How to prevent anxiety attacks caused by cannabis

As cannabis legislation circulates and American citizens become drawn to the appeal of marijuana, discussions have shifted to issues of cannabis-induced fear. Concerned communities are wondering whether marijuana causes or helps anxiety. And experts have stated that it works both ways.

Marijuana-induced anxiety is commonly experienced by both long-term and new cannabis users. The type of cannabis consumed does not matter, as both recreational and medicinal cannabis have been found to trigger the condition.

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This article looks at the causes of weed fear, methods of combating it, and how to prevent it in new cannabis users.

Cannabis and fear

These two have a fascinating connection. Researchers have done experiments to explain this relationship. Some studies looked at the use of cannabis and its compounds to develop a potential form of anxiety treatment, while other studies focused on finding ways to develop and improve cannabinoid-based anxiolytics.

In the same vein, some experts are also working to find out more about whether THC is a paranoia trigger in cannabis users. Experiments have been conducted to link marijuana to the occurrence of anxiety disorders in people with no medical history of mental illness.

Fear of weeds

To understand weed fear, you need to know the concept of fear itself. Anxiety triggers a variety of reactions, such as increased heartbeat, inability to concentrate, incessant worry, and sweating. It occurs in moments that cause a person to relieve their doubts and insecurities.

Fear of weeds can be described by some users as an involuntary reaction of the body to cannabis. It causes psychological distress as well as physical symptoms such as tremors, tiredness, nausea, stomach discomfort and excessive sweating. It can go so far as to trigger panic attacks in users.

In contrast to brief moments of fear that can be alleviated by breathing exercises, the fear caused by weeds is much more complicated.

Recognize fear of weeds

For first-time visitors, it can be difficult to tell whether symptoms are related to anxiety or illness. Especially for those who only have physical symptoms.

It starts with the person having too many dark thoughts. These negative thoughts are very difficult to shake off. The physical symptoms follow closely, extreme fear of weeds causing shortness of breath and making the person difficult to move comfortably.

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People who experienced cannabis-induced anxiety stated that they felt like they were trapped in a cage inside their heads. They had troubling thoughts that seemed very loud in their minds and prevented them from paying attention to their current surroundings.

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Recreational cannabis smokers who experienced this form of anxiety added that hearing strange noises made them paranoid. Some said that they occasionally have to look for the police outside their windows. Recreational use of cannabis is illegal in some states, and worrying about being caught in a crime is enough to cause a manic episode.

Factors that can predict weed-induced anxiety

Several factors play a role in trying to find out why cannabis anxiety affects only a select number of people.

Age and gender

The age and gender of the user both play a role in determining how susceptible a person is to weed fear. An older person is more likely to experience an intense form of weed fear compared to a younger person. This is because the receptor density decreases over time as the brain ages, as the body ages.

Women are more likely to suffer from weed fear than the male population because of the estrogen that increases their sensitivity to THC.

genetics

Certain cannabis strains are used because of the creativity and calm they bring to the user. The genetics of the user also play a role. People who are THC sensitive in the front of their brains rarely experience weed fear, while those who are THC sensitive in the back of their brain are more prone to cannabis-induced anxiety.

TIED TOGETHER: Does Marijuana Make You Paranoid? Study suggests your genes are to blame

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Tolerance level

The user’s tolerance level determines how well the fear of weeds can be managed. Women tend to develop a higher tolerance to cannabis in less time. The frequency of use is an important factor in how well a person can develop tolerance to cannabis.

mood

Anxiety patients tend to make their symptoms worse if they use cannabis during an episode. Few feel relieved of anxiety immediately after consuming cannabis, the rest only experience more severe symptoms.

Dealing with weed-induced anxiety

Experts say the first thing to do when experiencing fear of weeds is to accept and fully understand what is going on. Fighting fear without accepting it will only make the situation worse. Even during regular anxious moments, individuals are always advised to accept this first, although it is difficult to do.

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If symptoms persist after a few breaths, the next step is to take a cold shower. The sudden rush of cold water can be enough to get you out of this confused state. If you can’t take a cold shower, pour some water over your neck.

Another suggestion is the distraction technique. This includes eating or drinking something, going for a walk, watching a movie, or listening to soothing music. This will help keep the mind away from the nagging thoughts that are ravaging the mind.

A positive attitude also helps.

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Prevention is better than cure

It is better to prevent anxiety caused by weed than to treat the condition.

The most effective way to prevent these traumatizing episodes is to use products with more CBD and less THC. This works for beginners and experts as the CBD compound helps offset the psychoactive effects of THC.

Bottom line

The effects of weed-induced anxiety will diminish over time, depending on the type of ingestion and the amount consumed. Responsible use of cannabis enables you to enjoy the drug’s benefits without the risk of traumatizing weed-anxiety episodes.

Beginners, remember that just a few puffs out of a joint is okay for the first time. Acclimatize to the effects of the drug before increasing your dose.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and was republished with permission.