What to Know About Managing Anxiety With Medical Marijuana

About 40 million Americans have an anxiety disorder, which includes conditions that cause persistent or excessive fear and worry. Many rely on prescription medications and counseling to ease symptoms, but a growing number are exploring alternative treatments, such as medical marijuana.

If you’re thinking about using medical marijuana to help ease anxiety symptoms like overwhelm and ruminating thoughts, it’s important to know what to expect.

Board-certified physician Kimberlee Park, DO, at MediCalm, regularly prescribes medical marijuana to qualifying patients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Here, she discusses why medical marijuana is becoming a popular anxiety treatment, covers the potential benefits and risks, and explains how to obtain a medical marijuana card.

How medical marijuana may affect anxiety

Research on medical marijuana is ongoing, but a growing body of evidence suggests it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate functions such as mood, stress, and sleep.

The marijuana plant contains over 100 compounds called cannabinoids, and two of the most common are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is responsible for marijuana’s “high,” while CBD is not intoxicating and may help calm the nervous system.

Because THC can increase anxiety and paranoia in some users, it’s important to select strains and dosages of medical marijuana that match your symptoms and needs in order to manage anxiety safely.

Medical marijuana for anxiety: Potential benefits and risks

If you’ve tried traditional anxiety treatments without seeing an improvement in your symptoms, it’s normal to wonder whether medical marijuana could provide different results. But the answer isn’t always straightforward. Here’s a closer look at the potential benefits and risks.

Potential benefits

Some research shows that medical marijuana promotes relaxation, improves sleep quality, and helps reduce racing thoughts. However, these benefits are most notable in patients with other mental health conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), though results can vary depending on the type of anxiety you have.

Potential risks

Certain marijuana strains have high amounts of THC, which can make anxiety and its associated symptoms, like a racing heart, worse. Some people also experience other side effects, such as short-term memory loss or low libido.

It’s important to note that everyone reacts to medical marijuana differently. Just because a friend or family member experienced positive results doesn’t mean your experience will be the same. Results vary depending on genetics, body chemistry, and dosage.

Determining if medical marijuana is right for you

If you’re living with anxiety and want to find out if medical marijuana can help, schedule a telehealth consultation with Dr. Park. After reviewing your health records and discussing your symptoms, she can determine if you’re a candidate for a medical marijuana card.

If you qualify and receive a card, you can visit any licensed dispensary in Pennsylvania or New Jersey and begin using medical marijuana under guidance. You don’t have to smoke or vape marijuana flower. Plenty of options exist, including gummies, drinks, and tinctures. 

Start with the lowest possible dosage and track your symptoms in a notebook or digital journal to see what works best and what adjustments may be needed.

Getting a medical marijuana certification can help you access its potential benefits for anxiety and related symptoms. To learn more about certification and which product may be right for you, contact MediCalm today. Call our appointment line at 484-440-9494 or use our online scheduler.