CBD Aid in the Eradication of Mental Illness

How Can Cannabis and CBD Aid in the Eradication of Mental Illness Stigma?

Since drug usage and mental health are still heavily stigmatized, there may be remedies that are as simple as having a discussion.

Millions of Americans struggle with mental health issues. Often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, those who silently suffer from mental illness issues often remain silent due to the stigma surrounding depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.

Two points of view on marijuana and mental health

Olivia Alexander, the founder of Higher Hemp CBD, an online retailer of CBD and cannabis products, recently shared that she has questioned growing a business and leading a team while addressing the use of cannabis for mental health. “It's hard to admit that there are days when you can't cope with everyday life without cannabis,” Olivia explains online. Both CBD and cannabis helped ease Olivia's symptoms of bipolar disorder, and Olivia found that she was more successful using cannabis than without.

But there is another side of the story. Dr. Elinore F. McCance-Katz believes that substances like marijuana can pose risks to mental health. Speaking in 2018, she shared, As a clinical psychiatrist specializing in addiction, as someone committed to the treatment of people with substance use disorders, as a concerned American - I Cannot stress enough the underestimation of the risks and consequences of using marijuana in dialogue. "Dr. McCane-Katz listed risks such as a decrease in IQ and a predisposition to mental illness among the risks that society must address".

Interestingly, a 2016 study found no loss of IQ in British teens who used marijuana.

“Marijuana users lost about four IQ points during the study. But their abstinent twin siblings showed a similar pattern of decline, suggesting the loss of mental acuity was due to something other than pot… ”- The American Association for the Advancement of Science

Two very different perspectives lead to one huge question: When do the rewards outweigh the risks?

The statistics involved in mental health

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has shared powerful statistics on mental health that may offer more information:

About 1 in 5 adults in the United States (46.6 million) suffer from a mental illness in any given year.

Serious mental illness costs the United States $ 193.2 billion in lost income per year.

7.8% of adults in the United States - 19.4 million - had at least one major depressive episode in 2019.

In the United States, only 44.8% of adults with mental illness received treatment in the past year. Among adults with severe mental illness, 65.5% received mental health services in 2019.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34.

The steps to a solution are as follows:

It may be difficult right now to stay that cannabis can remove the stigma of mental illness, but it certainly has the power to empower and start conversations that can lead to healing. TRNTO's Ljubica Kostovic believes the perception of CBD and cannabis is already changing, with people more willing to use it for pain, anxiety, and PTSD.

He shared, “Cannabis has been used medicinally for thousands of years and has been used to treat mental health issues for over a century - its full legalization at the federal level gives us a unique opportunity 'to explore.

With both marijuana use and mental health stigmatized, there may be solutions in place that are as easy as a conversation. Twisp House of Cannabis in Washington recently hired a 74-year-old woman named Sonja because they noticed many of their older clients wanted to speak to someone who was or had been in their shoes.

In the process of certification, Sonja hopes to remove the stigma of cannabis by sharing her story and the benefits of marijuana with adults who may not have asked for it before, a tactic often used in the mental health community that allows greater inclusion and greater trust.

Stories are an incredible balm, aren't they? When people feel safe in sharing, it allows others to do the same.

Marijuana Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress, According to Research

Marijuana substantially decreased the symptoms of these mental disorders, according to new studies using a data-centric approach.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that cannabis alleviates symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Additionally, scientists working under serious limitations due to the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level have hinted at links between cannabis and mental illness. A 2015 study in rats found that the plant "could potentially help" offset symptoms of stress-induced depression. Other animal studies have also shown that CBD can in part alleviate the problem of depression in America.

But a Washington state study used a data-driven approach using human subjects to reveal the effectiveness of marijuana in treating depression, anxiety, and the stress of everyday life. Published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the study concluded that “[c] cannabis reduced the perceived symptoms of a short-term negative effect, but continued use may exacerbate the basic symptoms of depression over time.”

Using the information provided by the Strainprint marijuana app, which helps medical users track their cannabis doses and strains, researchers were able to examine how subjects used cannabis from the comfort of their homes. As the lead author of the study, Carrie Cutler told Health Europa, this approach departs from previous research on mental illness and cannabis.

“Existing research on the effects of cannabis on depression, anxiety, and stress is very scarce and has been almost exclusively done with THC tablets given orally in a lab,” Cutler said. "What's unique about our study is that we looked at actual inhaled cannabis by medical marijuana patients who used it in the comfort of their own homes rather than in a lab."

