Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent form of mental illness in modern America, affecting a staggering 40 million adults, which accounts for 18 percent of the national population. These disorders are characterized by intense feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness, and can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. In some cases, anxiety can even manifest in physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, tingling in the hands and feet, shortness of breath, nausea, tense muscles, and insomnia. These symptoms can be debilitating, painful, and frightening, making it difficult for individuals to function in their daily lives. However, some patients have reported that using cannabis has helped them alleviate their symptoms and regain control of their lives.
One such patient is Joely Balazs, a residential property assessor from New Brunswick, Canada. Balazs has been struggling with anxiety for the past 23 years, and at times, it was so severe that she had thoughts of ending her life. When she had a breakdown in her doctor’s office, her doctor suggested she try medical marijuana. Balazs started using cannabis edibles, specifically cannabis-infused coconut oil, and noticed a significant improvement in her symptoms. She describes feeling like she was starting over and credits the uplifting effects of cannabis for helping her deal with her anxiety and underlying issues.
Balazs is not alone in finding relief from anxiety through cannabis. Dr. Perry Solomon, the chief medical officer at HelloMD, an online portal connecting medical cannabis patients to doctors, says that anxiety is one of the top three conditions patients report treating with cannabis. Additionally, research published in the August 2017 issue of the scientific journal Psychopharmacology shows that using cannabis can reduce stress reactions by lowering the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, and decreasing subjective stress ratings from patients.
However, Dr. Solomon advises caution for patients considering edible cannabis treatments for their anxiety. He explains that edibles are less predictable than other methods of consuming cannabis, such as smoking, vaping, or using tinctures. The effects of edibles take longer to kick in and last for a more extended period, making them less effective for treating acute anxiety. Additionally, the absorption of edibles can vary based on factors such as what else the individual has eaten and the time of day, making it more challenging to control the dosage.
Despite these potential challenges, some chronic anxiety patients, like Kathryn Grant, one of the founders of the online magazine “The Stoned Housewife,” have found success with edible cannabis treatments. Grant says that using cannabis has helped her manage her anxiety and has allowed her to live a more fulfilling life. As more research is conducted on the effects of cannabis on anxiety, doctors are exploring new ways to treat this common mental illness.
