD also affects the ECS, but not directly. It does not bind with the cannabinoid receptors, instead, it simply increases the levels of natural endocannabinoids. 

A study was done in 2018 by researcher Nicole Stone involving nine healthy female volunteers from a choir. The result of the study showed a 42 percent increment in anandamide levels of volunteers after singing. Two other endocannabinoids, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA), had high levels. Volunteers also reported experiencing improved mood and emotions after singing. The study also showed that while dancing also improved the mood, it did not affect endocannabinoid levels. And, cycling and reading only increased OEA levels.

What are the benefits of cannabis and singing?

Over the centuries, people have been using cannabis for various purposes. In recent years, research was focused on figuring out the medicinal properties of cannabis. This has helped us explore the various benefits of medical cannabis. The most common reasons for people to use medical cannabis are –

• Chronic pain
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea and vomiting
• Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD)
• Appetite disorders

While singing may have its own significant benefits, researchers are looking to find more about it. However, some investigation has shown its efficacy for certain conditions such as –

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Alzheimer’s disorder

But more evidence is needed to reach any conclusion about these health benefits of singing. Although we can think that it may have some positive effects because of its interaction with the ECS. Now, let’s tackle a very important question – what effect does cannabis have on your singing voice?

Does cannabis have a good or bad impact on your singing voice?

We just read about some potential benefits of both cannabis and singing on our physical and mental health. But there are some drawbacks that we can not ignore. The first thing that we need to consider here is that most people consume cannabis by smoking. There’s no denying that this process could actually be bad for your voice. Whether you are smoking tobacco or cannabis, it will harm your throat and lungs. Some even say that smoking cannabis is more harmful to the voice than tobacco. This is because it burns at a higher temperature. Also, when you smoke cannabis, you tend to smoke it without a filter. You inhale cannabis smoke more deeply and hold it for longer than the cigarette smoke.

A 2019 study showed that people who smoked had dark vocal folds (as shown by laryngoscopy). The study also showed that cannabis can even cause injury to throats and lungs because of the by-product of smoking. Some of the adverse effects of smoking cannabis on the voice include –

• Hoarseness
• Dry throat
• Unclear articulation
• Low-pitched voice
• Altered voice rhythm and fluency

But can quitting smoking cannabis improve your voice?

Studies show that switching to a vape or simple stop smoking can reduce respiratory problems. However, the impact of quitting cannabis on the voice is not clear. Chances are that it will help. But if you still have to consume cannabis, choosing another way to consume it can help. Thankfully, we now have a lot of options when it comes to consuming cannabis.

One of the best ways to consume cannabis is cannabis edibles. You can enjoy all the benefits of cannabis without putting your vocal cords or lungs at risk of getting damaged. Also, these cannabis edibles are very versatile and suit every taste. You can even find cannabis or CBD-infused lozenges on the market. These are a great option for you if you are looking to use cannabis but still want to soothe your throat.

Are there any potential benefits of cannabis for singers?

If you are not smoking cannabis, instead choose another method, it may actually offer some benefits for you. For example, THC and CBD have anti-inflammatory properties. They can provide muscle relaxation. They can also help in relaxing the throat and jaw, the two vital components of singing. Therefore, we can say that this magical herb can offer some benefits to your singing.

If you are looking to maximize the potential benefits of cannabis for your singing, try using either lozenges or syrup. By mixing a spoonful of cannabis honey and herbal tea, you can also try to make your own soothing beverage. Also, remember to keep plenty of warm or room-temperature water with you when singing. This is important because cannabis can cause dry mouth.Must Visit: Life Live Healthy

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Medical Marijuana has become really popular in recent years. With its legalization, people have started to reap the benefits of the herb. Though, I believe there is so much more to cannabis that has yet to be realized. With a Medical Card in California, one can get legal cannabis without any hassles. Do you use cannabis for your treatment? 

The beauty of the herb is that it can be used by all age groups. When we think about cannabis, we tend to route ourselves towards smoking. But that is where we go wrong. There are different ways one can consume cannabis like vaping, eating, or even applying. So, even children or older generations can use cannabis to help manage their conditions. 

Although we associate traditional thinking of older generations with medical cannabis being regarded as an illicit drug, a study published by Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine shows that the maximum increase in cannabis use has been observed with people aged over 65 years. So, that clearly depicts that the older demographic have certainly accepted the drug and have actually been able to live the benefits of the herb. 

This clearly shows that older generations have been affected by the use of medical cannabis. The herb has been successful in helping improve their well-being and work performance. The study further showed that older cannabis users used alternative medication at least 100 days in a year. While 26 percent of these older cannabis consumers used the herb around 1-4 times a week.

Also, the older generation of cannabis users consumed the herb for medicinal benefits more than for recreation. The main reasons being conditions like anxiety, lack of appetite, depression, insomnia, etc. Fact Check: About 55 percent of the older generation suffer from a condition or symptom that can be treated with medical cannabis. 

And that is probably why the herb is so successful for people above the age of 65 years old. And with its legalization, all you need is a Medical Card in California to reap the benefits of the herb. And with the telemedicine process, you can get the recommendation online within minutes. It is really easy. 

Medical cannabis has been proven to be effective in fighting the conditions mentioned above. Many studies and researches have shown with conclusive evidence that the herb can help people suffering from various mental and physical ailments including the above. 

Also Read: Why California Medical Card Is The Need Of The Hour?

In addition, traditional medications generally are addictive and cause various serious side effects. Medical cannabis, on the other hand, is neither addictive nor causes any serious side effects. And that is probably why people are preferring cannabis over other forms of medications. 

What you get with medical cannabis, you don’t get with other medications. There are too many benefits of the herb that people can’t go back to their traditional medications. And cannabis doesn’t compromise the ability to fight the conditions when it comes to providing other benefits. So, do you have a Medical Card in California? If not, then it is probably time you get one to manage your condition effectively.  

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