Today, we live in a world that is fast-paced, constantly changing, and that expects people to adapt and overcome personal challenges just as quickly. The truth is, it’s not that easy. Not even close. Although handling stress and balancing a healthy, happy life seem to go hand in hand, there are quite a few people who’s stress just refuses to be eased or alleviated.
This is especially true for patients who suffer from such stress disorders as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. For these people, it’s not a quick fix such as taking a walk or relaxing with a movie. Stress is a constant daily battle that these sufferers must deal with, and the sad reality is that, pharmaceutically, their options are almost none. However, medical marijuana has shown remarkable results in easing the symptoms of these disorders.
What is Stress?
The brain is a true biochemical wonder, naturally containing and creating multiple cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are responsible for the control of emotional behavior, irritability, fear, stress, mood, sleep, and even controls what the individual “craves”. These receptors are part of the amygdala, nucleus accumbens, periaqueductal gray of the midbrain, and the prefrontal cortex. Multiple studies across multiple academics have shown clearly that when these cannabinoid receptors are activated, the heart rate significantly slows, blood pressure lowers, and stress and panic reactions are greatly eased.
Other studies have even shown that the fear-avoidant and even conditioned responses such as pain and/or punishment decrease when these receptors activate. However, when the receptors don’t activate or don’t activate fully or in tandem, then the person experiences stress. Through this stress, their heart rate rises, their fight or flight instincts can kick in to release adrenaline, their blood pressure rises, and their anxiety rises exponentially.
How Does Medical Marijuana Help?
Medical marijuana contains impressive and all natural cannabinoids. These cannabinoids are much like the ones the brain creates naturally, and can cross-over and assist the brain in activating those cannabinoid receptors that are so crucial to the mental health of a patient. Multiple studies have found that when a patient uses medicinal marijuana, they release these cannabinoids. These cannabinoids then move to the brain and stimulate the body’s own cannabinoid receptors into action. By doing so, these receptors allow the patient to not only find comfort from the physical symptoms of stress such as anxiety and high heart rate, but also triggers the ability to “soften” any disturbing or violent memories the patient has had to live through.
This is an extremely important effect for those that suffer from chronic or acute stress disorders, especially Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Studies have even found that, through daily use of medicinal marijuana, the patients also begin to sleep better, longer, and have more restful and productive sleep. Many people that have stress disorders also suffer from insomnia, both sporadically and chronically. As a lack of sleep adds to the intensity of stress, this “side effect” of allowing the individual to sleep productively is quite a useful asset in their treatment.
Mary & Main is an accredited and fully licensed medical marijuana dispensary in Maryland. If you’d like to reach out to Mary & Main with any question, concerns, or comments, please feel free to contact us at 855-922-6626. We would be more than happy to assist you with anything we can, and look forward to speaking with you.
