- If you’re thinking about trying cannabis for anxiety, start with strains like Cherry Wine or Granddaddy Purple, and avoid strains like Sour Diesel, Durban Poison, or Girl Scout Cookies.
- In general, choosing a low-THC, high-CBD strain is most effective for anxiety, but know that finding your perfect balance usually requires trial and error.
It’s easy to feel lost and alone when dealing with the stress, strain, and grief that an anxiety disorder can bring. But the truth is, you aren’t alone—in fact, an estimated 301 million people currently live with an anxiety disorder, making it the most common mental health disorder in the world.
This also means you have plenty of treatment paths to investigate throughout your mental health journey. From pharmaceutical drugs and therapy to natural remedies like medical cannabis, the world is your oyster.
You may have heard about the rising trend of cannabis for anxiety, and this is a route worth your attention. In fact, at TeleLeaf, we connect patients like you with medical professionals who can help you navigate the world of medical marijuana for anxiety treatment.
Of course, it’s important to do research before jumping into any new type of treatment. Keep reading to learn more about how anxiety and medical marijuana interact and which strains of marijuana you might want to avoid on your natural healing journey.
Manifestations of Anxiety
Anxiety is a highly personalized group of disorders, with each person’s anxiety manifesting uniquely.
Common anxiety disorders include:
- Social anxiety
- Agoraphobia
- Panic disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
Despite the differences in manifestation, there are still some general physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that many people living with anxiety must cope with.
Physical Symptoms
Some people are initially surprised to learn that anxiety has numerous physical manifestations. Considering the strong connection between body and mind, it makes sense to experience physical discomfort when your mental health is in disarray.
If you live with anxiety, you could deal with:
- Headaches, backaches, or other aches and pains
- Pins and needles feelings
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea or changes in bowel movements
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating, overheating, or other sudden temperature changes
The intensity, severity, duration, and combination of symptoms may change depending on your specific disorder or even depending on the day.
Mental and Emotional Symptoms
Of course, popular discussion of anxiety often focuses on the mental and emotional aspects.
Some of the most common effects are:
- Persistent feelings of dread
- Constant worry about scenarios that have not happened yet or the future in general
- Trouble focusing or concentrating
- Persistent negative moods or a negative point of view
- Feelings of restlessness
- Depressive episodes
- Fear that’s out of proportion with the situation at hand
Mentally, anxiety can take over your life without you realizing it, turning even the smallest of concerns into monumental problems. Fortunately, there are many treatment paths available—individuals often look toward therapy, pharmaceutical aid, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies like medical marijuana.
The History of Marijuana and Mental Health
Historically speaking, cannabis hasn’t always been treated as a taboo substance. In fact, studies today prove that marijuana has benefits—both documentable and measurable—for people living with many different physical and mental illnesses.
Here are just a few of its notable historical uses across the globe:
- Reduction of pain during labor
- Anesthetics for doctors, especially during wartime
- Treatment for gastrointestinal issues
- Supportive treatment of PTSD and other types of anxiety
Unfortunately, the Controlled Substances Act and subsequent drug panic of the 1970s demonized marijuana and turned society against this natural remedy. This is why it’s hard to find study-backed evidence supporting marijuana use; many government-funded studies of the past had an agenda supporting the Controlled Substances Act.
These days, however, many people with anxiety experience relief through medical cannabis, and anecdotal evidence continues to support the positive effects of its use.
So, can marijuana help with anxiety? For many patients, the answer is yes.
If you want to explore this path, TeleLeaf can help you start your journey and offer guidance along the way, including providing information about different strains and their potential effects.
What Strains Are Detrimental for People Living with Anxiety?
Before you start your cannabis journey, it’s helpful to know the two cannabinoid compounds you’ll see most often: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the compound that produces the cerebral high (i.e., leaves the consumer feeling high). CBD can create a body high by relaxing the muscles and inducing a feeling of peace or even sleepiness, but it doesn’t feature the psychoactive effects of THC.
Generally speaking, studies and anecdotal evidence show that too much THC isn’t always a good thing, especially when it comes to treating anxiety. In fact, the combination of high-energy stimulation and psychoactive effects can exacerbate anxiety and make symptoms worse for some patients.
With that said, here are some strains you may want to avoid in your early experimentation with medical marijuana as a treatment for anxiety:
- Sour Diesel: This strain is extremely high in THC and is known for its intense cognitive effects. Unfortunately, for people with anxiety, this can lead to racing thoughts, unpleasantly heightened senses, and the feeling of being mentally overwhelmed.
- Durban Poison: This strain is notorious for its energy-boosting effects, especially in higher doses. Though some people report feeling euphoria with this strain, it can easily trigger sensations of unease instead.
- Green Crack: Aptly named for the intense and immediate head rush that follows consumption, this strain is better off avoided by people with anxiety or THC sensitivity. Positive experiences can easily veer into feelings of discomfort or panic.
- Girl Scout Cookie: This Indica-dominant strain is known for its relaxing effects, but it’s so potent that it can also have psychedelic effects that can trigger anxiety or panic. The potential imbalance between physical relaxation and mental alertness can also cause unease.
- Super Silver Haze: This strain offers a mixture of strong psychoactive effects and energy-boosting effects, which can sometimes result in enhanced creativity and feelings of euphoria. For people with anxiety, however, it can increase restlessness and unease.
Remember: Try low doses at first. By testing your tolerance in this way, you’ll reduce the risk of experiencing any negative, anxiety-inducing side effects.
What Strains Can Help With Anxiety?
Of course, this isn’t to say all strains of marijuana are unsuitable for anxiety. In fact, many people with anxiety have positive experiences with marijuana.
If you’re looking for cannabis for anxiety, focus on CBD-heavy strains. A few good choices to start with include:
- Sour Tsunami
- Harle-Tsu
- Cannatonic
- Granddaddy Purple
- Cherry Wine
- Blackberry Kush
Keep an eye out for strains that focus on body relaxation, sensations of peace, and calming effects. A good balance between THC and CBD might suit you, or a high-CBD, low-THC balance could do the trick. Talk to medical cannabis professionals and members of your community while experimenting—it’s a great way to find your path with guidance.
Combat Anxiety With TeleLeaf
At TeleLeaf, we understand the struggle of going through life with the weight of anxiety dragging you down. We also know the importance of creating a path toward healing with our own hands.
Traditional methods of handling anxiety like therapy and pharmaceutics aren’t to be overlooked, but you don’t have to rely on them alone—especially if they don’t support all of your healing goals. Incorporate the use of medical marijuana to see what a difference it can make in managing your anxiety symptoms and improving your quality of life.
To learn more about medical marijuana, start the application process for your medical marijuana card, and take back control of your healing journey, reach out to TeleLeaf. We’re here to help you step into a future full of hope and healing.
Sources:Â
World Health Organization. Anxiety disorders.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders
The Hill. Does cannabis help with anxiety?
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3991131-does-cannabis-help-with-anxiety
Source. Medical Marijuana and Mental Health: Cannabis Use in Psychiatric Practice.
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/medical-marijuana-and-mental-health-cannabis-use-psychiatric-practice
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