Mental illness without the proper treatment can make everyday life a real battle. If you are struggling with mental health issues like depression or anxiety, the first thing you need to remember is that you are not alone. Several people around us face such mental health issues frequently. One of the emerging treatments for anxiety and depression is medical marijuana. The effectiveness is limited but is excellent for treating your mental health. However, it is essential to discuss with your doctor the symptoms you are experiencing before consuming cannabis directly.
Anxiety is a type of illness that causes restlessness, sleeping trouble, and constant fear. It becomes difficult for an individual to concentrate on their work if they suffer from anxiety. Some people experience anxiety disorder, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate as symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes intense sadness and a lack of interest in life and activities that you once enjoyed. It can cause tiredness or lack of energy, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, difficulty focusing on things, and loss of pleasure in many activities.
Anxiety and depression can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. You can also treat these illnesses by making lifestyle changes such as proper sleep, a healthy diet, and frequent exercise. Additionally, marijuana has been a beneficial option for treating anxiety and depression.
The main ingredient in marijuana is the compound cannabidiol, which helps in reducing anxiety. However, there are no psychoactive effects produced by CBD. THC and CBD provide results by binding to interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The CBD present in marijuana helps in providing potential benefits, especially for panic disorder.
It is advised to start with a low dosage and increase it after some time if needed. Cannabis with lower THC is recommended for anxiety. The best medical marijuana strains that are helpful for anxiety are ACDC, Jack Herer, Pennywise, Canna-TSU, Grandaddy Purple, Northern Lights, and Harlequin.
There are two types of cannabis strains commonly known as Indica or Sativa. Indica strains contain low levels of THC and are known to offer a relaxing effect on the body. The Sativa strains have higher THC levels and have a more energizing effect on the body. When using medical marijuana for treating anxiety and depression, it is essential to choose low-THC content cannabis for improved results. Higher doses of THC can increase your anxiety and cause more health problems.
Apart from anxiety, marijuana has potential benefits to treat depression as well. The chemical endocannabinoids present in marijuana affect the individual’s emotions and behavior. The CBD and THC interact with endocannabinoid receptors to restore the system and reduce the symptoms of depression. Consumption of medical marijuana is helpful for immediate or short-term relief of symptoms of depression. It has chemicals that can be beneficial to boost your mood. High dosages of the compound may worsen depressive symptoms.
If a person is struggling with depression, they should consume marijuana strains with lower THC content. The individual should try using a low-dosage strain with CBD and increase intake if needed. The best marijuana strains for treating depression are Blue Dream, Pineapple Express, Girl Scout Cookies, Blackberry Kush, and XJ-13.
Marijuana is not legalized in all states. Do your research before consuming medical marijuana; make sure to check your state’s regulations to know whether you can obtain a medical marijuana card for treating anxiety or depression. It is equally important to choose a well-known and reliable supplier of quality marijuana products.
