Medicinal Cannabis And Anxiety
Therapeutic attributes of cannabis are known and have been used for millennia. Its beneficial effects lead to exploration of cannabinoids, active component of cannabis, particularly tetrahydrocannnabidiol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
THC, the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis has been demonstrated to have antidepressant, anxiolytic (reducing anxiety) and hypnotic results in people suffering from multiple sclerosis, cancer, as well as in healthy patients. CBD, which lacks the psychoactive properties, demonstrates anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-convulsant qualities.
Prevalence of Anxiety
Mental illness affects around one in five individuals in Canada and United States, with prevalence of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are chronic and include social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder. Although antidepressants are primary pharmacological treatment for anxiety disorders, 40 - 60% of patients continue to have continuing, damaging symptoms. Moreover, these treatments are also linked to serious, often disabling side effects such as nausea, lower sex drive, tiredness, dry mouth, constipation, suicidal thoughts, increased anxiety, aggression or violence, hallucinations, panic attacks, problems with sleeping - to name a few.
Relaxation and stress relief are commonly reported as reasons for cannabis use. Apart from its anxiolytic qualities, cannabis has also been shown to induce a feel of euphoria. It is suggested that some patients use marijuana to ease both depressive and manic symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Does Medical Cannabis Reduce Anxiety?
Research presented by Bonn-Miller et al. (2014) show one study conducted in California, in which participants reported using cannabis primarily to relieve pain (82.6%), muscle spasms (41.3%) , headaches (40%), anxiety (38.1%), to improve sleep (70.6%), enhance appetite (38%) and relaxation (55.6%). People with PTSD reported benefits of using medical cannabis in assistance with sleep and for coping reasons (easing elevated symptoms of PTDS) (Bonn - Miller, 2014). Studies presented by Cutler et al. (2018) tracked medical cannabis users in Canada, based on symptoms and their severity, cannabinoid content (THC/CBD), method of administration (smoke, oil, vape, pill, spray), gender and quantity of use. Results indicated a reduction in symptoms of depression by 89.3%, reduction in ratings of anxiety (93.5%), while stress was reduced by 93.3%. In regards to depression, the greatest reduction was observed after using cannabis with lower levels of THC and high level of CBD. Stress was reduced by using both high levels of CBD and THC. These study showed in overall decrease in symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety after use of cannabis in both men and women, although women reported a significantly greater reduction in anxiety comparing to men. This findings confirmed anxiolytic effect of cannabis and suggested that users experienced substantial and significant decrease in negative symptoms following cannabis use (Cutler, 2018).
Sources:
Cuttler C, Spradlin A, McLaughlin RJ. A naturalistic examination of the perceived effects of cannabis on negative affect. Journal of Affective Disorders 2018 Aug 1;235:198-205.
Turna, P. (2017). Is cannabis treatment for anxiety, mood, and related disorders ready for prime time? Depression and Anxiety, 34(11), 1006–1017.