Very much a touchy and subjective topic, researchers now claim that there is a “right” way of treating anxiety with marijuana. We’ve heard countless stories from customers as to how marijuana has changed their lives (including their mental health) for the better. We still believe that there is no “one size fits all” for anxiety help but it never hurts to look at what the latest scientific studies have to say.
Surely, you’ve read at least one or two articles about treating anxiety with marijuana. Especially with COVID on the loose, mental health appears to be the number one topic in discussion amongst friends, therapists, and researchers. We’re willing to go above and beyond to find something to take the edge off, to make our dark days disappear.
Before we go any further, we must stress that marijuana cannot “cure” or “fix” anxiety. The best it can do is help you temporarily overcome symptoms associated with mental health issues. Now, let’s look at what the latest research has to say…
The Less Is More Approach
According to Washington State University, a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that marijuana can “significantly reduce self-reported levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in the short term.” Great news, everybody! There is one caveat, though.
The study claims that marijuana is only useful in treating anxiety if you practice the “less is more” approach. Beginner users prescribed medical marijuana often have an easier time with this than recreational users, who frequently smoke multiple bowls a day.
After a certain marijuana threshold, THC behaves in a counterintuitive manner to make you more anxious, paranoid, and possibly even disorientated. Lower doses of THC often promote calmness, positive cerebral energy, increased motivation, and even a care-free attitude once you reach that “stoned” level.
Which Is More Beneficial: CBD or THC?
Within the past five or so years, CBD has taken over marijuana products with a hurricane-like force. People who never touched weed a single day in their lives want to try CBD products for themselves, their pets, and their elderly family members. The miracle that is CBD claims to help users overcome anxiety…but how does it compare to THC products?
Once upon a time, we heard that users with anxiety should leave high-THC products at the door or stay away from the chemical compound altogether. Now, science suggests that a 1:1 ratio is best for treating anxiety to a certain degree. You can find this 1:1 ratio in marijuana strains and edibles.
Marijuana Is Not Enough
As we mentioned earlier, marijuana on its own is not enough in treating anxiety. More server cases may require the addition of
- Therapy
- Support Groups
- Pharmaceuticals
- Meditation/Exercise
- Nutritional Diet
- Journaling/Daily Mental Health Logs
Mental health experts say that repetition and consistency are the two leading factors in a healthy, happy life. Based on this perspective, it’s not enough to attend therapy once and call it a day. Nor is it enough to hit the gym once a month and expect progress.
Treating anxiety takes regular, consistent work on a daily basis, and it may not depend on marijuana consumption alone. It’s time to drop the stigma surrounding therapy and pharmaceutical drugs once and for all.
What’s Helped You Overcome Anxiety?
At one point or another, we’ve all experienced anxiety on a range of subtle nervousness to a panic attack. The majority of us fall somewhere in the middle where you feel anxious but do not feel obliged to seek medical, professional help.
In these cases, marijuana can help in treating anxiety but only to a certain degree. All the effects of marijuana are temporary, and eventually, you will return to your usual self once the buzz wears off.
If you have any anxiety-helping tips of your own, we’d love to hear them! Please leave a comment down below to help others overcome their mental struggles and live a happier life. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.