What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts about anxiety (obsessions) that contaminate compulsive behaviors. 

This condition has a significant impact on the lives of many individuals, especially adults. While we discuss OCD, as per the researchers, the endocannabinoid system plays a vital part in controlling fretful feelings and behaviours.

Endocannabinoids are nothing but fat-based neurotransmitters that our body gets via CB1 and CB2 receptors, which aid in controlling sleep, mood, and anxiety.

According to research, CB1 receptors found mainly in the brain can control fear and anxious behaviour, which are major signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Does weed (Medical Marijuana) help with OCD?

The treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder using medical marijuana can be challenging as larger dosages of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) raise fear and anxiety signs. Also, there is not much qualitative exploration or scientific trials associated with OCD precisely. However, there is loads of info related to how cannabis aids in easing anxiety and its possible usage as an extra device at the time of fear exposure treatment sessions. 

In animal models of fretfulness and compulsive behaviours, CBD has been proven to alleviate these signs.

Cannabinoids indirectly trigger the CB1 receptors and interfere with adenosine signalling within the brain to ease anxiety, as per the research. Moreover, preclinical studies in rats prove that there is a potential for weed to lessen the constant reaction of the body to fear and aid in keeping equilibrium between habitual and goal-directed actions within the brain.

OCD Signs

OCD generally incorporates both compulsions and obsessions. However, it is too likely to have just obsession signs or compulsion signs. The sufferer might or might not get that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational or extreme. However, the compulsions and obsessions take some time and impede the sufferer’s day-to-day routine.

Signs of Obsession

Obsessions due to OCD are frequent, continuous, and annoying thoughts, desires, or imageries that are disturbing and lead to fear or nervousness. The patient may strive to ignore them or eradicate them with compulsive behaviour or custom. These obsessions generally interfere as you are striving to imagine or perform other things.

Some common obsession signs:

1.     Wanting things tidy and balanced
2.     Fear of dirt or contamination
3.     Violent or horrifying feelings associated with losing control and harming others and yourself.
4.     Disbelieving and having problems in bearing uncertainty

Other signs of obsession:

1.     Unpleasant sexual images
2.     Fear of being dirty by touching things that are touched by other people.  
3.     Intense worry while things are not well-ordered or facing a specific direction.
4.     Images of bumping a car into a horde of people.
5.     Avoiding situations that can lead to obsessions. For example, shaking hands.
6.     Feelings of shouting vulgarities or acting wrongly in front of people.

Signs of Compulsion

Compulsions from OCD are recurrent feelings that you sense are driven to do. These recurrent feelings or psychological actions are meant to ease the anxiety associated with obsessions or avert anything wrong from taking place. But, involving in the compulsions offers no pleasure and might give only short-term respite from stress.

The sufferer might create rules or customs to adhere to that aid in regulating stress in situations of obsessive feelings. These OCD compulsions are extreme and generally aren’t practically associated with the problem they are made to solve.

Following are a few examples of compulsion signs:

1.     Checking doors repetitively to ensure that they are locked.
2.     Mutely repeating a word or prayer.
3.     Counting in specific patterns.
4.     Washing hands until the skin turns fresh.
5.     Checking the stove recurrently to ensure that it is not on.

The Best Marijuana Doses for OCD Patients

1.     Take a low dosage, between 2 to 20 mg before going to bed, and take marijuana in the daytime after a suitable dosage has been determined.
2.     Higher CBD dose, or 1 mg THC or CBD if the person is anxious about getting weakened.
3.     Adhering to tinges, or marijuana and CBD vape concentrates as product labelling comprises a chemical breakdown of the medicine.

What to Take Into Consideration?

It’s essential to keep in mind that a lot of studies suggest OCD patients avoid medical marijuana. There might be possibilities of a substance abuse disorder. Being an OCD patient, one must ponder the quantity and quality of OCD and anxiety studies related to negative and positive outcomes to the goods of using medical marijuana for this ailment when checking with a doctor or practitioner.

Taking the help of a doctor and regular follow-ups are critical elements of a good, personalized treatment plan. Also, it cannot be substituted with CBD alone. Therefore, whenever you feel any new or worsening signs, always seek medical assistance.