Anxiety: Can medical cannabis help?
In this blog, we’re looking at post-covid anxiety and how medical cannabis could be a beneficial treatment for millennials facing such rising concerns.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widespread mental health issues amongst many, with millennials disproportionately affected, exhibiting the highest levels of both clinically significant anxiety and covid-related concerns.
How many young adults are affected by anxiety?
The NHS has reported a significant uptick in the number of people taking antidepressants since 2021, with a staggering 83.4 million items prescribed in 2021/22.
However, a recent study by Mamedica reveals that an overwhelming 71% of young adults (25-34-year-olds) have been living with severe anxiety for several years and are yet to find a remedy.
In the upcoming weeks, we will be launching the full scope of our research and the solution medical cannabis can provide for millions of Brits living with mental health conditions and chronic pain – stay tuned by following our social media channels and blog.
Why is anxiety amongst millennials on the rise?
Anxiety is the body’s natural reaction to stressful or dangerous situations, and this response was heightened for many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Existing research demonstrates that young adults are at their most vulnerable to experiencing mental health difficulties, with half of the mental health disorders emerging in the late teen years and three-quarters developing by the mid-20s.
Why is medical cannabis an effective treatment?
Since its legalisation for medical purposes in the UK in 2018, the benefits of using cannabis-based prescriptions to treat a range of health conditions are becoming increasingly popular. However, this soar in prescriptions is one that is almost exclusively observed in private clinics, such as Mamedica, who provides bespoke treatment plans to patients when traditional medication has failed.
While chronic pain medications remain one of the most sought-after in the clinic, our healthcare specialists have noticed a consistent rise in the number of young adults seeking symptom relief for psychiatric illness – most commonly, anxiety.
There is an abundance of evidence that cannabis can help to mitigate symptoms of stress and anxiety.
In one study, published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 38% of 1,746 patients reported that their medical cannabis relieved anxiety, 17% said the same for panic attacks, and 55% said that it improved relaxation.
Meet Calliope Hale-Pereira, a London-based patient who shared her experience with accessing medical cannabis via Mamedica with The Sunday Times:
“I have tried so many different anxiety treatments since I was 16, and most, if not all, have disagreed with me somehow.
The isolation that came with the pandemic exacerbated every problem I already had, predominantly my anxiety. Eventually, the idea of going outside again and having to work out how to be a sociable person became an anxiety in itself.“
“I was always having to defend myself from the stigma of taking cannabis, even though I knew it worked for me,” she said. “None of that exists any more.”
“I was already aware that cannabis can help with anxiety, but I was just consistently concerned with the shame and guilt of the stereotypes surrounding using it. When I heard the laws had changed about accessing cannabis for medical reasons, I decided instantly this was the medication route I wanted to try. I was taken aback by the benefits and was reassured by the extra security provided by my doctor.”
“Being able to use medical cannabis freely has been one of the most life-changing experiences. I have a doctor from Mamedica who calls whenever I have an issue or a question, as well as regular appointments to check how I’m doing every few months. The entire process was so quick for me, and it takes so much off my back that I had to deal with.
How can treatment with Mamedica benefit someone struggling with chronic anxiety?
Medical cannabis can assist in regulating the body’s endocannabinoid system. Thereby, playing a key role in processing emotions such as fear, stress, and anxiety. If you are affected by a condition such as anxiety, and find traditional medicines to be ineffective, you may benefit from medical cannabis treatment.
Jon Robson, CEO and founder of Mamedica, said: “It has been proven that CBD and low doses of THC can help alleviate the sense of dread and worry associated with anxiety for patients and deliver a general improvement in wellbeing and happiness. All products released to be prescribed in the UK have to undergo rigorous testing. Within that testing process, you are able to identify exactly what’s in that particular cannabis strain or a particular vape cartridge, in terms of THC, CBD and terpenes.” Read more about how medical cannabis can help those with anxiety here.
After your first initial consultation with our clinic, one of our specialist doctors will prescribe a treatment plan that is personal to you. You can find out if medical cannabis could be an option for you by checking your eligibility in under 60 seconds here.