The rising cost of prescription drugs, the opioid crisis, concerns over side effects, and a growing interest in natural remedies have increased the popularity of drug alternatives in Florida. Many seek safer, more affordable options to manage their medical conditions. This has resulted in a shift in attitudes towards alternative medicine and an influx of new alternative treatment options. In this context, medical marijuana has emerged as a popular drug alternative in Florida due to its potential therapeutic benefits and fewer side effects than traditional prescription drugs.
This article delves into the symptoms of stress and how marijuana’s therapeutic properties can ease the condition.
What is stress?
Stress manifests as an underlying mental health condition that arises from pressure caused by various factors, including environmental triggers, daily tasks, negative emotions, and tension. Stress serves as both an indicator and a contributing factor that can play a role in the development of mental health problems. Moreover, if left unaddressed, stress can affect the mind, emotions, and bodily systems, leading to mental health disorders.
Clinical studies show that stress can be present, even if it is difficult to diagnose. Sometimes, stress can arise from minor incidents in daily life, such as missing a train, incomplete tasks, workplace problems, or losing a loved one.
Signs of Stress
Stress is a persistent condition that may interfere with your daily routines. It can interfere with your daily chores, body functions, health condition, and decisions. Also, all individuals’ stress symptoms vary, as does the coping mechanism. Therefore, talking with your doctor to contain the condition’s symptoms is crucial. Stress-related emotional symptoms include:
- anger, the feeling of being annoyed
- feeling overwhelmed
- having trouble unwinding and calming your mind
- poor self-esteem
- avoidance of others
Stress-related cognitive problems include:
- persistent concern
- flustered thinking
- forgetting things and being disorganized
- lack of concentration
- poor judgment abilities
- being pessimistic
Although occasional stress may affect anyone daily, prolonged stress can lead to various health issues, such as psychological disorders, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
Moreover, stress can contribute to heart disease, causing hypertension, an irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and even strokes. In addition, stress has been linked to skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and hair loss, which can be irreversible. These symptoms can adversely affect an individual’s health and overall wellness.
Effects of Stress on your Chronic Health Condition
Stress can significantly impact chronic health conditions in various ways. Here are some common effects:
1.Increased Inflammation
Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol, leading to increased inflammation. For individuals with conditions like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, this can exacerbate symptoms and worsen the progression of the disease.
2.Weakened Immune System
Chronic stress can negatively affect the immune system, making an individual more susceptible to diseases.
3.Worsening Symptoms
Stress can worsen the symptoms of migraines, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and fibromyalgia etc. Increased pain, fatigue, and discomfort are common responses to heightened stress levels.
4.Disrupted Sleep
Stress often interferes with sleep quality and quantity. For individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, inadequate sleep can exacerbate symptoms and contribute to complications such as insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure.
5.Impact on Mental Health
Chronic stress is closely linked to mental health issues. For individuals already managing a chronic health condition, the added burden of mental health challenges can further complicate their overall well-being.
Medical Marijuana Legalization
In Florida, after the passage of Amendment 2, medical marijuana gained attention as a drug alternative for those diagnosed with specific medical conditions. This approval paved the way for licensed physicians to recommend medical marijuana as a treatment option for patients who qualify under the state’s medical marijuana program.
Since then, many dispensaries have opened up across the state, offering various medical marijuana products such as oils, tinctures, edibles, and topical creams. As a result, medical marijuana has become an increasingly popular drug alternative in Florida, providing patients with a safe and effective option to manage their medical conditions. As of now, it has become a viable drug alternative for epilepsy, stress and anxiety disorders, Crohn’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, among others.
Using Medical Cannabis against Stress
Using cannabis for therapeutic purposes has been a common practice for centuries. The cannabinoids found in cannabis have potential healing effects and may help with various neurological and mental health issues.
The two cannabinoids with the most significant concentrations are cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Cannabidiol has been in the spotlight in the health industry as a non-psychoactive compound with an anti-anxiety nature.
CBD and its Stress-relieving Effects
Research suggests cannabidiol (CBD) may interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, including CB1 and CB2 receptors. This interaction can influence anxiety levels; however, the exact mechanisms are still being researched.
While a direct link between CBD and serotonin is not clear, some studies suggest CBD may play a role in regulating mood and potentially reducing anxiety. Moreover, THC and CBD can help patients with sleep disorders and insomnia and can significantly lower feelings of anxiety and stress.
However, adding marijuana to your daily medication requires consultation with a marijuana doctor and obtaining your medical marijuana card. A medical marijuana doctor can help eligible patients with a medical marijuana card and offer guidance on the legal steps to get it.
They can also offer personalized treatment roadmaps to patients. By getting a marijuana card, you can buy cannabis from any well-known marijuana dispensary, including Curaleaf and Green Dragon.
Conclusion
Stress can negatively affect your chronic health condition and daily activities. It can have a negative effect on your life. Nevertheless, choosing the right treatment strategy can allow you to live a healthy life. Medical marijuana can offer stress relief owing to its soothing effects on the mind and body. Therefore, you must speak with our medical marijuana doctors at My Florida Green to lawfully add this drug to your medical plan.
