How Cannabis works to Treat Anxiety and Stress
Stress and Anxiety are not illnesses, but a byproduct of today’s modern lifestyle. You may ignore it for a while, but those who are under constant stress for long, may face hazardous health issues related to both mind and body. Prolonged stress can be managed through various practices, such as meditation, taking a walk in nature, going out on a vacation, practicing exercises, yoga and much more.
What is Anxiety and Stress?
Stress is a response to any threat or an experience that demands you to perform more than your ability in any situation. Anxiety is the reaction to the stress. They both constitute a kind of mental disorder in aged 18 or more. Such disorders create worry, fear and feelings of apprehension.
Ayurveda view on Stress and Anxiety
According to Ayurveda the imbalance in the three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha is the main reason for any illness or disorder. Anxiety is the symptom of vata aggravation.
Vata governs the feeling of creative thinking, reasoning and imagination. However, excess vata results in feelings of anxiety, panic attacks, increased heart palpitations, sleep problems, overactive mind and constant fatigue.
Focusing on pacifying vata and increasing kapha and pitta are the way to relieve anxiety. Let’s understand how the tri-dosha balancing Cannabis works and helps.
Can Cannabis help?
Cannabis has been used in Ayurveda since thousands of years to reduce anxiety, manage stress, reduce pain, control nausea, stimulate appetite, relax muscles and improve sleep.
According to Ayurveda, cannabis plant is considered to be one of the five most important herbs in the organic world. Cannabis has no known toxicity or adverse side effects. It stimulates the endocannabinoid system of the body, which contributes to an overall well-being.
Cannabis produces chemical compounds called cannabinoids, which are quite similar to neurotransmitter chemicals produced naturally by our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). ECS is a collection of neuromodulators, their receptors, and signaling pathways. One of its primary function is regulating anxiety, response to stress, movement, mood, memory, appetite, pain and many other processes.
The therapeutic benefits of Cannabis are derived from the interactions of cannabinoids and our ECS.
In case of chronic levels of stress, emotional trauma, panic disorder or OCD, there is a lowered production of the endocannabionoids in the body and the responsiveness of its receptors, which are responsible for lowering the anxiety levels naturally. Cannabinoids fill in this gap of lowered endocannabionoids and treat anxiety and stress. Cannabinoids also bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors and decrease the reactivity to threat in the brain and promote the state of homeostasis (i.e. balance).
Scientific Approach at Multi-action effects of Cannabis on Treating Anxiety
The most common prescriptions for anxiety are sedatives and anti-depressants. But such drugs cause unwanted side effects, and therefore, people look for alternative treatment options.
Cannabis contains CBD and the potent psychoactive component THC. Let’s take a look at the multi-faceted benefits Cannabis exerts in treating anxiety -
1.Anti-Anxiety Effects
The CBD component of cannabis has really good anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties. According to studies, the brain areas involved with anxiety have shown positive changes and helped in social anxiety, after being administered with CBD.
2.Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Cannabis has shown promising result in treating individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to studies, Cannabis helped control nightmares and improve general well-being in the patients.
Ayurvedic Formulas to treat Anxiety
Since anxiety is a disease of the Vata, its treatments lies in balancing Vata. CBD has direct effect on the primary sub-doshas prana and vyana, and stimulate the mind and increase activity in the nervous system. CBD-rich Cannabis can thus help in relaxing and treating anxiety.
Cannabis infused medicines
Cannabis capsules (Or Vijaya Capsules) are available in different proprietary formulations (choose based on your dominant dosha type) and can work wonders to reduce anxiety, improves sleep and combat stress. Vedi Herbals uses quality cannabis to make its 100% vegetarian Ayurvedic medicines. Consult our Ayurvedic doctor to get right dose for you.
SARPAGANDHA GHAN VATI
These tablets are infused with the goodness of Cannabis, and help you regain the calmness of mind. The main ingredient Sarpagandha has anti-hypersensitivity and tranquilizing properties that are effective in the treatment of hypertension and psychotic disorders like insomnia, anxiety and epilepsy.
Ayurveda focuses on overall healing and treat anxiety at all levels, it recommends including daily routine and self care rituals to pacify Vata. Eating cooked and warm foods, practicing breathing techniques, massaging feet and head with oil and focusing on yoga poses that help calm the Vata dosha are advised for complete healing.
Read our Previous Blog: Cannabis Medicines in India
