Medical Marijuana and Anxiety Disorder

Using Medical Marijuana for Anxiety Disorder in Florida

If you use medical marijuana for anxiety disorder in Florida, find doctors expert in both medical marijuana and anxiety. The symptom-relieving benefits of cannabis are numerous and may be life-changing. It is normal to feel anxious at times. On the other hand, problems arise when the anxiety becomes burdensome. When the anxiety interferes with your life, you may have a disorder. Like most mental health conditions, treating anxiety disorders is not easy. As a result, doctors perform a thorough medical exam to make the diagnosis.

Drugs such as benzos or sedatives are popular and used to reduce anxiety for a long time. Their low success rate, psychoactive effects, and high addiction rate has raised questions. It is essential to realize the adverse effects of these drugs. Drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion are significant and notable side effects. For this and other reasons, medical weed is becoming legal in the United States. Consequently, doctors are exploring cannabis products for the treatment of anxiety, stress and improved sleep.

Anxiety Facts and Statistics

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders worldwide. As you can imagine, the COVID pandemic has led to an increased number of people with generalized anxiety disorder GAD. The most common anxiety disorders are the specific phobias of major depressive disorder and social phobia. Almost 40 million people in the United States undergo an anxiety disorder in any given year. Although the disorders are highly treatable, only one-third of those suffering from anxiety disorder receive treatment. Anti-anxiety medications are the mainstay of current therapy.

The Efficacy of Medical Weed for Stress and Anxiety

A 2013 study published in PubMed reveals a link between weed and anxiety. Cannabis is capable of treating anxiety among other conditions. Also, other studies show similar results. There is a great deal of evidence that supports using the herb for anxiety. A similar review published in the same journal explored CBD as treatment. Oral CBD showed a significant decrease in test subject anxiety. These studies suggest the safe and effective benefits of cannabis treatment. Studies show it helps social anxiety disorder when compared to a placebo. Of note, the National Institute of Mental Health does not widely recognize using medical marijuana for anxiety disorder.

The success of prescribed medical weed for stress and anxiety is not under dispute. Nonetheless, there is some debate about the components causing the effects. There is some evidence the endocannabinoid system plays a role in anxiety and fear. This involves a complementary role for the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor. The major constituents of the cannabis plant are THC and cannabidiol CBD. Both are major players with the CB1 receptor. THC is a known psychoactive and the leading cause of cannabis euphoria. The compound activates specific brain centers controlling fear and anxiety. This activation is why anxious weed users should not self medicate. We suggest buying medical cannabis recommended by a physician using a med card. Buying pot with unreliable levels of THC and CBD from your street dealer could, on balance, worsen your condition.

Approval of Cannabis for Anxiety

The adoption of medical cannabis by 31 states comes with specific clauses. One caveat is its use for treating a limited number of conditions. These conditions vary from state to state. Most states have approved medical weed for anxiety. In contrast, Florida does not list anxiety and depression as qualifying conditions. Despite this, doctors may bridge it to one of the listed medical conditions. They need to demonstrate a significant effect of your mental illnesses on your life. Indeed, if they feel medical weed may help your severe anxiety.

The Best Cannabis for Anxiety

Strains with higher doses of THC can increase anxiety, therefore, the best cannabis strains for anxiety contain more of CBD and less THC. Consequently, some doctors prefer CBD oil extract if their assessment shows benefit. Consult your doctor to explore the medical weed option for anxiety. Indeed, this talk is essential before making any cannabis use decision. They will provide the appropriate prescription after a thorough assessment for the use of medical marijuana for anxiety disorder.

What is Anxiety?

We should remember that a certain amount of anxiety is healthy. However, excessive stress or worry about daily things is not normal. This persistence is a hallmark of generalized anxiety. Having anxious thoughts on most days may be a sign of a disorder. The symptoms may become burdensome and interfere with living a healthy life.

Normal stress contrasts from anxiety disorder by symptom severity. This contrast of "normal" anxiety with an anxiety disorder is delicate. Severe social anxiety symptoms and phobias may co-exist. Disabling anxiety disorders interfering with daily life are evident.

