Does Marijuana Cause Anxiety?

While marijuana has been known to soothe anxiety in many users, it can also cause both anxiety and paranoia in others. This is for a host of reasons. Since our brains are wired to respond to external stimuli, it can have a wide variety of reactions when chemicals like THC and CBD mix with our endocannabinoid system. Since the endocannabinoid system controls anxiety, as well as rewards, stress and fear, when its chemical balance is disrupted, it can greatly change our feelings and behaviour.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, under the effects of marijuana, our fight or flight responses get disrupted and fear stimuli that we normally cope with are suddenly beyond our capacity to manage. An abundance of THC is the cause of this, and until levels are restored to normal, the endocannabinoid system can’t properly do its job and we experience anxiety.

Another factor that leads to weed induced anxiety is the strand and variant of marijuana being consumed. With hundreds of different indica, sativa and hybrid strains, there are many unique chemical combinations we may be putting into our body. It is entirely possible for a user to have a relaxing time on an indica strain one day, and a full- blown panic attack the next when experimenting with a sativa.

A user’s emotional state before using marijuana is also significant. If their emotional life has been entirely calm, there is a greater chance that their “high” will match this. Conversely, if they are highly stressed out and feel threatened by their position in life, a bad trip may well ensue.

Indeed, research has shown that frequent users of cannabis have more general anxiety according to a 2009 study. Many suffered from anxiety disorders before ever consuming or becoming dependent on cannabis. The conclusion drawn is that many use cannabis as a self-medicating tool to deal with anxiety. The research also showed that regular marijuana users are more likely to experience a high that soothes anxiety compared to new or occasional users who are more susceptible to paranoid episodes.

If anxiety is a concern that has lead you to shy away from trying cannabis, there are many ways to prevent or avoid it. High CBD, low THC strains of marijuana are likely to offer a calmer experience as THC is the psychoactive agent in cannabis. Moderating your dose is key as well. For new users, slow and steady wins the race. Consuming in a comfortable place is important too. You are less likely to experience an anxiety attack in your living room than while skydiving in a torrential lightning storm.

There are many sources of information on the web as to what strains are good for anxiety sufferers and which are best to avoid. In conclusion, if you aren’t an anxious person and are concerned that dabbling in drugs may shake you up or diminish your tranquil existence…avoid it!