Originally posted on https://www.promises.com/addiction-blog/marijuana-and-anxiety/

Does smoking weed reduce anxiety? In the alternative, is it true that it can cause it, too? In the discussion involving marijuana and anxiety, not all who speak out compare apples to apples. Here’s what you need to know.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Relieves Anxiety for Some People

In the marijuana and anxiety debate, few people mention CBD. It’s the primary substance people rely on to overcome panic attacks. CBD is one of the cannabinoids in marijuana. Interestingly, it’s possible to isolate this compound.

Therefore, you don’t have to smoke weed. In fact, you don’t even have to deal with the THC, which is the component that gets you high. CBD is non-habit-forming and non-rewarding. You can buy CBD – where it’s legal to do so – as drops, creams, or edibles.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Causes Anxiety in Some People

They call it weed anxiety. When discussing marijuana and anxiety, marijuana addiction treatment center therapists frequently meet people who had panic attacks after smoking it. Almost all who dealt with weed anxiety say they didn’t like the sudden loss of control they felt. That’s because THC, the addictive substance that causes the high, affects everyone differently.

Marijuana and Anxiety

Both CBD and THC come in different quantities. When you buy weed to smoke it, the potency of the strain determines the THC amount. Therefore, you don’t know how it’ll affect you. CBD extract comes in pre-measured quantities.

You can gradually work your way up to a dose that works for you. However, there’s a bigger picture to consider. If you don’t want to rely on CBD but instead reach for the habit-forming drug, consider the implications. You’re self-medicating with a drug rather than handling the situations that affect you.

Over time, you develop a chemical dependency. If it already happened, you’ll most likely notice that the anxiety is back, too. Rehab is the answer to this problem. There, you work with therapists who help you deal with life as well as overcome addiction.

Possible treatments include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy that lets you determine and change dysfunctional patterns in your actions
• Dialectical behavior treatment for the ability to regain control over your feelings
• Dual diagnosis treatment for clients who present with underlying anxiety and other mental health conditions
• Trauma treatment that focuses on having you process traumatic experiences from the past
• Family counseling, which helps loved ones understand what your stressors and triggers are

Finding a Healthy Way to Deal with Anxiety

If your anxiety relates to daily stresses you experience, it’s a good idea to learn how to handle them. Examples might include meditation and mindfulness training. Conversely, if you have an anxiety disorder, it may require intervention by a psychologist. Smoking marijuana to deal with anxiety isn’t a good answer.

Find out today how you can overcome the trap of self-medicating with marijuana and anxiety. If you already developed a chemical dependency, it’s possible to break out of the cycle. Connect with the therapists at Promises today to get help. Dial 1.713.528.3709 now.