Medical Cannabis and Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) is a common condition. It can result in a chronic failure to deal with the usual stresses of life. It can manifest with a depressed attitude or feelings of being immobile. Physical symptoms may be noticeable. Frequent tension may occur, preventing the muscles from relaxing. This results in jaw or fist clenching, or muscle knots.

If this sounds familiar, you may want to talk to your doctor. As a result, they may want to prescribe some form of treatment. On the positive side, the herb has anti-anxiety effects. Persons have used weed to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder. People with anxiety who use herb realize the short term relaxing effect of cannabis. This fact is the most compelling evidence of its use as a treatment.

Social Anxiety and Self-Doubt

Feelings of self-doubt and self-worth are common in anxiety disorders. Self-conscious persons second-guess themselves, wondering if others are judging them. This persistent doubt in everyday situations may turn obsessive.

Social anxiety disorder leads to awkward social situations. Patients feel self-conscious and have blushing and trembling. There are nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating, or difficulty talking. The symptoms of anxiety may interfere with meeting new people or maintain friendships. Conversing, eating, or drinking in public can provoke severe anxiety.

Insomnia

More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from sleep problems. In fact, falling or staying asleep is a common condition. This problem may be abnormal if it happens on a routine basis. The excessive worry from anxiety tends to make this problem worse. Not being able to shut your brain off can result in lying awake for hours.

Frequent interruption of your normal sleep-wake cycle is not healthy. It interferes with your daily routine and can cause medical problems. Moreover, not sleeping because you’re worried leads to worry you because you can’t sleep.

Digestive Disorders

“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You only need to stop letting them control you.” A high level of anxiety may be associated with symptoms of chronic digestive problems. One such medical condition is irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms of IBS include stomach ache, cramping, bloating, and gas. Constipation alternating with diarrhea is common. These symptoms of chronic intestinal discomfort cause other problems. In short, this negative feedback makes both chronic pain and anxiety symptoms worse. An excellent piece on probiotics in one's personal experience of fighting IBS can be found in this article "Which Probiotics are Best for IBS?"

Compulsive Behaviors in Search of Perfection

The obsessive mentality is known as being a purist. This condition is linked with anxiety disorders. Dwelling on one’s prior mistakes or trying to prevent one may signal a problem. Being a purist is commonplace in obsessive or compulsive disorders. Lady Macbeth is an excellent literary example. The calming effects of medical marijuana for anxiety disorder are helpful.

Irrational Fears

Anxiety can be attached to a specific situation or thing. Fear of flying or animals is an example. Phobia is fear out of proportion to the actual risk involved. This fear becomes overwhelming or disruptive. Social anxiety disorder is the fear of crowds or public speaking. It is an example of extreme anxiety.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder with attacks can present with severe anxiety symptoms. These may resemble a 'fight or flight' response from real danger. In contrast, feelings of fear and helplessness can immobilize persons. Symptoms of panic disorder include high blood pressure, rapid pulse, pounding heart, and breathing problems.

Chest and stomach pain, sweating, weakness, or dizziness may occur. Hand tingling or numbness is frequent. Extreme stress releases excess cortisol and adrenaline, creating these signs. Persons may develop a long-term panic attack — repeated panic attacks signal an anxiety or panic disorder.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be severe. These persons suffer severe anxiety from reliving a disturbing event. The trigger event may be trauma, abuse, or combat. Similarly, flashbacks may be trauma, violence, or the death of a loved one.

PTSD and Veterans

Many veterans carry PTSD from their harrowing time spent in combat. In contrast, the traumatic trigger might not be visible to others. PTSD is a stand-alone condition sharing some anxiety disorder features. Flashbacks may occur with other types of anxiety as well. The Florida Department of Health has now approved PTSD. It is, therefore, on the state's medical marijuana qualifying conditions list. This addition has many veterans rethinking medical marijuana for PTSD in Florida.