For ages, people have turned to cannabis as a means of alleviating anxiety. The use of cannabis to treat anxiety has been the subject of an increasing amount of scientific study in recent years. Based on these findings, cannabis might help alleviate anxiety for certain people.
The endocannabinoid system is one of the primary targets of cannabis’s anxiolytic effects. Anxiety, pain, and mood are just a few of the many physiological processes that the endocannabinoid system helps to regulate. One of the many impacts that cannabinoids, the active ingredients in cannabis, can have is anxiety reduction. These chemicals attach to endocannabinoid receptors throughout the body and brain.
Main Parts of the ECS
The three primary parts that make up the ECS are:
The term “endocannabinoids” refers to a class of compounds the human body produces independently. Anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the two endocannabinoids that receive the most excellent attention.
Proteins on the surface of cells, known as cannabinoid receptors, are present in every part of the body. Cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2 are the most common. In contrast to CB2 receptors, which are more prevalent in the immune and peripheral nervous systems, CB1 receptors are primarily located in the brain and central nervous systems. Enzymes play a crucial role in both the production and breakdown of endocannabinoids.
The ECS Model
Communication between cells is the key to the ECS’s operation. In response to stimuli like pain, inflammation, or stress, cells secrete endocannabinoids. After that, endogenous cannabinoids attach to cannabinoid receptors on adjacent cells, setting off a cascade of reactions.
To alleviate pain, elevate mood, or encourage sleep, for instance, endocannabinoids can attach to brain cannabinoid receptors. They can also inhibit the immune response or decrease inflammation by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the immune system. Similar to the endogenous cannabinoids found in the human body, cannabis includes several cannabinoids. Cannabinoids have diverse effects due to their complex interactions with the ECS.
The cannabinoid THC, for instance, may bind to CB1 receptors in the brain, causing intoxication and other psychoactive effects, including altered perception and feelings of well-being. Another cannabinoid that binds to CB1 receptors is CBD; however, unlike THC, it has no intoxicating effects.
Instead, CBD is believed to exert its effects by interacting with other bodily receptors, such as the serotonin receptor.
More and more research is pointing to cannabis as a potential remedy for anxiety. So, for instance, a 2018 meta-analysis of research indicated that cannabis effectively reduced anxiety symptoms in patients experiencing a range of anxiety disorders, such as GAD, SAD, and PTSD.
Keep in mind that cannabis will not magically alleviate your anxiety. Be mindful that cannabis may cause specific unpleasant side effects, such as a lack of saliva production, red eyes, vertigo, and clumsiness. Discuss the pros and downsides of cannabis use with your doctor if you are thinking about taking it to alleviate your anxiety.
Consider the Following
To alleviate anxiety, consider the following when taking cannabis:
To get the desired effect, begin with a low dose and gradually increase it. Because it might amplify anxiety symptoms in specific individuals, it is best to avoid smoking or vaping cannabis. You might want to look into CBD products; these can lessen the impact of THC’s intoxicating effects. Make sure you are in a safe and supervised area when using cannabis. To learn the proper and safe way to consume cannabis, see your physician. Never forget that cannabis might have harmful interactions with other drugs you are taking. If you are on any other medicines, you must see your doctor before using cannabis.
