Many people choose to use medical marijuana for anxiety. Anxiety. Panic. Stress. We all hate it, but we still have to deal with it.
Good news: stress is supposed to be good for us! When we feel pressure, our body is telling us to be alert— danger may be ahead! This is why we often look both ways when crossing the street and avoid grizzly bears.
Stress is good for you, just like exercising is good for you. Anxious moments alert your brain to impending danger so you can stay alive.
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How Medical Marijuana for Anxiety Can Help You Relax
When you take medical marijuana for anxiety, its active ingredients – cannabinoids – interact with the endocannabinoid system. Did you catch that? The endocannabinoid system controls your moods and manages how you feel. It’s a lot to handle, but at least now you know how it works.
Medical marijuana contains active ingredients – cannabinoids – that affect the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system controls many aspects of your health.
The beneficial cannabinoids in marijuana support your endocannabinoid system.
The two most popular cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is mostly known for its psychoactive effect (the “marijuana high” we all know about). CBD is less well-known but is gaining popularity because of its anti-anxiety properties. Both phytocannabinoids have a lot more to offer, but we’ll stick with these two for now.
The Balancing Effects of CBD to THC
CBD and THC work best when they’re working together—a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. More specifically, CBD counters the anxious side effects of THC; it makes you feel more relaxed as a result. So if you’re using cannabis to treat anxiety, you want to consider products with more balanced CBD-to-THC ratio.
Treating Anxiety with Medical Marijuana
The two main types of marijuana are Indicas and Sativas. Sativas provide more of a “head high,” giving you energy and stimulating your mind. Indicas offer more of a “body high,” relaxing you. Indicas also contain higher CBD concentrations than sativas, so that’s a plus for anxiety treatment. Also, indicas have high concentrations of myrcene, which is a chemical compound found in marijuana.
To get the most out of your cannabis experience, ensure that your products contain a high CBD: THC ratio. Products should be clearly labeled on marijuana product labels to show you the right amount of THC and CBD in your products. Avoid products that emphasize THC and don’t have enough CBD if you don’t know your needs’ proper ratio.
Talk with the dispensary staff to help you choose the right cannabis product. Make sure to be specific about what you want. If you tell them precisely what you are looking for, he or she should be able to introduce you to the best products.
Pay attention to how you feel after each session. When using cannabis, there’s no perfect formula for how much to use. Everyone is different and reacts differently when using medical marijuana for anxiety.
If you’re interested in exploring the powerful effects that medical marijuana has to offer, remember to take it easy. Meditation and yoga are great tools to help you relax and observe your thoughts and emotions as they happen. You can then use these tools to stay calm and focused while medicating with marijuana products.
The effects of ingesting cannabis-infused edibles can vary depending on the potency of the edible. It can take up to two hours to kick in, so you shouldn’t expect to feel it immediately. Start small and wait to see how your body reacts. Remember, always start with a low dose if you’re looking to introduce edibles into your regimen.
Most importantly, speak with your physician and mental health counselor before starting any treatment regimen. Anxiety is different for everyone, so if you’re considering using medical marijuana to treat it, definitely speak with your doctor first to see if medical marijuana is the right fit for you.
Most importantly, speak with your physician or mental health counselor before starting any treatment regimen. For medical marijuana doctors in Jacksonville, learn more about the services of Dr. Green Relief Rx.