I have heard from many clients over the years that they use cannabis (aka marijuana) as a means to manage their anxiety. They believe that cannabis helps them relax, slows down their thoughts, or lets them fall sleep. But is there actual evidence demonstrating that cannabis is an effective treatment for anxiety? Keep reading to find out.

What the Authorities Say

First, it is worth noting that the American Psychological Association put out a position statement in 2019 opposing the use of cannabis as a treatment for any psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorders. They state that there is “no current scientific evidence” that conclusively demonstrates any benefit of cannabis use on psychiatric symptoms. On the contrary, they note that cannabis use is actually associated with the emergence of psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Where the Research Stands

Research on the benefits of cannabis for anxiety and other mental health issues is still in early stages. Studies thus far have looked at the potential benefits of two of the compounds that make up cannabis: THC and CBD. According to a research brief by the University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, preliminary studies suggest that THC seems to decrease anxiety at low doses but can actually increase anxiety at higher doses.

The brief also notes, however, that tolerance to cannabis develops quickly with regular use, sometimes within days. This means that any potential benefits of low doses of THC are likely to dissipate rapidly. Further, because of the adaptations our brains make in the consistent presence of THC, a person who has developed tolerance might actually experience higher anxiety than they did previously when not under the influence of cannabis. This reality puts people at higher risk of developing dependence on cannabis to manage rebound anxiety symptoms as well as of developing Cannabis Use Disorders.

Studies looking at the benefits of CBD on anxiety have indicated thus far that CBD can alleviate anxiety symptoms at all doses tested. It is important to note, however, that these studies only looked at short-term CBD use and do not offer data on whether CBD is beneficial as a long-term anxiety management option. There is no evidence at present that pure CBD is habit-forming or has the potential for dependence.

What’s the Takeaway?

All in all, we cannot call cannabis an evidence-based treatment for anxiety at present. Our understanding of how cannabis could be used as a part of mental health treatment may evolve as more studies are conducted and higher quality data becomes available, but for now we simply don’t have enough information to say that cannabis use is an effective anxiety management strategy.  

If you are thinking about or already using cannabis as a means to cope with your anxiety, a few things to note. There is a risk, as described above, of your anxiety symptoms worsening over time with chronic use of THC-containing cannabis products. Because of this, it is advisable to develop a wide variety of tools and strategies for managing your anxiety symptoms. Cannabis can be one of these tools, but we don’t want it to be the only or main tool because of the potential long-term negative consequences.

Further, preliminary data is more promising for the use of pure CBD for anxiety management as it has shown potential benefits without the downsides of THC-containing products. However, as the Harvard Medical School Blog notes, as of now the FDA does not regulate CBD products, meaning that there is no way to guarantee quality or purity. There are also currently no accurate dosing guidelines for CBD in the treatment of any medical condition, so figuring out how much CBD to take can be a trial-and-error process.

Lastly, we do have a number of evidence-based therapies for anxiety that really do ease symptoms and that do not carry the potential pitfalls of managing anxiety with cannabis. Though it can be intimidating to face your anxiety head on in therapy, it will be rewarding and empowering to do so in the long-term. If you are ready to start working on cultivating or diversifying your anxiety management toolbox, let me help you make it happen.