Have I Been Treating My Anxiety with Cannabis Wrong?
A common question I hear from people is “Can I use marijuana to treat my anxiety?”
Due to the wide variety in types of anxiety, as well as the types and potency of cannabis products and the way the individual reacts to them, this is a very complex question to answer. However, with a little research and some self examination, many users find that cannabis can help to address symptoms of anxiety.
When I was younger, puffing on whatever buds my dealer had on hand was all I needed to kick off life’s worries and find a happy, relaxed frame of mind. But now, the stress is greater and the cannabis I get from my dispensary is far more potent than anything I’ve had in the past, making paranoia a more common side effect. This has led me to take a more tactful approach to using cannabis, especially when I am experiencing anxiety.
So does cannabis help with the symptoms of anxiety? Both anecdotal evidence and early medical research suggests that cannabis can play a role in the management of the symptoms of anxiety.
Researchers at Washington State University published a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders that found that smoking cannabis can significantly reduce self-reported levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in the short term.
However, it is important to remember that cannabis isn’t a cure for anxiety. Patients use it to address the symptoms of anxiety only, and cannabis may end up being just one tool patients will use to manage their anxiety.
Less is More
If you’ve ever used high THC cannabis, you know that the anti-anxiety effects are diminishing the more that you use. Or think of it this way. When using cannabis in lower doses, anxiety is eased. However, after a certain point, too high a dose of THC can increase anxiety and paranoia, as demonstrated in this study.
That means when beginning a regimen of using cannabis to address your anxiety, it’s best to start low and increase your dose as needed. The last thing you want to do when treating your anxiety with cannabis is to make it worse.
Edibles, which can cause strong effects, are best used with care. While many cannabis consumers with anxiety avoid edibles to prevent a bad experience, when used carefully and at low doses, edibles can offer convenient, lasting relief from stress and tension.
What About CBD?
Some studies show that CBD, another cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, can be effective at reducing anxious feelings. Many, including the U.S.government, classify cannabis plants as either marijuana or hemp, based on THC levels. Marijuana is higher in THC, while hemp is higher in CBD.
A 2019 study found anxiety scores decreased with CBD over a month in 72 patients with anxiety and sleep concerns. Another study of 24 people with social anxiety disorder showed that one 600 mg dose of CBD reduced performance anxiety and cognitive impairment in a speech performance. Although these studies are far from conclusive, they suggest that cannabis products high in CBD may help reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
A popular recreational choice for cannabis consumers prone to anxiety seems to be products with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD to limit paranoid or anxious feelings.
How Should I Use Cannabis for Anxiety?
Dosing of cannabis for anxiety can be tricky. As discussed above, individuals react to cannabis in different ways, and some are much more sensitive to its effects than others. Anxiety itself also manifests in many different ways, so what works treatment wise for one patient might not work the same for others.
Keeping a notebook detailing how and when you use cannabis to manage your symptoms of anxiety can help give you insight into how different doses, strains, and product types affect you. Start low and adjust your dosing up or down until you reach the effects you are looking for. Remember, like many other drugs, THC and CBD build up in the body, making them more effective over time. However, regular use can also increase your tolerance, requiring larger doses for similar effects.
Because edibles and capsules take so long to be absorbed by the body, they are best used when you want to microdose or are looking for more long lasting relief. For faster effects when experiencing the onset of anxiety or a panic attack, methods such as smoking, vaping, or sublingual application of oils or tinctures under the tongue are preferred.
Just One Tool on the Belt
Cannabis can be an effective solution for addressing symptoms of anxiety, but it likely won’t be the only method you use day to day.
When talking about managing anxiety, patients might also consider
Therapy
Support Groups
Pharmaceuticals
Meditation
Journaling
One of the most traditional routes for mental health care is therapy. A trained therapist can help you understand your anxiety and offer tools to help cope with your symptoms. However, finding a therapist who embraces your use of medical marijuana can be tricky. In the past, I’ve had to end my sessions with a therapist because they were against the idea of medical cannabis.
Support groups are another way that many patients cope with the anxiety they live with. While formal support groups with people who understand your specific personal experiences can be effective, you may also find that friends and family members can also support you if you share what you are experiencing.
Many medical marijuana patients start using it to address their anxiety with the hope of getting off their traditional pharmaceuticals. While some are able to achieve this, it is not a realistic goal for everyone. Work with a mental health professional who understands how cannabis can be used effectively for anxiety to integrate medical marijuana products into your current treatment plan.
Meditation has been hailed for its ability to help patients manage their anxiety. Combining cannabis with your meditation can boost its calming effects and, for some patients, aids in quieting the mind of anxious thoughts.
Knowing your own triggers for your anxiety and your personal response to cannabis products gives you an advantage when using cannabis to help your anxiety. Consider keeping a journal or notebook that lists when, why, and how you use cannabis products for anxiety. The level of detail you include is up to you, but including these basics will allow you to better understand anxious situations and how you approached them.