Medical cannabis patients report that one common use of cannabis is treatment for anxiety.
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Cannabis for Anxiety
Medical cannabis patients report that one common use of cannabis is treatment for anxiety.
by Peter Kershaw, contributing writer
Everyone will, from time to time, experience anxiety. It comes with burdensome and unpleasant life circumstances. An anxiety reaction is a normal response to a negative life event, usually resulting in fear, worry, doubt, rumination, apprehension, and tension. However, as we work through those circumstances, it’ s quite normal for our anxieties to dissipate. What isn’ t normal is persistent, daily, ongoing, and long-term anxiety. When someone experiences that, it might be an“ Anxiety Disorder.” The negative feelings that often accompany anxiety disorders can include:
● A sense of dread, panic, or doom
● Rapid heart rate
● Rapid breathing( hyperventilation)
● Adrenaline rush
● Trembling
● Queasy stomach, digestion problems
● Sweating
● Insomnia
● Chronic fatigue
● Trouble concentrating, obsessing over present worries
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U. S. They annually affect 40 million adults, age 18 and older, or 18.1 % of the population. 1 Anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobias, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. These disorders dramatically impact quality of life and can be so severe that individuals may be terrified of even getting out of bed or leaving home. In many cases, if not most, anxiety disorders are accompanied by Clinical Depression. They develop from various risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and traumatic life events. Even environmental toxins can be a major factor, especially in children. 2
Common coping mechanisms for anxiety include avoidance and distraction, i. e., avoiding anything that could trigger anxiety and engaging in activities to distract oneself from anxiety. Avoidance and distraction aren’ t inherently harmful, especially if they involve healthy recreations and entertainments without reaching the point of addictive behaviors. However, according to a 2023 national survey,“ 77 % of Americans have used addictive behaviors or unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage their mental health.” 3
Millions of Americans choose unhealthy diversions, one of the most common being excessive drinking. While there’ s nothing problematic in relaxing with a glass of wine after a stressful day, millions of Americans have become dependent on alcohol to cope with anxiety. As a depressant on the nervous system, alcohol does indeed provide short-term anxiety relief. However, when consumed in excess, alcohol tends to worsen anxiety due to rebound effects, disrupted sleep, and altered brain chemistry. More alcohol is needed to achieve the same calming effect, but after the calming effect wears off, the anxiety returns even worse than before. 4
Many anxiety sufferers turn to psychiatry to help them address the underlying causes of their anxieties. If one is fortunate enough to connect with a competent and understanding psychiatrist, this can prove immensely beneficial. Herein lies the problem: competent and understanding psychiatrists can be challenging to identify. Far too many are eager to prescribe pharmaceuticals, which often cause more problems than they cure. Some medications are also highly addictive.
Cannabis for Treating Anxiety
Medical cannabis patients report that one of the most common reasons they use cannabis is for anxiety( second only to pain management). 5 Cannabis is dramatically improving the quality of life for millions of Americans suffering from anxiety and the depression that often accompanies it. Research indicates the endocannabinoid system may be activated in anxiety disorders, particularly the density of CB1 receptors in the amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex. Therefore, it would appear the endocannabinoid system could regulate anxiety. 6
Though cannabis doesn’ t have the dangerous side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, when it comes to anxiety disorders, cannabis still needs to be ingested prudently. As this author has admonished previously, more is not better. Cannabis is“ bi-phasic,” meaning small doses of the right strain can produce positive results. However, large doses( especially of the wrong strain) may exacerbate whatever symptom one is targeting. High-THC strains have the potential to worsen and even trigger anxiety and paranoia in susceptible individuals. Getting stoned can easily prove a negative for anxiety disorders.
Micro-Dosing
Many find“ micro-dosing” extremely effective for treating anxiety. Studies have shown that as little as 3mg a day of THC may prove sufficient for relieving anxiety. 7 A 2017 study noted the bi-phasic action of THC by stating,“ THC appears to decrease anxiety at lower
18 February 2026