Medical marijuana exists because science and healthcare are confident that it can be used to treat a large swath of conditions. Thankfully, Pennsylvania has included more to their growing list of qualifying conditions. This is a move forward for compassionate medical treatment. One of the more interesting and important additions was the inclusion of anxiety as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana cards.
Treatment Options for Anxiety
The relationship between anxiety and cannabis is a strange one. On the one hand, there is the consideration that ingesting too much cannabis can trigger or exacerbate underlying anxieties; this is particularly true in strains of the plant high in THC. However, on the flip side, it has been shown time and time again that strains higher in CBD can actually reduce anxiety in many patients.
For years, pharmaceuticals are the go-to prescription for anxiety management. Common anti-anxiety medications include Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, and Buspar. Each of these—especially the benzodiazepines— often come with a long list of side effects. There is also a potential for abuse and overdose in many of these drugs. They may be effective when used as prescribed, but there is an epidemic of prescription pill abuse right now. The overreliance on medications can do more harm than good in the long run.
SSRI’s, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are another common drug used to treat anxiety disorders. While they are used as antidepressants, there are off-label uses for anxiety. Much like with anti-anxiety medication, there are often unwanted side effects. Common ones include nausea, weight gain, suicidal thoughts, increased anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. Of course, this does not happen to everyone. Many individuals find the perfect relief with these drugs. However, options need to exist for those who do not.
Of course, natural treatments are available and are also recommended by honest therapists and physicians. Meditation is a great reliever in anxiety in its many forms: panic disorder, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, and more. Meditation, especially mindfulness, may bring about a sense of calm in an otherwise stormy and chaotic mind. Exercise also helps when combating their anxiety. When these two are used in conjunction, more success may be found.
But many sufferers of these conditions do not wish to pump their bodies with corporate chemicals. All-natural routes are often considered. A growing trend is to use CBD for the treatment of anxiety and more research is being done that shows that reduces anxiety in many patients.
Pennsylvania adding anxiety to their list of qualifying conditions is a positive step that is inclusive to an even greater number of potential patients. It shows that their legislators are listening to the growing stacks of evidence that suggest that medical marijuana is for more than just a few qualifying conditions. It can and should be used in other cases where traditional medicine has been tried and found wanting. Head over to Veriheal to get your medical marijuana card for anxiety in PA today!
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