According to their analysis, the researchers found that low THC and high CBD marijuana was the most effective at reducing symptoms of depression, while high THC / CBD cannabis "was best at reducing perceived symptoms stress”. Interestingly, the data also showed that women responded with a greater decrease in anxiety after marijuana use than men.

Specifically, 89.3% of all sessions saw significant decreases in symptoms of depression after smoking marijuana. However, 3.2% of the sessions had these symptoms exacerbated while 7.5% of the sessions elicited no change. For the anxiety and stress monitoring sessions, over 90% of the sessions had a significant reduction in these symptoms. Whether marijuana increases symptoms of anxiety and stress or plays no role, follows statistical patterns similar to those of depression.

"This is to my knowledge one of the first scientific studies to provide advice on which strains and amounts of cannabis people should be looking for to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression," Cutler said. “Currently, consumers of medical and recreational cannabis rely on the advice of head bidders whose recommendations are based on anecdotal, non-scientific evidence.”

When Do You Talk To Anyone About Your Mental Health?

Medical professionals are stretched more than ever before as they search for tools and ideas to assist clients in need.

Kristin, a single mom in a suburb outside Madison, Wisconsin, recently said, "I need my village - it's too hard." All over the world, people are taking to social media to share their frustrations and pandemic preparedness advice as they begin to understand what will come next with COVID-19 - a virus that runs through communities.

With more than 43 million Americans facing the stigma of mental illness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shared that fear of stigma often prevents people from wanting to seek help. The Barna Group shared the trends of American adults in 2018 and found that 42% had seen a counselor at some point in their lives. Barna's results indicate that "a fifth of Millennials (21%) and 16% of Gen Xers are currently in therapy."

Would counseling help Kristin, a mother who is not only dealing with her mental health but also protecting the health of the children in her home?

Trauma, such as a pandemic, can bring many emotions such as grief, worry, and anxiety. The American Psychological Association (APA) has created a pandemics page for providers to better understand how to serve potential clients like Kristin. Packed with information on reducing stress, encouraging healthy discussions, and creating new, innovative approaches to tackling anxiety, providers are more than ever asked to seek out resources and ideas to help clients in the process need.

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the complex and often unspoken emotions that accompany the effects of a pandemic on the human mind. They found:

“In any epidemic, it's common for people to feel stressed and worried. Common responses from those affected (both directly and indirectly) may include:

Fear of getting sick and dying

Avoid approaching health facilities for fear of being infected during care

Fear of losing livelihood, not being able to work during isolation, and being fired from work

Fear of being socially excluded/quarantined due to being associated with the disease (eg racism against people who originate or perceived to originate from affected areas) "

It's no wonder that providers and individuals alike struggle to find ways to navigate day-to-day activities that have changed so much and possibly a changing future as well.

If you or a loved one is struggling during the COVID-19 outbreak, professionals believe reaching out and asking for help is one of the best ways to fight emotions and bring clarity. If you don't know how to move forward, maybe it's time to take a mental test.

Doctor's Advice On How To Deal With Coronavirus Anxiety

Might all of the recent headlines about the coronavirus be affecting your mental health? A therapist in New York City offers advice on how to avoid (or at least moderate) the worrying.

From Facebook friends bracing for your great aunt sharing it's the end of time, the hype around the coronavirus (or 2019-nCOV as the CDC calls it) is higher than ever. - news of an impending disaster, right?

Whether you plan to stock up on essentials or wait for them to explode, one thing is for sure - it's hard to escape the constant barrage of media attention. But could all the news about the coronavirus affect your mental health?

New York City psychiatrist Dr. Zlatin Ivanov believes recent events can hit anxious people particularly hard and recently spoke to Higher Hemp CBD about what people can do to avoid worry.

Question: Can you tell our readers how they can emotionally plan for coronavirus and discuss the sometimes complex feelings they might have?

Answer: This is a very good question because it reflects our current situation. The most important step in preparing emotionally for this specific topic is to be well informed. The first thing to know about is their state of health; physical and mental health is very important in scenarios like the coronavirus.

The next step would be to make sure we are well informed about the virus itself. To protect ourselves and our loved ones from infection, we need to take (precautionary) measures. One of the things I recommend to my patients, and everyone around me, is to wash their hands frequently. Using a bar of antibacterial soap might also help. Avoid large groups of people if you can.

Question: How can our readers overcome their concerns about the coronavirus?

