Anxiety Disorder

While all human beings experience anxiety throughout their lives, Anxiety Disorders are a set of mental illnesses characterized by chronic and overwhelming emotions of fear, anxiousness, restlessness, and crippling worrying. Examples of Anxiety Disorders include: Panic Disorder (which may cause complications of the heart); Social Anxiety Disorder; Selective Mutism (an inability to speak during specific but otherwise normal situations); various Phobias; Agoraphobia; Anxiety associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Substance Induced Anxiety (alcohol abuse; drug abuse; opiate abuse; and even medication induced); and Generalized Anxiety Disorders which run the gamut of social hangups; disproportionate thinking; unhealthy obsessions; and so on.

These ailments are very debilitating and they are a major obstacle that sufferers face preventing them from leading a normal life. Resulting symptoms of these disorders include: problems with sleeping (insomnia); excessive sweating; irrational panicking; physical numbness; dizziness and nausea; heart palpitations; an inability to stay still and stay calm; painful muscle tensions and cramps; shortness of breath; and an inability to act or perform simple tasks.

Anxiety Disorders may either be developed through significant stressful incidents or situations in a sufferer’s life, or they may be hereditary. Thankfully, there are numerous therapies and medications that may help an individual treat and possibly rid themselves of their disorder.

Using Cannabis to Treat Anxiety Disorders

Cannabis is a complex medicinal plant that may actually be used to treat a variety of debilitating symptoms caused by a surprisingly large number of ailments. It’s usefulness as a non-lethal medicine (you cannot die from an overdose of cannabis) cannot be overstated and it’s versatility in terms of how it can be consumed and as to how it can be useful for so many illnesses is something to be excited about. However, it is important to remember that consulting with your primary care physician should be your first priority when considering incorporating cannabis into one’s medical regiment and that cannabis is to be used as an adjunct therapy and not a replacement. It is also your responsibility to communicate with your doctor as to how your use of cannabis has affected your health and of your progress with utilizing medical cannabis.

Currently, much of the ongoing research regarding cannabis’ ability to help with reducing anxiety has been focused on the powerful anxiolytic (anti-anxiety and anti-panic) properties of Cannabidiol (CBD). Overall, exciting studies have shown that cannabis may be quite useful for treating individuals suffering from Anxiety Disorders for the following reasons: significantly reducing anxiety itself; helping to manage possible depression associated with the anxiety disorder; helping to reduce nausea during a panic attack; assisting with sleep should the anxiety disorder cause insomnia; and with preventing possible psychosis.

Beneficial Cannabinoids and Terpenoids Useful for Treating Anxiety Disorders

The cannabis plant offers a plethora of therapeutic benefits and contains cannabinoids and terpenoid compounds that are useful for treating some of the symptoms caused by an Anxiety Disorder. While much of the interest in treating an Anxiety Disorder with cannabis involves CBD, the following chart denotes which cannabinoids and terpenoids also work synergistically with each other for possible therapeutic benefit.