Does Cannabis Cause Or Treat Anxiety?

This article was originally published on The Cannabis Community and appears here with permission.

As more states legalize cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes, an increasing number of people are turning to it to treat anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). According to some research, cannabis consumption can cause anxiety symptoms. However, other studies suggest that, when used carefully, cannabis can help with anxiety symptoms. Continue reading to learn more about the connection between cannabis and anxiety.

Anxiety can cause a flood of emotions!

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a worry, tension, uneasiness, or fear associated with a certain event or scenario. An elevated heartbeat or perspiration are common physical symptoms in people who suffer from anxiety. It is a common reaction to stress or stressful conditions. People may develop an anxiety disorder if they experience excessive anxiety, which becomes a persistent condition.

Anxiety symptoms include:

• worried feelings
• irritability
• restlessness
• a feeling of being on the verge
• sleeping problems
• concentration problems

Anxiety manifests itself physically in a variety of ways.

• faster heartbeat
• breathing problems
• nausea
• sweating
• a sense of weakness
• stomach ache
• dizziness
• flashes of heat

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis sativa is a plant whose flower, leaves, and even seed oil are used for recreational and therapeutic purposes. The most abundant and well-known active components and chemicals in cannabis are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

To summarize, THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that causes the “high” feeling.

CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical that has a variety of therapeutic applications and doesn’t cause a “high” feeling.

When used recreationally, cannabis can cause a range of feelings, including:

• relaxation 
• elation or euphoria 
• alterations in the perception of color, taste, sound, time, or space
• an increase in appetite when used recreationally 

Apart from the recreational effects, CBD and THC may have a number of medicinal benefits, including the treatment of anxiety. 

But the issue is that, while cannabis usage is becoming increasingly mainstream, less is known about the drug’s usefulness for certain medical ailments, as well as its long-term implications.

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Can Cannabis Treat Anxiety?

There aren’t many human clinical trials examining cannabis as an anxiety therapy. Nevertheless, a growing body of evidence — from research on animals to surveys of patients — indicates that cannabis may help This is especially true when marijuana is sold as CBD oil.

CBD oil was found to improve anxiety symptoms in patients with social anxiety disorder in a 2010 study. Participants’ brains were scanned, and it was discovered that CBD oil caused alterations in blood flow to areas of the brain connected to anxiety. This data implies that CBD oil can aid in the treatment of anxiety.

According to a 2015 analysis, CBD oil may potentially help with a variety of anxiety conditions, including:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder

However, most previously-conducted studies about cannabis only used animal models. These preclinical and human findings have largely focused only on acute CBD doses in healthy participants. More research is needed to see if it has similar effects in clinical groups. Overall, this analysis highlights the potential use of CBD in the treatment of anxiety, as well as the need for further research.

A 2018 study looked at the effectiveness of cannabis in treating depression and anxiety. According to the findings of this study, medical cannabis users report a considerable reduction in negative affect symptoms quickly after consuming cannabis. Interestingly, while acute cannabis intoxication seems to reduce sadness, anxiety, and stress temporarily, repeated use does not seem to result in a long-term improvement of symptoms, and can, in some cases, worsen depression over time.

Can Cannabis Cause Anxiety?

Even if cannabis restrictions were abolished in most states and researchers could utilize cannabis in their research, there would be another issue. Anxiety issues and cannabis responses are both highly personal. As a result, cannabis may benefit one person with anxiety but not another.

Your reaction to cannabis may be very different than how others react.

Someone with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, such as problems sleeping, may adapt positively to cannabis use whereas someone with panic disorder, who is afraid of losing control, may not.

The effectiveness of medical cannabis in treating neurological diseases was investigated in a 2014 study. According to the findings, some patients who took the cannabis medicine experienced anxiety as a side effect, which points to a relationship between anxiety and greater THC levels. The study also encouraged further research by stating that cannabinoids should be examined like other treatments to establish their efficacy, and should be prescribed like other drugs once evidence is available. As more states legalize and decriminalize cannabis, it should inspire researchers to keep looking for explanations about the benefits of cannabis use in patients with neurological illnesses.

Cannabis Alternatives

When confronted with something that feels dangerous to you, remember that some worry is normal and even beneficial. When anxiety becomes prevalent and difficult to manage, it’s important to seek professional treatment and talk about various options for anxiety management.

Prescription Medication

Medical professionals recommend those with anxiety use prescribed medication for cannabis, since the long-term dangers have been well-studied and may be less severe than those associated with long-term cannabis use. Some antianxiety drugs are taken on a regular basis, while others are taken just when intense anxiety or a panic attack strikes.

If you need it, a psychiatrist or your primary care physician can prescribe an antianxiety drug.

Therapy

Work with your doctor to design a treatment plan that is best for you. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of therapy can help you uncover the underlying reason for your anxiety and help you manage it more successfully. 

Proactive coping skills — which can be learned through counseling, support groups, self-help books, and instructional websites — can help people make long-term changes without the harmful effects of cannabis usage.

CBD Oil

Many people try CBD oil because it is nonpsychoactive and readily available.

CBD oil does not contain THC and so does not provide the same mind-altering effects as cannabis. There is preliminary evidence that CBD may be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and addiction, but additional clinical studies are needed.

Wondering how to choose the best medical cannabis strain for your specific condition? This article will help guide you through the process.

In conclusion, cannabis — particularly CBD and low doses of THC — has been shown to reduce anxiety symptoms momentarily. If you decide to try cannabis, bear in mind that it can make some people feel anxious. It’s impossible to know how it will impact you unless you try it. It’s advisable to take it with caution and in tiny amounts, especially when starting out.

There is little research on how cannabis affects anxiety symptoms such as irritability, muscle tightness, and excessive worrying. It may potentially cause anxiousness in certain people. Cannabis may relieve anxiety in some people, but this does not guarantee it is a safe or effective medication.

Anxiety symptoms can be managed. Psychotherapy and medication have been shown to be successful for the majority of people, but the long-term implications of self-medicating with cannabis have yet to be determined. Tell your doctor if you’ve just started experimenting with cannabis to help your anxiety.

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