Answer: Doing our research is very helpful and important when we talk about exploring feelings. You need to give yourself the time you need to take a look at the situation (personal and overall) before drawing any conclusions. It is natural to feel anxious at first. When a person is well informed, they are less likely to stress themselves over a certain topic or topic.

Question: Have you used CBD or marijuana to support your patients with anxiety in the past?

Answer: Colleagues of mine have used it and have seen the effects of these drugs. I am looking for more available data and experience from my colleagues to introduce and use them more often in my practice.

We know that both CBD and marijuana can be helpful for people with anxiety or stress-related disorders. Brandan Bures recently shared his effects on anxiety and Parkinson's space and how CBD oil helps those in pain.

While professionals and researchers can only predict where the coronavirus is going, and its effects, the only control we have is learning to 'let go'. Focusing on the present, enjoying every moment, and using products that help can go a long way.

If You Frequently Wake Up Anxious, Here Are 5 Things You Can Do

Anxiety affects us all in different ways, choosing the most random and awkward times to strike. It's a problem that is notoriously difficult to manage but affects more people than you might think. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in America, affecting more than 40 million adults - the majority of whom never receive treatment.

Morning anxiety attacks are especially crippling, taint the rest of your day, and prevent you from rearranging your thoughts. Here are five things you can do to prevent these unwanted attacks.

Make sure you have enough clothing for the next day.

Although we all have to make decisions in the morning, choosing the right outfit, especially if you have an important event coming up, can take a lot of energy and time. Avoid decision fatigue by selecting your outfit the night before and eliminating some of your morning stress.

Before going to bed, turn off all of your electronic devices.

Blue light, which comes out of all laptop and smartphone screens, can disrupt your sleep patterns and prevent your body from producing melatonin, a key hormone for a healthy sleep cycle. On a more basic level, the presence of constant notifications and the need to check social media can stress you out, prevent you from relaxing and make you anxious and nervous.

Checking your phone first thing in the morning is not a good idea.

If your phone is also your alarm clock, it's easy to get into the news cycle first thing in the morning. This practice is time-consuming and addictive, reducing the time you have to prepare for your day. Social media is stressful too, affecting the quality of your morning and causing anxiety. If you need a little space thanks to the technology, buy a separate alarm clock and try to perform your morning rituals as efficiently as possible.

Recognize and accept the anxiety.

Ignoring your anxiety and pretending it doesn't exist is a trick that doesn't work, intensifying the feeling and making it even stronger. You need to change the way you approach your anxiety, accept it, and try to overcome it in a healthy, purposeful way.

Exercising your breathing

These exercises are simple and can be done anytime your anxiety strikes, reminding your brain that you are always in control. Breathe in and be present throughout the process, feeling the air filling your rib cage and lungs. Repeat until you feel calm and can find relief.

5 Gifts That Are Perfect For People Who Suffer From Anxiety

It's a big year for anxiety. Polls claim anxiety levels rose 40% in 2018, with respondents saying they feel more anxious now than a year ago. This is quite understandable; we live in changing times. There is an abundance of technology, societal issues, shifting politics, and more. We are also a lot more open about mental illness - a good thing - which makes people a lot more open to talking about their inner struggles.

Fortunately, many practices can help those with anxiety, ranging from breathing methods to products that have a calming effect. Bustle has compiled a list of affordable products that are great for people with anxiety. Here are five of our favorites.

Publisher's Action Plan

12 Month Planners are a must-have when you are someone who craves order in your life. Visualizing your tasks and having a place to write your to-do lists is a great benefit that will permeate different areas of your life. The Action Planner also lets you color in different pages, a relaxing, fun, and cathartic activity.

Humidifier with Cactus

This cute-looking humidifier prevents dry skin and bacteria growth without making noise and disturbing your surroundings. It's a calming, affordable product that makes a thoughtful and useful gift.

Toys for fidgeting

Although fidget spinners were found to have little benefit, fidget cubes showed more positive results, helping anxious people concentrate at work and relax at home. Amazon sells different versions, most of them having very good reviews.

‘I Am Here Now

This book, designed by The Mindfulness Project, engages users' attention, helps them stay in the moment, and keeps them from getting lost in their thoughts. The book offers various relaxing activities that range from coloring pages, exercises, and meditations.

Weighted blankets

Weighted blankets soothe stress and anxiety by providing reassuring pressure on your body. There are dozens of brands online, with The Weighted Blanket Company offering several options in different price ranges and styles that make them a great gift.

