Louisiana has been the most progressive state in the South when it comes to cannabis use, and its comprehensive medical marijuana program for patients with approved conditions in Louisiana is complemented by decriminalization as well.
While many patients are looking at medical marijuana to help with their chronic or terminal illnesses, some patients may experience either decreased or increased anxiety when using cannabis products.
In this article, we’ll cover how to calm anxiety when using medical marijuana and offer some suggestions for those who experience heightened anxiety when using cannabis!
The Relationship Between Cannabis & Anxiety
Cannabis has a unique relationship with anxiety. In many cases, cannabis use can help decrease anxiety, and in other cases cannabis use may cause a temporary increase
in anxiety.
While scientists and doctors have looked at cannabis for its potential therapeutic value in treating anxiety, results have been a mixed bag – though many patients see improvement with anxiety long-term, some patients experience heightened anxiety during cannabis use.
But especially for those who are new to cannabis, are trying cannabis products for the first time, or for those who are trying out higher THC products, anxiety can sometimes be heightened with cannabis use.
There can be any number of reasons why some patients experience heightened anxiety while using cannabis, and often it is the case that patients who are experiencing anxiety only when using cannabis may fall into one of the following categories:
· A patient is using products with too much THC content
· A patient is unfamiliar with, or afraid of the effects of cannabis
· A patient is using a dosage that is too large
· A patient is using the wrong kind of cannabis product
· A patient is prone to heightened fear of the unknown due to trauma or psychological reasons
Identifying What is Causing Anxiety with Cannabis Use
To dissect how to curb anxiety when using cannabis products, it’s critical to identify the
reasons why anxiety is present. This may be a difficult task for some to accomplish, considering that heightened anxiety can cause unpleasant thoughts or feelings, and objectively trying to determine what those thoughts or feelings are can be an uncomfortable experience.
For the purposes of this article, we will analyze temporary heightened anxiety that is experienced only when using cannabis.
How to Curb Heightened Anxiety When Using Cannabis
Heightened temporary anxiety when using cannabis can come in many different forms. It can be in response to your awareness of bodily functions, such as heart rate or breathing changes, or it can arise because of new or intrusive thoughts that may occur as a result of the psychoactive properties of cannabis.
Symptoms of consuming too much THC include:
· Difficulty conversing
· Confusion and memory problems
· Heightened anxiety
· High or low blood pressure
· Nausea
· Panic attacks
· Paranoia
· Poor coordination
· Rapid heart rate
Take the Smallest Dose of THC Necessary to Treat Symptoms Effectively
In many cases, heightened temporary anxiety can often be traced back to using products with too much THC, such as edibles. Ingesting the right amount of THC can be a very pleasant experience, offering both relief and a calm disposition.
Ingesting too much THC can cause a range of problems that will in fact increase anxiety. Although these symptoms won’t likely physically harm you, people can become somewhat scared of cannabis when taking too much THC.
The first step in reducing temporary heightened anxiety when using cannabis is to identify how much THC you are ingesting. Try reducing your THC consumption to the smallest dosage required for psychoactive effects, or try products that can help offset the psychoactive properties of THC, such as products that are high in CBD and CBG.
Especially for new patients, or patients that are unfamiliar with the effects of cannabis, the smallest dosage of psychoactive compounds is recommended. Products with very high levels of THC should be avoided until a person has built enough tolerance and familiarity with the effects of cannabis to be comfortable with its effects.
Change Up Your Cannabis Products and Get Familiar with Them!
If you’re still experiencing temporary heightened anxiety when using cannabis products
that don’t contain high levels of THC, it’s time to look at the basics of cannabis products.
Understanding the difference between sativa and indica based cannabis products can make a huge impact on which cannabis products you’re choosing.
Sativa strains of cannabis are considered to have more cerebral effects and are often used for creativity and changing your perspective, but sativas may also contribute more to anxiety than its counterpart strain, indica.
Indica strains are often more physically effective, offering relief for chronic pain, and changes to your perception of pain and limb functions. Indicas offer less cerebral effects and are not linked to increased anxiety in the same way that sativa strains are.
Switching Strains
If you’ve been trying out sativa strains, it might be time to switch it up with an indica strain to see if the effects are more agreeable to your system. Many sativa strains are known to cause heightened anxiety, such as Acid OG, Green Crack, Trainwreck, and Durban Poison.
These kinds of sativa strains are really meant for patients with high tolerances that require strong acting medication; and they are not necessarily designed for people trying cannabis for the first time, or for those who are prone to anxiety already.
Discover Your Go-To Strain, Too!
And one of the most important factors in trying to reduce temporary heightened anxiety when using cannabis is with familiarity. Becoming familiar with how one particular strain acts on your body consistently can offer a world of relief for those who are prone to fear of the unknown.
For example, if you know that your favorite strain often causes your heart rate to increase slightly, while that might cause some anxiety in the first few attempts, after a while you will come to recognize this as a property of that particular strain as opposed to being a scary or unfamiliar effect.
By becoming familiar with a strain that doesn’t initially make you terribly uncomfortable, reducing your dosage of THC, and introducing products that are high in CBD, many patients have found relief from temporarily heightened anxiety when using cannabis.
Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Certification
Temporary heightened anxiety can be a problem when trying to use cannabis as a medication for the first time. By lowering your dose and complementing the cannabis products with CBD products, many patients have been able to find the right way that cannabis works for them.
Louisiana makes getting a medical marijuana certification simple and stress-free, and you
can even get certified 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! Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (833) 253-2943 to talk to our patient support representatives and get your questions answered first!
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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