Cannabis and Anxiety

According to several research, cannabis consumption can cause anxiety symptoms. Other research, on the other hand, suggests that, when taken correctly, cannabis can help with anxiety symptoms.

A Washington State University study looked at different strains and dosages of cannabis breathed by patients at home to see how it combats stress, anxiety, and depression.

Researchers are frequently challenged with resolving the question of whether cannabis might be effective in treating diseases like anxiety-related disorders as the legalization of medical cannabis spreads across the United States. Cannabis usage is usually associated with worsening anxiety symptoms and interfering with evidence-based treatments like exposure therapy. However, preliminary study suggests that there may be some advantages. CBD is frequently a recommended starting point for inexperienced users turning to medical cannabis as an alternate option for anxiety reduction, as long as it is managed under the supervision of both a medical provider and a mental health expert.

What is Anxiety?

It is a feeling of worry, tension, nervousness, or fear relating to a specific event or situation. People with anxiety often also experience some physical symptoms, including an increased heartbeat or sweating.

It is a normal reaction in response to stress or stressful situations. However, if people experience excessive anxiety, which becomes a persistent problem, they may have an anxiety disorder.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis, sometimes referred to as “marijuana,” is made up cannabinoids, which are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant.  Cannabinoids act on cannabinoid receptors in the brain that make up the endocannabinoid system, which plays an important role in a host of bodily processes, including memory, perception of pain, mood, and appetite. The two most commonly known and studied cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), with the former being the principal psychoactive component of cannabis and the latter being a non-intoxicating compound.

In recreational use, cannabis can trigger the following effects and feelings:

• relaxation

• elation or euphoria

• paranoia

• confusion

• changes perceiving color, taste, sounds, time, or space

• an increased appetite

People who use cannabis can consume it in the following ways:

• smoking or vaping

• drinking it in tea

• consuming it in edibles such as brownies or cakes

• eating it raw

• rubbing a topical preparation on their skin

• consuming capsules or supplements

Can cannabis treat anxiety?

There are only a few human clinical trials looking at cannabis as a treatment for anxiety. However, a rising body of evidence, ranging from animal studies to user surveys, suggests that the medicine may be effective. This is especially true when the cannabis is in the form of CBD oil.

One 2010 study found that CBD oil reduced anxiety symptoms in people with social anxiety disorder. Participants had their brains scanned, revealing that CBD oil triggered changes in blood flow to regions in the brain linked with feelings of anxiety. These findings suggest CBD oil can help treat anxiety. It also reveals the mechanism of how CBD interacts with the brain to achieve this.

A 2015 reviewTrusted Source analyzed previous research into CBD oil, stating the vast majority of the research used animal models. However, based on these studies, CBD oil could potentially reduce several anxiety disorders. These included post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Human studies are needed to confirm these findings in animals. Furthermore, this research generally only used acute CBD dosing. Therefore, scientists need to conduct more studies to establish whether chronic dosing has similar effects, sustained effects, or both.

How it can help

There's no denying that marijuana is widely used to treat anxiety.

Commonly reported benefits of marijuana use include:

• increased sense of calm

• improved relaxation

• better sleep

Advice on how to use it safely

If you're thinking about using marijuana for anxiety, there are a few things you can do to lower your chances of it worsening your symptoms.

• Go for CBD over THC. If you’re new to marijuana, start with a product that contains only CBD or a much higher ratio of CBD to THC. Remember, higher levels of THC are what tend to make anxiety symptoms worse.

• Go slow. Start with a low dose. Give it plenty of time to work before using more.

• Purchase marijuana from a dispensary. Trained staff can offer guidance based on the symptoms you’re looking to treat and help you find the right type of marijuana for your needs. When you buy from a dispensary, you also know you’re getting a legitimate product.

• Know about interactions. Marijuana can interact with or reduce the effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including vitamins and supplements. It’s best to let your healthcare provider know if you’re using marijuana. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can also talk to a pharmacist.

• Tell your therapist. If you’re working with a therapist, make sure to loop them in, too. They can help you evaluate how well it’s working for your symptoms and offer additional guidance.