Marijuana Treats Anxiety Disorders
Marijuana is useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
There is much anecdotal evidence of patients using cannabis heavily in the early stages of psychiatric illness. This has often been thought to contribute to acute illness. But it seems possible that it may instead be a form of self-medication for the sometimes extreme anxiety that these people experience.
Endocannabinoids contribute to extinction of fearful memories so drugs that target these molecules and their receptors could be useful new treatments for anxiety disorders.
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I use marijuana to deal with my anxiety; it allows me to get into a calm state of mind that I have difficulty achieving without some assistance (hence my anxiety "disorder"). The downside of using marijuana for this purpose is the side effects; the following day I feel slightly less motivated and a little hazy. However, in moderation the drug is helpful to me for relaxation and calmness. I have taken up yoga, and hope to eventually be able to achieve a similarly calm state of mind without the drugs.
I'm a bit troubled by the quote marks around the word 'disorder'. If you are saying that you have an anxiety disorder, and this works as well as SSRIs or SNRIs to alleviate your symptoms then that is one thing- but if you have do not have an anxiety disorder, and are simply suggesting that marijuana can relieve stress, then that does not support the notion that it is a medicine. Rather it supports that it is of value recreationally - just as people can relieve stress after work with a beer or a martini.
Anxiety disorders are illnesses. I have had a relative involuntarily hospitalized for an anxiety disorder and know a couple whose son committed suicide after years of struggling with his disorder. Actual treatments which can help in these circumstances are welcome, but I know of no credible sources which have found that marijuana qualifies.
Works for me that is all the proof I need I am a free grown American citizen and this is my choice. Stop the FEDS!!