The effect of stress, anxiety and depression on humans is not hidden. We all know how these factors can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Stress and anxiety are an imminent part of human life; whether a teenager or an adult, you need to combat stress and anxiety at some point. Some people capable of handling stress can raise their performance or be encouraged to take up new challenges. On the other hand, for some people, when stress gets overwhelming, it results in the feeling of anxiety and sickness.
Stress and anxiety are the common reasons why people consume cannabis. Most people use cannabis daily to cope with stress, while some depend on medical cannabis to deal with and ease their stress. Now you can get the idea of how popular cannabis has become in managing and coping with stress and anxiety. But does it help? With the help of this blog post, we will find the answer to the question. So keep on reading.
What Are Stress And Anxiety Disorders?
Stress and anxiety are related to each other. Stress can be defined as the body’s internal response to an external provocation. A strain occurs when worries about a superficial annoyance prevail, even when the external source of stress is not present. However, stress and anxiety have common symptoms like sleeplessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, digestive issues, etc.
Although it is entirely normal when a person is stressed out or anxious from time to time, ongoing stress can develop stress and anxiety disorders. However, people suffering from these disorders undergo stress and anxiety in devastating or crippling ways, resulting in them avoiding everyday and common situations that can trigger their symptoms.
Though there are many different diseases related to stress and anxiety, the most common ones are listed below-
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)-
People having OCD experience repeated anxiety-provoking thoughts or repetitive behaviours. These so-called compulsives only offer temporary relief, which, if not performed, can increase anxiety levels. However, repetitive behaviour can include washing hands, cleaning or checking for locks.
- GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)-
Generalized anxiety disorder can be defined as excessive worry even though there is little or nothing to offend it.
- Panic Disorders-
The panic disorder generally leads to unexpected and repeated episodes of severe fear assisted by physical symptoms. These symptoms can include shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, and chest pain.
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)-
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that usually develops after a terrible incident. The symptoms of PTSD can include difficulty in sleeping due to night fear or experiencing distressing previous memory. However, people with PTSD often avoid situations that can trigger their trauma.
- SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder)-
Social phobia is defined by overwhelming stress and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social events. Some people with social phobia can experience stress in a certain way, such as public speaking. This disorder can also be broad because a person can experience symptoms around people.
How Can Cannabis Help With Stress And Anxiety?
When it comes to finding out how cannabis can relieve a person’s stress or anxiety, it usually depends from person to person, as different people can have different experiences. For some people, cannabis offers quiet relaxation after a stressful day at work. So such people find dispensaries in Arizona to get cannabis daily. At the same time, some others feel that a quick puff can cause paranoia. This means cannabis can both ease and increase stress and anxiety.
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The Role Of Cannabinoids:
Most of the research finding out the effects of cannabis on stress and anxiety mainly focuses on two significant cannabinoids present in cannabis, CBD and THC. According to the studies conducted, it is concluded that CBD can soothe anxiety and stress, while THC has some intoxicating cannabinoids that can increase pressure when consumed in large quantities. However, some surveys have also suggested that combining these two can develop different effects. Let’s say- real-life cannabis users generally appear to favour whole-plant cannabis for helping promote relaxation. The whole plant formulation has a higher ratio of THC to CBD. Moreover, if we consider the minor role of cannabinoids, we will understand that they may also help to relieve stress and anxiety.
The importance of dosage:
The dosage plays a vital role in how cannabis works on stress and anxiety, specifically when it comes to THC. THC is very dose-dependent. Experts believe that biphasic interaction with CB1 receptors in the body is mainly responsible, which means that low and high doses of cannabis have different effects on the human body. At the same time, the high quantities of cannabis appear to incline anxiety. If the user increases the THC dose, they will feel tense and anxious. However, these effects are more noticeable among non-users instead among those who consume THC frequently.
Terpenes and Cannabis:
The terpenes found in cannabis can also help to promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Moreover, terpenes can play a significant role in triggering the anti-anxiety properties of the plant. However, the combined effect of these elements creates a beneficial collaboration known as the entourage effect that contributes to the relaxing and uplifting properties of the plant.
Final Thoughts:
People who are cannabis users depend on various herbs that can ease their symptoms of anxiety and stress. However, you must consult a doctor if you use cannabis to reduce your stress and anxiety. Though the correct dosage can provide intense relaxation, the excessive dosage can result in harmful effects. So be aware of what you are consuming. We hope you find the above blog post helpful.
