Anxiety and stress

Understanding anxiety and stress

Anxiety becomes a concern when it is persistent, out of proportion, and interferes with sleep, focus or relationships. It takes many forms and is usually addressed with therapy, lifestyle and sometimes medication.

Medical cannabis and anxiety and stress

Medical cannabis is approached cautiously with anxiety: in some people THC can actually increase anxiety, and important precautions apply (notably a personal or family history of psychosis). It is not a first-line treatment. A practitioner assesses whether this option is reasonable and safe in your situation.

What the evidence shows

Some small CBD studies report short-term reductions in anxiety symptoms in specific settings, but doses, populations and methods vary widely. The findings do not establish broad effectiveness for anxiety disorders. THC can produce very different effects depending on dose and the individual.

What it does not establish

The evidence does not support replacing psychotherapy or established anxiety treatments. It also does not establish that a product marketed as CBD will reproduce the effects of a studied product, or that a higher dose will work better.

Points to discuss during the assessment

• The diagnosis and main triggering situations
• Any panic attacks, depression or suicidal thoughts
• Current psychological and medication treatments
• Any previous anxiety response to THC

Important precautions

• Adverse effects can include drowsiness, dizziness, impaired attention, anxiety or a faster heart rate.
• THC can impair driving and the operation of machinery; never drive while impaired.
• Particular caution is required during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with some heart conditions, or with a personal or family history of psychosis.
• Tell the practitioner about all current medications and supplements so possible interactions can be assessed.