How Medical Marijuana May Aid Patients in Quitting Anti-Anxiety Drugs

A new Canadian observational study has demonstrated the potential effectiveness of medical marijuana use to treat anxiety. Almost half of the study participants were able to stop taking benzodiazepines after six months of medical marijuana treatment.

The study, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, included 146 anxiety patients who were all taking benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, and Valium. Patients said they were better able to treat their symptoms by using medical marijuana, and 45 percent were able to stop taking their anti-anxiety medications, some even earlier than that...

About 40 million Americans have an anxiety disorder (about 18.1% of the population), according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Medical marijuana could prove to be an effective treatment aside from addictive opioids for many Americans, says Dr. Michael Verboa, chief medical officer of Alefia Health, the company that funded the study.

“The opioid crisis takes a lot of airtime, but people don't always realize that behind the [opioid] crisis is benzodiazepine addiction and overuse of antidepressants,” Dr. Verboa told Weedmaps. "By providing a safer alternative like cannabis, we can keep people away from addictive substances."

It could be especially valuable in modern times. According to a 2018 American Psychiatric Association (APA) survey, nearly 40% of Americans said they felt more anxious in 2018 than the year before.

Depression is not far away either. There are 16.2 million adults in the United States who suffer from depression, representing 6.7% of the population. It is also estimated that 15% of all adults will experience depression at some point in their life. However, the researchers stressed that more clinical research is needed before patients completely abandon mainstream medicine and focus exclusively on medical marijuana.

“The results of the study are encouraging, and this work aligns with the growing public interest in a rapidly developing Canadian cannabis market,” said lead author Chad Purcell in a press release. “We advise the public to exercise caution. The results do not suggest that cannabis should be used as an alternative to conventional therapies. Our goal is to inspire others to advance the current understanding of cannabis as we collect stronger data on efficacy and safety that will lead to responsible policy and recommended use practices.

Medical marijuana is more effective than pharmaceuticals in treating anxiety.

Marijuana for anxiety? That does not make sense, does it? For some, the answer is absolute.

Anxiety is a problem that affects up to a third of the population during their lifetime. It is recognized as a group of disorders including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and others. Health care researchers have noted that the disease is vastly underdiagnosed and untreated.

For those looking for treatment, a variety of options are available. Psychotherapy and hypnosis help some reexamine the cause and triggers of anxiety.

The largest segment of patients in physician care are content to take medication, and there are many options available. It is no secret that anyone who watches television with any regularity is inundated with the parade of anti-anxiety drug advertisements. Antidepressants like Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac are now part of the American vocabulary. Antihistamines, beta-blockers, and benzodiazepines ("downers" like Valium and Xanax) are also used to fight anxiety. But prescription options are not without risks, including addiction, drowsiness, restlessness, dizziness, constipation, and nausea.

In a survey of 1,400 Californians by HelloMD, 76% of respondents reported using cannabis to treat anxiety.

Within the medical community, there are still big questions that need to be answered. A collaborative study involving Brazilian and UK researchers found that frequent cannabis users had a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders. The study also states, "However, it is not clear whether cannabis use increases the risk of developing long-lasting anxiety disorders."

This is the classic chicken and egg argument. Causality has not been proven. While some believe that cannabis may contribute to the development of these conditions, others have speculated that many anxious people self-medicate to relieve their symptoms.

We know that cannabis can work both ways when it comes to feelings of anxiety. "Marijuana can cause anxiety symptoms, such as panic, in the short term, but there is a lack of evidence that marijuana is a significant risk factor for chronic anxiety disorders ..." as professionals from the University of Washington Alcohol and State Drug Abuse Institute online.

"All other things being equal, THC appears to decrease anxiety at lower doses and increase anxiety at higher doses."

Rodent research has shown that CBD reduces anxiety when given in low and medium doses. CBD has also been shown to act as an effective prophylactic in people with social anxiety disorder, showing "a significant decrease in anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort in speech performance." Because CBD (or cannabidiol) does not induce any euphoric experiences like THC, it may be a better choice for some who are not interested in getting high.

What we know at this point should be encouraging for cannabis enthusiasts and those looking to reduce their consumption of pharmaceuticals. Also, it should be noted that getting rid of cold turkey from prescription anxiety medication can be dangerous. People with anxiety disorders should consult a physician familiar with cannabis therapy before making drastic changes to their medical routines.

Cannabis Has Been Scientifically Proven To Reduce Anxiety And Stress

Low THC/high CBD cannabis strains were found to be the most effective at alleviating depressive symptoms. For stress relief, a high THC/high CBD ratio was optimal.

