Do you find yourself frequently stressed out, anxious, or depressed? Stress can take a toll on your mental health and daily life. It can cause you to lose sleep, fail at tasks, and feel overwhelmed by everything. Fortunately, there are lots more ways that cannabis can help than further harm. In this article we’ll explore the relationship between stress and cannabis in depth. From understanding how cannabis affects the body to its ability to reduce stress-related symptoms like anxiety and depression, read on to learn more.
What is Stress?
Stress is a response to a perceived threat to the individual. This threat can be from external things like a job loss or relationship problems, or from how you perceive your own life. Acute stress can be a good thing. It can motivate us to take action and solve problems. But chronic stress has been linked to physical and mental health problems. These problems can include:
- Elevated blood pressure and cortisol – a stress hormone Hyperarousal – a feeling of being on edge that can cause anxiety
- Fatigue
- Poor memory
- Concentration issues
- Mood changes – such anxiety and depression
How does Cannabis Affect the Body?
Once cannabis enters the bloodstream, it binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, immune cells in the spleen, and cells in the pancreas. This causes the release of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters that activate the reward system and can lead to feelings of euphoria. Additionally, endocannabinoids activate the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, which signals the body to release hormones that regulate the metabolism, appetite, and immune system. There are many medicinal benefits of cannabinoids. CBD and THC in different strains of cannabis have many therapeutic properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-psychotic, anti-anxiety, and anti-stroke, to name a few. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the ingredient that gets people high. CBD, or cannabidiol, is non-psychoactive and has many medicinal benefits without affecting the high.
CBD and THC in Different Strains of Cannabis
Many strains of marijuana contain small amounts of one or more cannabinoids. CBD is one cannabinoid found in many strains. Some THC strains are also present, which have anti-anxiety effects. It’s difficult to find one strain of cannabis that helps with all stress issues. Different strains can have different levels of cannabinoids, varying effects, and different side effects. CBD strains are becoming more widely available and can be very helpful for many conditions. There’s a lot of debate about whether it’s better to consume CBD oil or the actual plant. The plant itself contains terpenes and other components that may work synergistically with CBD to provide additional benefits. However, for most conditions, ingesting high-CBD oil or CBD gummies is a great option.
Research Findings on How Marijuana Can Help With Anxiety and Depression
Research has found positive results for treating anxiety with cannabis. One review of 35 randomized controlled trials found CBD to be effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, with a 7-day trial resulting in an 8.8 point reduction on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). CBD was also reported to be effective in the treatment of social anxiety disorder, with a 6-week trial resulting in an 8.9 point reduction on the Social Anxiety Scale (SAS). Researchers have also found that THC and CBD work well together, with THC being more effective in treating anxiety and depression while CBD is better at treating pain and nausea.
There have been many studies that have looked at the impact of marijuana on depressive disorders. In one study, researchers looked at whether people who used cannabis in the past 6 months had different brain activity than those who did not use cannabis. Ultimately, researchers found that people who used cannabis had lower activity in areas of the brain associated with feelings of sadness and stress. Other studies have also looked at the impact of cannabis on anxiety, with similar results.
Conclusion
Stress is common in our everyday lives, but it is important to understand how to deal with it. While experiencing stress, it is important to know when to seek help, whether it is a therapist, doctor, or coach. Luckily, there are many ways that cannabis can help with stress and anxiety, including reducing symptoms of depression, inflammation, and stress. If you are looking for ways to reduce stress, there are lots more benefits that you can get from cannabis. Make sure to check back for new articles and information on how to reduce stress and live a healthier life. Visit BCMedichronic.co online dispensary for all your cannabis needs.