4 Things To Know Before Treating Anxiety Disorders With Medical Marijuana
Stress is an unavoidable part of life. From financial worries and job issues to family commitments and daily tasks, it is easy to see how so many people are affected by stress and anxiety. This everyday stress may be common, but it can lead to more involved anxiety disorders. Considering an estimated 40 million adults between the ages of 18 and 54 suffer with anxiety disorders, you may require treatment for severe anxiety at one point in time. Prescription medications may be the most common option for managing severe anxiety, but most of these medicines cause unhealthy and uncomfortable side effects. Thankfully, medical marijuana offers enormous benefits for individuals suffering with a variety of conditions, including anxiety. If you have an anxiety disorder, use this guide before treating your condition with medical marijuana.
Know Your Specific State's Laws
Using marijuana to treat medical issues is not legally permitted in every state. Before you use marijuana for your anxiety, you must check with your local state's government to ensure it is legal.
More and more states pass laws legalizing the use of marijuana for most medical conditions. Each state has its own legislation regarding use and possession of marijuana, as well. For example, Pennsylvania allows users to possess a 30-day supply, while Arkansas allows only 3 ounces per 14-day period.
Consulting Your Doctor Is Still Important
Most people know when they are experiencing anxiety. You may worry excessively and lack the ability to sleep. You may also have headaches, back and neck pain, digestive difficulty, and panic attacks. Although these are common signs, anxiety disorder should still be diagnosed by your doctor.
To ensure you receive your medical marijuana in a legal manner, visit your doctor for medical testing to determine if you have an anxiety disorder that requires treatment. Your doctor will also decide if you are a good candidate for issuing you a medical marijuana card.
Understand the Cannabinoids
If you are new to the world of marijuana, you may find yourself surprised and overwhelmed by the different plants and strains available for use. Each strain has a different combination of balance of cannabinoids, which are the chemical compounds of marijuana. These compounds contain the essential medicinal properties that can ease your anxiety.
THC and CBD are the most common cannabinoids. While THC gives you that feeling of being high, CBD balances the THC while reducing physical symptoms of anxiety. These symptoms may include muscle and back tension, headaches, and insomnia. The intensity of cannabinoids also vary from strain to strain, adding to the difficulty of choosing one option.
One of the best ways to find what works for your anxiety disorder is to try a few different stains. This process of trial and error may be timely, but it is the best option for the effective treatment of your anxiety.
Choose an Ingestion Method
Prescription medications are most always taken orally in a pill or tablet form, but medical marijuana can be ingested a few different ways.
Professionals at a dispensary will educate you on your available options. Rolling into a joint, which is similar to a cigarette, or adding to a pipe are both common methods of ingesting marijuana. If you prefer a non-inhalation method, add to a vaporizer.
Many dispensaries offer food and beverages that have been infused or prepared with marijuana. Cookies, candy, cakes, sauces, teas, and even bottled water are all available with medicinal marijuana.
Treating your anxiety without pain and harmful prescription medications is possible. With this guide and the help of your physician, you will have the proper education needed to manage your anxiety disorder with legal weed.