MEDICAL CANNABIS AS A TREATMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
Research shows that medical cannabis can be an effective treatment for a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety stress, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As an increasing number of patients use pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid treatments, more evidence will come to light. In this blog, we look at its benefits just for mental health treatment.
Research shows that medical cannabis can be an effective treatment for a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety stress, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As an increasing number of patients use pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid treatments, more evidence will come to light.
In this blog, we look at its benefits just for mental health treatment.
Stress and Anxiety
Too many of us accept stress or anxiety as natural parts of life. While it’s true that stress is the body’s natural response to change and unknown situations, problems occur when the feeling is prolonged. Long-term stress negatively affects the heart and circulatory system, the lungs, digestion and even the muscles through increased tension.
It’s been shown that that the medicinal properties of cannabinoids can reduce stress, improve sleep and aid relaxation. A combination of the cannabinoids THC and CBD is known to be particularly effective in reducing the anxiety associated with stress. When formulated correctly, the powerful psychoactive effects of THC are perfectly balanced by the milder CBD and other minor cannabinoids.
Medical Cannabis for Depression
One in six people will experience depression at some time in their life. More than simply “being sad,” it is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, think and act. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems that decrease your ability to function at work and at home.
Cannabis combats depression by reducing its symptoms. Relatively low levels of THC combined with relatively high levels of CBD and other minor cannabinoids have proved especially effective when inhaled as a vapour. They work by supplementing levels of our own internal cannabinoid, anandamide, in the body’s endocannabinoid system to promote feelings of happiness.
CBD works on about 60 different receptors, enzymes and neurotransmitters. It also can activate adenosine, which helps with relaxation, and serotonin pathways to help boost mood. The essential oils in medical cannabis formulations (terpenes) can also have anti-depressive qualities. Limonene and pinene, for example, can reduce stress and anxiety.
ADD/ADHD
ADHD and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are responsible for a range of symptoms including inattentiveness, impulsiveness and sleep issues. These conditions are typically treated with stimulants such as Ritalin and amphetamine compounds such as Adderall, which increase dopamine levels. However, the risks of these medications include sleeplessness, lethargy, suppressed appetite, stunted growth and even sudden death in children. Resistance to the drugs may also necessitate higher doses.
Medical cannabis increases dopamine levels and can help calm racing thoughts without impairing sleep or appetite. The natural anxiety-reducing and antidepressant effects of CBD and THC further suggest that cannabis could be a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional ADHD and ADD treatments.
PTSD
Sufferers of post-traumatic stress have long said that cannabis eases symptoms such as nightmares, panic attacks, hypervigilance, detachment and self-destructive behaviour. Recent studies have shown that plant cannabinoids can reduce activity in the part of the brain associated with fear (the amygdala) and play a role in extinguishing traumatic memories. In their interactions with the body’s endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can both modulate the brain’s memory processes and reduce anxiety and depression.
Medical Cannabis Treatments
Doctors Express exclusively offers the Kaiser Day line of pharmaceutical-grade vaporisable medical cannabis products, each formulated to maximise the natural properties of the plant in treating specific symptoms. In terms of mental health disorders, all of the Kaiser Day products contain a full-spectrum of cannabinoids including THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC and CBDV, which are complemented by uplifting and flavourful terpenes such as myrcene. Another dominant terpene is caryophyllene, which has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
Learn more about medical cannabis by reviewing the FAQs on our website or call us talk about how it can help you: +1-345-745-6000.
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