Ask anybody who’s ever smoked some weed, and they’d probably tell you cannabis helps with their anxiety. “You take a puff,” they’ll say, “and all your troubles would go away”. But is this really true? Does cannabis actually treat anxiety, or is it all just an excuse addicts use to get their hands on more cannabis? Keep reading to find out!
Cannabis and Anxiety: What Does Science Say?
The matter of cannabis and its relationship with anxiety is still a subject of debate in the scientific community. The literature on the subject is also quite varied, with some studies showing that cannabis helps manage anxiety and others claiming that prolonged use of cannabis might increase one’s chances of developing anxiety disorders. Having said that, these two scientific facts are mostly agreed on.
- CBD-to-THC Ratio Affects Cannabis’s Effect on Anxiety
Based on the current body of work, it is widely accepted that CBD has anxiolytic effects, i.e., it has positive effects on anxiety. Studies suggest that, by interacting with the endocannabinoid system and influencing serotonin receptors, CBD can help reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder.
While the anxiolytic effects of CBD are widely supported by scientific research, the relationship between THC and anxiety is more complex, and the scientific reports on the matter present conflicting findings. A literature review of the current body of work, however, tells us that the effect of THC on anxiety is dose-dependent. At lower doses, THC has been seen to have a calming effect on anxiety and may even be able to treat it. At higher doses, however, it can lead to heightened cases of anxiety, and heavy use of THC may even increase your risk of developing anxiety disorders.
With CBD showing a noticeable positive effect on anxiety and THC being helpful in certain doses but harmful in others, the CBD-to-THC ratio of a cannabis product is an important factor that determines how a cannabis product would affect anxiety. A cannabis product with high CBD and low THC is likely to have a positive effect on anxiety, while a cannabis product with low CBD and high THC is likely to have a negative effect on anxiety.
- Individual Sensitivity and Tolerance Also Play a Role
We all experience cannabis differently, and our personal sensitivity and tolerance to the drug often determine how it affects our anxiety levels. Some individuals are naturally more sensitive to THC than others. This means that for such individuals, THC doses that might be tolerable to the majority of consumers may feel as intense as a high dose, potentially leading to heightened feelings of anxiety.
Taking into account these two scientific known facts, answering the question “Can cannabis help treat anxiety?” is quite simple: Yes, according to science, cannabis can help treat anxiety. However, for this treatment to be effective, and to avoid potential negative effects, ensuring that the cannabis product used has the perfect CBD/THC combination and that the dose is perfect for the individual’s unique tolerance level is essential.
This is where medical cannabis comes in.
How Medical Cannabis Treats Anxiety
By creating cannabis-based products with the perfect CBD/THC combination to enhance the plant’s inherent anxiolytic effects, cannabis scientists have successfully created products that effectively help manage anxiety. Cannabis doctors then prescribe these medical cannabis products to you, providing you with specifics on the right dosage for your personal tolerance level. By doing this, your cannabis doctor helps ensure your medical cannabis treatment for anxiety isn’t just effective but also less likely to have negative effects on your health.
Finding the Right Medical Cannabis Doctor For Your Cannabis-Based Anxiety Treatment
Interested in exploring Colombian medical cannabis as an alternative treatment for anxiety, our in-house cannabis doctor is an expert in using cannabis to treat anxiety and other medical conditions. Book a medical cannabis consultation today, and we can help design a treatment plan to meet your particular needs.