What if a scientific report was published that showed marijuana to significantly reduce depression, anxiety, and stress? Would that be enough to convince those who would oppose weed? We will see because that is exactly what was published by a Canadian data and analytics company based on a large patient population.

Strainprint is a mobile application intended to change the way medical marijuana patients track and select their cannabis strains. Acting as an enhanced dosing diary, the Strainprint app encourages patients to select up to three medical conditions that they seek to remedy with cannabis. Users then enter the strain they are using, when, in what amounts, and, most importantly, the perceived effectiveness. This creates a data point for users and physicians anonymously to determine how to maximize results.

Data is king, and the folks at Strainprint know it. They intend to do more than provide buying advice to patients, as evidenced by this latest study of over 11,000 user sessions and their results.

Users reported a “50% reduction in depression and 58% reduction in anxiety and stress from cannabis use”. Dosage can be a difficult and somewhat subjective measure when it comes to smoking. Researchers asked users how many “puffs” they took. Two puffs were enough to reduce ratings of depression and anxiety, while 10 or more puffs produced the greatest perceived reductions in stress.

Since the company is not just interested in how effective cannabis is, but also which strains or chemovars have particular effects, there was more detail to be had. They reported that low THC / CBD cannabis strains were the best choice for reducing symptoms of depression. High THC / High CBD was best for stress reduction.

This was not good news for cannabis enthusiasts, however. Over time, patients who used cannabis for depression experienced a gradual exacerbation of symptoms. They got worse. But data like this does not exist in a bubble. Researchers at the University of Buffalo have already shown in animal models that chronic stress is a major contributor to depression-like symptoms. So, for some forms of depression, it could be exactly what the doctor ordered, so to speak. It is too early to know for sure.

One thing we can count on is more collective data research like this. Data collection from customers is just starting to feed into customer loyalty and reward programs at retail marijuana stores. The growing number of brands at trade shows reflects the value of the information that will be collected about all of us.

In the case of this Strainprint study, the consumer can benefit from the information exchanged, just like medical professionals seeking data-driven advice in this brave new world of legal weed.

The Dose Is Important When Using Medical Marijuana For Anxiety Relief

Marijuana for Anxiety? That does not make sense, does it? For some, the answer is absolute.

Anxiety is a problem that affects up to a third of the population during their lifetime. It is recognized as a group of disorders including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety disorder

Health care researchers have noted that the disease is vastly underdiagnosed and untreated.

For those looking for treatment, a variety of options are available. Psychotherapy and hypnosis help some reexamine the cause and triggers of anxiety.

The largest segment of patients in physician care are content to take medication, and there are many options available. It is no secret that anyone who watches television with any regularity is inundated with the parade of anti-anxiety drug advertisements. Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac are now part of the American vocabulary. Antihistamines, beta-blockers, and benzodiazepines ("downers" like Valium and Xanax) are also used to fight anxiety. But prescription options are not without risks, including addiction, drowsiness, restlessness, dizziness, constipation, and nausea.

In a survey of 1,400 Californians by HelloMD, 76% of respondents reported using cannabis to treat anxiety.

Within the medical community, there are still big questions that need to be answered. A collaborative study involving Brazilian and UK researchers found that frequent cannabis users had a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders. The study also states, "However, it is not clear whether cannabis use increases the risk of developing long-lasting anxiety disorders."

This is the classic chicken and egg argument. Causality has not been proven. While some believe that cannabis may contribute to the development of these conditions, others have speculated that many anxious people self-medicate to relieve their symptoms.

We know that cannabis can cut both ways when it comes to feelings of anxiety:

"Marijuana can cause anxiety symptoms, such as panic, in the short term, but there is a lack of evidence that marijuana is a significant risk factor for chronic anxiety disorders ..." the University of Washington Alcohol and State Drug Abuse Institute online.

"All other things being equal, THC appears to decrease anxiety at lower doses and increase anxiety at higher doses."

Rodent research has shown that CBD reduces anxiety when given in low and medium doses. CBD has also been shown to act as an effective prophylactic in people with social anxiety disorder, showing "a significant decrease in anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort in speech performance." Because CBD (or cannabidiol) does not induce any euphoric experiences like THC, it may be a better choice for some who are not interested in getting high.

What we know at this point should be encouraging for cannabis enthusiasts and those looking to reduce their consumption of pharmaceuticals. Note: Dropping cold turkey from prescription anxiety medications can be dangerous. People with anxiety disorders should consult a physician familiar with cannabis therapy before making drastic changes to their medical routines.