COVID-19 has presented unique obstacles to each of us in Canada and worldwide; there are serious health concerns, uncertainty surrounding school and work, in addition to the financial stress, just to name a few.
With all these factors, it’s not surprising that physicians are seeing a rise in patients with anxiety. For those who have never experienced anxiety, it may present as excessive worrying or just feeling uneasy, and for those who already experience anxiety, they may find their symptoms are worsening.
Studies indicate that medical cannabis may have a positive impact on treating anxiety and has been used in place of, and alongside commonly prescribed anxiety medications. In trying to manage some of the challenges amid COVID-19, many patients are asking if medical cannabis is a viable treatment option for them.
What does anxiety feel like?
In a nutshell, anxiety is the feeling of apprehension or fear which is usually accompanied by physical symptoms, such as palpitations, sweating and the generalized feeling of stress. Everyday activities, such as going to the grocery store or pumping gas can feel overwhelming.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to recognize when to see a physician:
- Are you excessively worrying about daily matters?
- Do you feel restless, nervous or irritable more often than usual?
- How has your sleep been lately?
- Are you able to concentrate on everyday tasks?
- Do you feel more fatigued than usual?
How can medical cannabis help?
It’s important to be kind to yourself; this is a stressful time for everyone, and it’s okay if you feel more anxious than usual. While it’s expected to react to a global pandemic with some level of anxiety, too much anxiety can start to cause harm. Feeling stressed and fearful every day takes a toll on health and well-being very quickly.
Medical cannabis has shown to be effective in treating anxiety and has also been used to decrease or wean patients off other habit-forming anxiety medications. Current evidence suggests medical cannabis has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders and has fewer side effects when compared to traditional pharmaceuticals.
CannaWay Clinic can help you on your path to gaining access to safe, reliable medical cannabis; you can click the link here to book an appointment today.
