Why does cannabis help combat anxiety if it increases paranoia?

In the United States, 40 million people suffer from anxiety disorders each year, representing 12.1% of the population—slightly less than in France, where the rate is 15.1%. Whether it’s social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress disorder, all of these conditions can be debilitating. By comparison, fewer people suffer from arthritis—the most common cause of chronic pain—than from anxiety.

Classic solutions for combating anxiety include the prescription of antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, but American patients are increasingly turning to safer and more effective alternatives, notably medical cannabis.

It might seem ironic that a plant known to induce mild (or even more) feelings of paranoia reduces sensations of paranoia. But it seems to work for a number of patients. The difference is that people use cannabis to feel normal, not to «get high.».

For many, using cannabis stems from the inability to tolerate commonly prescribed medications. For instance, antidepressants are of no help if anxiety doesn't stem from depression. These treatments may work for some, but the side effects are sometimes worse than the anxiety symptoms themselves: fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and in more severe cases, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.

The fact that he is It's impossible to overdose on cannabis and that the side effects are mild (dry mouth and eyes, paranoia, fatigue, increased appetite, all depending on the cannabis strains) make medical cannabis attractive to some patients tired of feeling unwell with their medications.

For science, the answer lies in the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in regulating anxiety and fight-or-flight response. It naturally produces and releases its own endocannabinoids. A person exposed to chronic stress may see their natural endocannabinoid production decrease, and therefore their anxiety level increase. Consuming cannabis can reduce this anxiety by stimulating cannabinoid receptors in the amygdala and by replacing natural endocannabinoids. Paradoxically, regular cannabis use reduces the effectiveness of the brain's cannabinoid receptors and can therefore lead to an increase in anxiety. Effectiveness then lies in dosage.

The biggest question then becomes: what medical cannabis used to treat Anxiety disorders? Some varieties clearly have tendencies to play with the consumer's paranoia, and an anxious person will likely want to avoid them. Moreover, a variety that might work for one person may not necessarily work for another.

People accustomed to cannabis can turn to strains with higher THC dosages, while new patients should start with strains low in THC until they know how their body and mind react. Moderation is key in this case. Some cannabis varieties also develop CBD levels interesting ones that will counterbalance the high of THC.

Smoking or vaping cannabis allows for rapid action and concise consumption, which can be reserved for moments when a sensation becomes anxiety-provoking or when a panic attack occurs. Relief then comes quickly. Taken orally space food, the effects are slow to appear.

There are also cannabis flowers, of course. Many people stick to CBD. who has been effective in treating anxiety, in oil for example.