Marijuana is a drug that can have a lot of effects on your health. Some people use it to help them with problems like anxiety, depression or stress.
The drugs in cannabis, called cannabinoids, work on the body’s endocannabinoid system. The main cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
1. Reduces Stress
Aside from reducing anxiety, stress and depression, cannabis has also been shown to improve overall mental health. This is because it helps to tame our stress response systems and reduce the harmful effects that these responses can have on our overall physical and mental well-being.
Researchers have found that the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), lowers levels of cortisol and other stress hormones in the body. This is because THC acts as an anti-stress agent by activating CB1 receptors on the GABAergic neurons in the brain, causing them to release calming signals. In addition, low doses of THC can also inhibit the activity of glutamatergic neurons, which can reduce excitatory inputs to the brain and increase endocannabinoid production.
Several studies have also shown that THC inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines in the body. This can lead to a number of health benefits, including lowered risk of heart disease and chronic stress.
Another study shows that cannabis can reduce feelings of anxiety in patients suffering from PTSD. This is because tetrahydrocannabinol can act as an anti-anxiety drug by acting on the GABAergic and glutamatergic nerves in the brain. This is because these two neurotransmitters are associated with the development of anxiety and other mental health conditions.
Many people suffer from stress and anxiety, which can cause a wide range of negative effects on our lives. This is why it is so important to learn how to deal with these symptoms in an effective and healthy manner. For some, this can be as simple as taking a long walk or going to the gym. Other people find that they need a little more help.
There are a number of different types of marijuana strains that can be used for stress relief. Some may sedate the user while others offer a jolt of energy or euphoria. You can find out which strains work best for you by speaking with a professional at your local marijuana dispensary.
Regardless of which strain you choose, it is important to understand that it will work best for you based on your specific needs and preferences. However, it is safe to say that most people will find that cannabis can provide a significant amount of stress and anxiety reduction.
2. Reduces Anxiety
Whether you’re smoking, vaping or taking a tincture, cannabis can help to reduce anxiety. This is because it has been shown to interact with the endocannabinoid system in your brain to regulate different biological processes which can help to optimise your wellbeing.
The main compounds in cannabis that have this effect are THC and CBD, both of which are known to reduce anxiety. They act on the endocannabinoid receptors found in your brain and nervous system to produce their effects.
In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that specific cannabinoid receptors in the brain may play a role in anxiety prevention, namely the 2-arachidonylglycerol (AG) pathway. This is a pathway which can be impaired following stress, and studies have shown that when this pathway is restored, anxiety levels are reduced significantly.
However, it is important to note that this pathway does not exist in all people. In fact, it is only found in about 5% of the population.
There are also other factors which have been linked with the reduction of anxiety, including nutrition, exercise and a healthy weight. Those who practice these behaviours have been shown to have lower stress levels, lower blood pressure and improved sleep.
Medications such as antidepressants and other anti-anxiety medications are the most common form of treatment for anxiety disorders. These medications can be life-changing for many people, but they are not without their own drawbacks.
As such, a combination of natural practices and medication is often the best course of action for those suffering from anxiety disorders. The most effective natural practices include reducing stress through regular exercise, diet and meditation. It is also a good idea to speak to a qualified mental health professional to find out what the right treatments are for you and your particular symptoms.
3. Reduces Depression
Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects a large proportion of the world’s population. It can disrupt a person’s relationships with family, friends, and work, and may lead to suicide. It can occur with no apparent cause, but is more likely to strike when people have suffered through traumatic events or have undergone a significant change in their lives (such as unemployment, loss of a loved one, etc).
Symptoms of depression can be debilitating and can be difficult to manage. It can take months or even years to recover from a depressive episode and relapses can occur even after the initial period of improvement.
In addition to antidepressant medications, exercise is also an effective treatment for depression. It is believed that exercise improves nerve cell connections in the brain, which may help to relieve depressive symptoms.
Many studies have shown that aerobic exercise is a useful tool in reducing depression and its related symptoms, but it is also important to consider the efficacy of nonaerobic exercises such as weight training. For example, in a study of 40 women with depression who underwent a 12-week running or weight lifting program, results showed that participants had reduced BDI and HAM-D scores compared to those in the control group.
Other research shows that exercise can be as effective in reducing depression as antidepressants, although the effects are less dramatic for those with severe depression.
To prevent depression from developing, it is important to identify triggers for your moods and try to avoid them as much as possible. This includes not taking on too much work or social responsibilities, being in a stressful situation, having poor sleep, or going through certain stages of your menstrual cycle.
It is also a good idea to speak with a therapist about what may be causing you to feel depressed so that you can develop strategies to cope with your symptoms. This will help to reduce your chances of experiencing a depression episode and will also make it more likely that you will be able to get effective treatment.
4. Improves Sleep
Sleep is a basic human need, and many people struggle to get enough rest. More than one third of Americans don’t get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night, and about 3 in 10 experience insomnia at least some of the time.
Luckily, cannabis can help you fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. It has a calming effect on your mind and body, reducing stress and anxiety that can cause insomnia or prevent you from sleeping well in the first place.
It also reduces pain and helps you relax, which can be helpful for settling down before bed. The most effective cannabis products for sleep contain both THC and CBD, says Silas Wonderling, a pharmacist and general manager of RISE Dispensary in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
Wonderling says that when he meets patients who need help with sleep, he always asks them about their history of sleeping problems, and then prescribes a small dose to start. He recommends that new patients start with two puffs of an inhalable product, or a low-dose tincture, and then gradually increase the dose to determine their optimal sleep-inducing dose.
He also recommends that patients try a variety of different products before they find the right one for them, to ensure that they’re not missing out on any beneficial effects. He recommends inhalable products or tinctures as the preferred way to consume cannabis for sleep, because these methods are more predictable than edibles and can be ingested at any time.
For the most effective results, it’s important to use an indica strain. Roman notes that indica strains are more sedating and often have a higher percentage of THC. THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that gets you “high.”
But it’s also possible to overdose on marijuana, which can lead to unwanted side effects such as agitation and confusion, as well as increased heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, overuse of marijuana can worsen sleep disorders and lead to a dependency on it.
Wonderling says that when he sees patients for sleep, he often finds that they have an undiagnosed condition such as chronic pain or anxiety, which is keeping them from sleeping well. In these cases, he recommends trying an indica strain and starting with a low dose of THC.
