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Cannabis Solutions for Back-to-School Stress
Cannabis Solutions for Back-to-School Stress
Back to School Stress
Summer has passed in the blink of an eye, and school days loom again. The barrage of deadlines and academic pressures that follow can do a real number on a student’s mental health. Young people may feel overwhelmed as their calendars fill with endless lessons and extracurricular activities.
When all hope seems lost, there emerges an unlikely choice among student stress relief methods: medical cannabis. Medical cannabis contains cannabidiol, a therapeutic compound that can alleviate anxiety and relieve seizure symptoms. Cannabis achieves this by stimulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that functions as a natural braking mechanism for neurological stress responses.
Harnessing the positive effects of medical cannabis could ease back to school fears while avoiding the potential dangers of traditional medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines.
How Medical Cannabis Eases Back to School Anxiety
Anxiety remains the most prevalent mental health condition in the US, with around 40 million adults experiencing the disorder every year. Experts identify young adults aged between 18 and 30 as one of the most at-risk anxiety demographics in the nation. A person’s initial anxiety symptoms may begin in their teenage or earlier foundational years.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) could significantly compromise a person’s quality of life due to intense worrying and distracting physical symptoms. In the worst cases, GAD may lead to substance abuse, social problems, and even suicidal tendencies.
Research shows that the prevalence of an invasive social media culture and academic pressures could contribute to the rise of GAD. Subtle signs of back to school stress, such as negative thoughts, increased irritability, and restlessness, could all point to a build-up of anxiety leading to GAD.
The Positive Effects of Medical Cannabis
Concerns may arise with medical marijuana due to its associations with cannabis side effects such as mania, psychosis, and hyperemesis (constant nausea and vomiting). However, in practice, medical-grade cannabis involves careful preparations that significantly minimize adverse reactions.
Research by Johns Hopkins University discovered that modulating the amount of d-limonene weakens the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The university’s double-blind study involving 20 adults with a median age of 26 revealed that combining d-limonene with THC reduced anxiety and panic symptoms while retaining therapeutic effects.
Another study published in the Journal of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research divided 300 participants with anxiety between a cannabidiol (CBD) and THC-dominant cannabis product.
Researchers aimed to test THC vs CBD for stress relief, documenting each experience. While every participant reported a decrease in anxiety symptoms, the CBD-dominant group displayed better results. As proven by these studies, scientific teams continue to strengthen the positive links between cannabis and mental health treatment plans.
Concerns Related to Medical Cannabis
Medical cannabis effectiveness may vary according to the type of preparation, dosage, user profile, and purpose of treatment. For instance, 62.7% of participants in one three-month study attested to the effectiveness of medical cannabis in pain relief. In terms of anxiety prescriptions, it is important to note that varied THC concentrations could lead to markedly different experiences.
Research indicates that higher levels of THC could worsen anxiety instead of reducing its symptoms. The study involved 42 healthy participants aged 18 to 40 years old who were divided into three groups with differing doses of THC.
The low-dose group received a capsule containing 7.5 milligrams of THC, followed by the moderate-dose group with 12.5 milligrams of THC and a placebo group free from THC. Participants in the group that received the highest dosage of the drug reported significant increases in anxiety and negative mood throughout the test.
Risks of substance abuse may also occur with unsupervised cannabis use, causing brain alterations and serious withdrawal symptoms. Long-term abuse could lead to Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), causing hallucinations, mood swings, and learning difficulties.
Individuals with diagnosed mental health disorders (or who have a family history of them), such as psychosis or bipolar disorders, should refrain from taking cannabis products high in THC. Cannabis products high in THC may also cause major contraindications with alcohol and medications like Valium, Zyrtec, and Prozac.
Legality issues
It’s important to consider the legal status of medical cannabis. The laws surrounding medical cannabis continue to develop, with schools in Illinois, New Jersey, Maine, and Colorado allowing on-campus use of these products. Students in Washington and Florida may also consume medically approved marijuana for stress relief if allowed by their school districts. Note that the FDA has not approved CBD products as dietary supplements, and many schools across the country restrict the possession and use of CBD products within their grounds.
Safety and Practicality of Medical Cannabis
The long-term effects of medical cannabis remain uncertain while experts continue to refine existing product formulas. Unlike drugs like meth that contain a single chemical compound, cannabis comprises over 500 chemical components with varying effects. Scientists only understand a fraction of these compounds (such as the soporific effects of cannabinol) and their profound impact on human neurotransmitters.
A trusted healthcare professional selects the safest cannabis strains/cultivars based on current studies and according to a person’s DNA. Suitable matches improve product compatibility and the metabolism of cannabis strains for stress relief. Experts can also generate insightful reports and treatment plans to increase the success of long-term consumption experiences.
Starting Your Medical Cannabis Journey
While medical cannabis offers an alternative treatment for coping with back to school stress, it is necessary to understand its inherent risks and impact on the body. As such, it is vital to consult a certified medical specialist for proper cannabis dosage guidelines. For the best safety measures, only purchase cannabis from a certified dispensary or pharmacy and start with small doses to gradually adapt the body’s response.
Compassionate Clinics of America provides unparalleled medical cannabis consultations with customized treatments based on a person’s DNA and medical history. The clinic’s Strain Genie selection process analyzes over 150 DNA markers to shortlist the safest cannabis consumption methods for your health.
Schedule an appointment to reimagine holistic stress management and discover how you can overcome back to school woes with medical cannabis for anxiety that prioritizes your well-being.
