Louisiana’s medical marijuana program is one of the most accepting in the Country for patients with qualifying conditions, allowing doctors to recommend cannabis for any condition they feel a patient would benefit from.
Anxiety is a complex problem, as it can be both a symptom or a condition, acute or chronic, and it differs wildly between patients. Some people experience temporary heightened anxiety when using cannabis, while others experience decreased anxiety when using cannabis.
In this article, we’ll talk about cannabis and anxiety, how cannabis can help with anxiety, and why some patients experience temporary anxiety with cannabis.
Different Types of Anxiety & How Medical Marijuana Can Help or Hurt
Anxiety Can Come in Many Different Forms
Anxiety is a tricky problem because it exists in such a variable position. People experience anxiety uniquely, with some people having short bursts of temporary anxiety while others experience long-term or chronic anxiety.
Anxiety can arise because of past trauma, exciting circumstances, and even completely randomly, leaving patients feeling nervous, upset, and worrisome.
A person’s fight or flight response can also be triggered by anxiety, which can lead to complications such as panic attacks, heart palpitations, and fainting. Chronic anxiety may even lead to heart disease, a worsening immune system, and depression.
Though acute or temporary anxiety may be less subject to treatment, long-term or chronic anxiety may be diagnosed as a condition such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which can require consistent treatment.
Medical Marijuana & Anxiety Vary for Different People
Just as anxiety itself is a relative symptom or condition, cannabis can interact with anxiety differently among people.
Some people can experience decreased levels of anxiety after using cannabis, while other people may have increased anxiety with medical marijuana use.
In many cases, over consuming cannabis can lead to increased anxiety regardless of a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, so dosing and tolerance play a big role in how medical marijuana interacts with anxiety.
As with any drug or substance, it’s important to know how you personally react to medications before diving into the deep end, and that’s especially true when it comes to medical marijuana and anxiety.
Many people find that an appropriate dosage of medical marijuana can effectively help reduce anxiety, and a consistent treatment plan may help suppress anxiety levels for many medical marijuana patients. This is fairly relative depending on your tolerance and biological agreeableness to medical marijuana.
How to Use Medical Marijuana for Anxiety
Stick to Low THC & Indica Strains
If you’ve found that small amounts of medical marijuana help with your anxiety, there are some tips and tricks to maximize the effects.
Low THC cannabis products and strains that lean on the indica side are reportedly some of the better options for patients with anxiety, because they provide less intense psychoactive or mental effects and commonly promote relaxation and calming effects.
High THC products and sativa strains may cause discomfort or increased anxiety in some patients, and it’s best to avoid these products if you have anxiety and especially if you experience increased anxiety when using cannabis.
Tinctures, cannabis flower, high CBD strains, low THC strains, and indica strains are great options for medical marijuana patients who have anxiety. The activation time and effects will be unique among different cannabis products, though these types of products typically provide less aggressive psychoactive effects and promote a smoother, more relaxed experience.
Edibles, concentrates, sativas, and high THC strains may cause heightened anxiety and should probably be avoided if you have an anxiety disorder or experience increased anxiety with medical marijuana.
Microdose Medical Marijuana for Anxiety
Medical marijuana can be used effectively to reduce anxiety levels for many patients, and cannabis can be used to treat anxiety attacks or to prevent anxiety attacks.
For preventing anxiety, patients may find microdosing to be the best option, because regulated doses of small amounts of cannabis have been shown to moderately improve anxiety levels.
Large, frequent doses of cannabis may be overwhelming for patients with anxiety, though if you find that larger doses can stop or reduce an anxiety attack this may be an appropriate option.
At the end of the day, medical marijuana can be used in a variety of ways that are completely relative to the person and their type of anxiety. And Louisiana offers an open medical marijuana program that gives patients access to dosages that are suited to them. There are no laws or restrictions on how patients dose their cannabis medicine.
Medical marijuana can be taken in small doses throughout the day to effectively prevent anxiety, or it can be taken to reduce or stop an anxiety attack for patients that see benefits from this method.
The most important factor in using medical marijuana for anxiety, though, is knowing your tolerance and having a comprehensive treatment plan. Treating anxiety with medical marijuana is tricky and requires not only getting the dosage correct but getting the timing of the dosage right as well.
Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Certification
Louisiana offers medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions. In Louisiana, a physician can recommend medical marijuana for any symptom or condition in which the doctor believes a patient will see benefit. Getting your medical marijuana certification in Louisiana can even be done online from the comfort of your own home!
Getting a medical marijuana card in Louisiana is easier than ever, so beat the lines and get your medical marijuana certification in Louisiana today. You can even get certified for medical marijuana online for ease of use and convenience.
For questions about Louisiana’s medical marijuana program or how to become a medical marijuana patient in Louisiana, consult with one of our trusted doctors and book an online medical marijuana appointment today!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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