Can Medical Marijuana Doctor in Oakland Recommend Cannabis for Panic Disorder?

Do you always feel worried or anxious? Do these feelings seem to occur daily? If so, you might have panic disorder.

Don’t panic! You are not alone.

According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, more than 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorder - around 18.1% of the population yearly - which makes it one of the most common mental illnesses in America.

In fact, only 36.9 % people with panic disorder receive proper treatment despite the fact that there are many treatments available for panic disorder.

Fortunately, you can now alleviate the symptoms of panic disorder without the use of traditional medications. The legalization of cannabis has made it possible for people with serious illnesses to use cannabis. And if you are open to the idea of using cannabis, you can now use it to treat your panic attacks. However, you are required to obtain a medical marijuana card in Oakland or any other city where cannabis is legal.

Types of panic disorder

There are basically six types of panic disorders:

Panic Attacks or Anxiety

Fear and worry are two major characteristics of panic disorder. Even though there isn’t usually any real danger, people suffering from panic attacks experience shaking, nausea, heavy breathing and other physical reactions.

Phobias

Phobias are associated with fear for specific things, activities or scenarios to an extreme degree. For instance some people have experience fear from heights, insects, closed rooms and more.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized anxiety disorder is associated with excessive and persistent worry about a variety of different things. It makes the sufferer feel worried all the time unnecessarily.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders people are suffering from. It is also called social phobia. The patient experiences unnatural panic attacks when meeting new people or even walking out of the house.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

This panic disorder is associated with unwanted behaviors and thoughts, which often take over an individual’s self-control. For instance, people with OCD keeps worrying about whether they’ve turned off the lights before leaving the house or not.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such near-death experience, participation in war or anything else cause PTSD. Symptoms may include sudden shivers, flashbacks of the event, depressed mood or more.

Symptoms of panic disorder

Panic attacks are often triggered by sudden, strong feelings of fear. Here are the symptoms and signs of panic disorder.

• Sweating
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Shaking or trembling
• Stomach pains or nausea
• Feeling detached or unreal
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Tingling or numbness in your body
• A choking feeling
• Hot flashes or chills
• A fear of going crazy or losing control
• A fear of dying
• Feeling of being smothered or shortness of breath

Panic attacks are often last for 10-15 minutes. However, severe attacks are also last for hours. During a panic attack, some might feel they are having a heart attack or a stroke. Some patients often reach emergency room just because of a panic attack.

Medical Marijuana and Panic Disorder

According to some studies conducted, it has been found that cannabis can help combat stress. However, there are certain studies that also state that cannabis may cause psychosis in people with depression and anxiety.

When consuming cannabis at higher doses, it might induce more panic attacks and stress. However, if taken effectively and in lower quantities, it can significantly reduce anxiety, stress and panic attacks.

Medical marijuana has an active compound called cannabinoid that interacts with our body’s natural endocannabinoid system and trigger the feeling of happiness and relaxation. The compound is most prevalent in indica strains and thus, it is advised to consume an indica strain for better results. 

Also Read: Cannabis and Prozac

However, if this is your first time using cannabis, consult with a licensed and qualified medical marijuana doctor in Oakland to know which strain is right for you and how much to consume.

Medical marijuana has been proven to treat an array of medical conditions including chronic pain, arthritis, Cachexia, Glaucoma and more. And panic disorder is no different provided you know how to consume it effectively.