Can Weed Really Help Anxiety?

Read Time:2 Minute, 49 Second

As someone who suffers from anxiety I have found there to be thousands of resources available to me through therapy, websites, and counselors. I have spent the last six years of my life filling out paperwork analyzing my behaviors and thought patterns, trying CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and buying any sort of “anxiety relief” drinks, snacks, or medications in order to take the best care of myself. But what I have found to be more effective than anything, is weed.

The Science Behind Weed and Anxiety

Cannabis as you may already know contains two primary active compounds, THC and CBD. THC is the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” associated with marijuana use, while CBD is non-psychoactive and has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects. Research has shown that both THC and CBD can have an impact on anxiety, but the specific effects can vary based on factors such as dosage, the strain of cannabis, and individual differences in biology and sensitivity to the drug. Personally I’ve found that indica calms my nighttime anxiety better than sativa, so I make sure the edibles I take at night are indica.

I read a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology that found that a single dose of CBD reduced anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder, while another study in the same journal found that THC reduced anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder. A review of existing research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders also found that cannabis use was associated with a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression. The more I began to research, the more benefits I became aware of.

Anecdotal Evidence of Weed and Anxiety

While the scientific evidence is still somewhat limited, many people have reported using cannabis to help with anxiety. In a survey of medical cannabis users published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 40% of respondents reported using cannabis to manage symptoms of anxiety, and 96% reported that cannabis had helped to reduce their anxiety. Being a part of those percentages allowed me to utilize cannabis for mental health purposes.

It’s worth noting that not everyone experiences the same effects from cannabis use, and some people may find that it actually increases their anxiety or has other negative effects. As with any medication or treatment, be sure to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your individual needs!

Sources:

Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
Cuttler, C., Spradlin, A., & McLaughlin, R. J. (2018). A naturalistic examination of the perceived effects of cannabis on negative affect. Journal of Affective Disorders, 235, 198–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.054
Johnson, J. R., Burnell-Nugent, M., Lossignol, D., Ganae-Motan, E. D., Potts, R., & Fallon, M. T. (2010). Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of THC:CBD Extract and THC Extract in Patients with Intractable Cancer-Related Pain. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(2), 167–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.06.008
Sarris, J., Sinclair, J., Karamacoska, D., Davidson, M

Photos: Pexels, Pexels