Cannabis has been used for a long time to help people deal with stress. Scientists have been looking into the use of cannabis to help anxiety more and more over the past few years. Based on these results, cannabis may help some people who are anxious.
One of the main ways that weed helps people who are anxious is by affecting the endocannabinoid system. A lot of things in the body are controlled by the endocannabinoid system. Some of these are pain, anxiety, and mood.
One effect that cannabinoids, which are the main ingredients in cannabis, can have is making people feel less anxious. Endocannabinoid receptors are found all over the body and brain and these drugs bind to them.
The ECS’s main parts
The ECS is made up of three main parts, which are
The word “endocannabinoids” refers to a group of chemicals that our bodies make on their own. The two endocannabinoids that get the most interest are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
CANNABID receptors are proteins that are found on the outside of cells all over the body. Most people have cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2. CB1 receptors are mostly found in the brain and central nervous systems, while CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system and the peripheral nervous system. Enzymes are very important for both making and breaking down endocannabinoids.
The ECS Plan
The key to how the ECS works is how cells talk to each other. Cells release endocannabinoids in reaction to things like pain, inflammation, or stress. Then, natural cannabinoids connect to cannabinoid receptors on cells nearby, which starts a chain of events.
Endocannabinoids can bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain to do things like ease pain, improve happiness, or help people sleep. By connecting to cannabinoid receptors in the immune system, they can also stop the immune system from working or reduce swelling. Cannabis has several cannabinoids, which are similar to the natural cannabinoids found in humans. Because they interact with the ECS in so many ways, cannabinoids have a wide range of affects.
Cannabinoid THC may link to CB1 receptors in the brain
For example, the cannabinoid THC may link to CB1 receptors in the brain, making people high and causing other psychoactive effects like changing how they see things and how they feel about themselves. CBD is another cannabinoid that binds to CB1 receptors. Unlike THC, however, it does not make you high.
Instead, CBD is thought to work by reacting with different receptors in the body, like the serotonin receptor.
Cannabis is being looked at more and more as a possible treatment for nervousness. For example, a 2018 review of many studies found that cannabis successfully lowered anxiety symptoms in people with a variety of anxiety disorders, such as GAD, SAD, and PTSD.
Remember that cannabis won’t suddenly make you feel better if you’re anxious. Keep in mind that weed can have some unpleasant side effects, like not salivating, having red eyes, dizziness, and falling over. If you want to use weed to help with your anxiety, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of doing so.
When you use cannabis to treat worry
Start with a low dose and slowly raise it until you get the result you want. It is best not to smoke or vape weed because it might make anxiety symptoms worse in some people. You might want to check out CBD goods; they can lessen the effects of THC that get you high. When you use weed, make sure you are in a safe place where someone is watching you.
Talk to your doctor about the right and safest way to use weed. Don’t forget that cannabis may mix badly with other drugs you are taking. Before you use cannabis, you should talk to your doctor if you are taking any other drugs.
