As an alternative to medications like antidepressants and mood stabilizers, medical marijuana use is increasingly popular for psychiatric purposes. At Sage Mental Wellness in Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland, Audra Worthington, MSN, PMHNP-BC often prescribes medical marijuana alongside psychotherapy or counseling. Learn more about the mental health purposes of medical marijuana by scheduling a treatment consultation by phone or online today.
Medical marijuana is a substance from the Cannabis Sativa plant and contains several active compounds beneficial in health care with several applications. The two main active compounds in medical marijuana are:
THC is a compound that acts on your brain and produces the “high” associated with marijuana use. Many people report a sense of euphoria or sedation from consuming THC, which benefits those suffering from several psychiatric conditions.
CBD is significantly less psychoactive (mind-altering) than THC. It doesn’t make you feel high, but it can lessen some of the more potent effects of THC. You might also feel a sense of calmness from CBD by itself.
Sage Mental Wellness offers medical marijuana as a possible alternative to mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, and other medications commonly used in psychiatry. While medical marijuana isn’t the best fit for everyone, it doesn’t have as many risks or side effects as many pharmaceutical medications.
The Sage Mental Wellness team might prescribe medical marijuana to help with mental health conditions and specific symptoms, including:
Of course, the team includes medical marijuana, among other treatments like counseling or psychotherapy. At Sage Mental Wellness, the team works closely with you until they find an effective treatment that aligns with your needs.
Medical marijuana is available in many forms, and the team will discuss the choices with you during your next appointment at Sage Mental Wellness.
You can take CBD and THC products in the following forms:
This decision mostly comes down to your personal preferences and how easy each choice is to use. You might try different forms of medical marijuana before you make a preferred choice to use in treatment.
The Sage Mental Wellness team checks in with you regularly during your in-person or telemedicine appointments. During your visits, the team re-evaluates your treatment and ensures you’re getting positive results. They decide how long you should continue using medical marijuana for mental health purposes.
Call Sage Mental Wellness today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about medical marijuana for mental health.