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Cannabis for
by Peter Kershaw, contributing writer
Medical cannabis patients report that one of the most common reasons they use cannabis is anxiety( second only to pain management). All of us will, from time to time, experience the unpleasant sensations of anxiety resulting from unanticipated challenging life events.
As life’ s stressors diminish so will our anxieties, or at least that’ s how it works for most of us. Anxiety is considered a normal but unpleasant sensation of apprehension to a negative or threatening life event. Symptoms include fear, worry, rumination, apprehension, and tension. These may be accompanied by unpleasant physical sensations such as a queasy stomach, headache, adrenaline rush, etc.
However, even before this rather tumultuous year facing the constant tariffs news daily, millions of Americans found themselves facing unrelenting anxiety daily.“ Anxiety disorders” are the most common mental illness in the U. S. They annually affect 40 million adults, age 18 and older, or 18.1 % of the population. Anxiety disorders are categorized as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Phobias, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Anxiety disorders dramatically impact quality of life and can even be debilitating to the point where one may be terrified of even getting out of bed or leaving home. In many, if not most cases, anxiety disorders are accompanied by Clinical Depression. Anxiety disorders develop from various risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
Thankfully, cannabis is dramatically improving the quality of life for millions of anxiety-suffering Americans, as well as the depression that so often accompanies it( see this author’ s article in the August 2020 issue on depression). Research indicates the endocannabinoid system may be activated in anxiety disorders, and in particular, the density of the CB1 receptors in the amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex. As such, it would appear the endocannabinoid system can regulate anxiety.
Though cannabis doesn’ t have the same sort of dangerous side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, where it concerns anxiety disorders, cannabis still needs to be ingested prudently. As this author has admonished before, 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 cannabis strains have the potential to exacerbate and even trigger anxiety, as well as paranoia, in susceptible individuals. Getting stoned, though not necessarily a bad thing in other circumstances, may be a negative for anxiety disorders.
Many find“ micro-dosing” is extremely effective for treating anxiety. Micro-dosing allows one to periodically consume small amounts over the course of the day while remaining clear-headed for work. When others at work are taking a smoke break, you can take a toke break( vaping is discreet). Edibles should generally be avoided by all but the most experienced anxiety patients because: 1) Edibles require considerable time to take effect— an hour or more— because they must be digested and processed by the liver. 2) The liver converts 9∆-THC to 11∆-THC, which, for some people, is far more intoxicating and potentially unpleasant. 3) Edibles are challenging to titrate, making it too easy to overdose. 4) Edibles stay in the system hours longer than smoking or vaping, which in an overdose situation, only prolongs potential anxiety. 5) Unless you make your own edibles, you may get a product made from“ isolates”( a pharmaceutical lacking most of the cannabinoids of the plant, and none of the terpenes either).
Smoking and vaping, on the other hand, produce almost immediate results, making it easy to titrate and far less likely to overdose. Vaping can be accomplished both by bud or concentrated oil extracted from the bud. In either case, it’ s very convenient to just take a few hits whenever the need arises. But as this author has warned previously, be very cautious where you source vape oil cartridges. Many can be cut with adulterants that can be harmful to inhale for some.
Setting and mind-set are also important considerations for those suffering from anxiety. Where possible, consume in a quiet and relaxing space. If you’ re with others, make sure they’ re calm and safe people. Seek out cannabis strains that have a respectable amount of CBD. 1:1 strains( or close to that) can be desirable for treating anxiety, and also depression.
When we’ re talking about treating issues other than anxiety, most people will select Sativa dominate strains for daytime use and Indica dominate strains for nighttime. However, this general rule often doesn’ t apply so well to anxiety patients. Sativa strains, in some cases, may not be beneficial and may even make things worse. In most cases, anxiety sufferers will want to seek out Indica strains or Hybrids that are mostly Indica dominate.
Terpene profiles are also quite important for successfully treating anxiety disorders. Limonene increases both serotonin and dopamine levels via the 5-HT1A receptor. Linalool is also highly beneficial as a calming agent, as well as an antidepressant. Strains high in Myrcene should be avoided by anxiety patients.
Cannabis has the potential for remarkable results in managing anxiety.
Peter Kershaw is a medical cannabis consultant. Contact him at pkershaw. email @ gmail. com As with all writers within these pages, if you’ ve benefited from Peter’ s articles, please let him and all writers know. They appreciate your thoughts.
Notice: The information contained herein is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research, experience and the opinion of the writer. The content is for general informational purposes only. As always, check with your doctor first.
18 June 2025