Treating Anxiety with CBD or THC

Treating Anxiety with CBD or THC. Which Works Best?

Anxiety disorders affect roughly 31% of the U.S. population at some point in their lifetime. It is the third most common reason individuals use medical marijuana treatments, behind chronic pain and insomnia.

Despite the high prevalence, almost half, only about 46%, of individuals suffering from Anxiety never receive treatment.

With many turning to alternative therapies such as marijuana to help manage their symptoms, it's important to determine if this treatment works.

Some studies have suggested that using cannabis too frequently or using potent Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can actually make Anxiety worse in the long run. In contrast, other studies have shown that combining CBD with THC-heavy products may counteract any negative effects, such as impairment and paranoia.

Insights From Recent Research

A first-ever trial to better understand the effects of CBD and THC was conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder and published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

This study provides valuable insights into how THC and CBD affect Anxiety.

The study involved 300 participants who used cannabis products with varying ratios of THC and CBD over four weeks.

Out of the participants, 42 were not cannabis users, while the other 258 had tried cannabis at some point. The larger group was split up and assigned one of three products. The products included:

• A THC-dominant strain(24% THC and 1% CBD).
• A CBD-dominant strain (1% THC, 24% CBD).
• A balanced strain with equal THC and CBD (12% CBD and 12% THC).

This study is notable for being one of the first randomized trials examining the effects of commercially available cannabis products on anxiety symptoms. Due to federal law, the college was unable to distribute or administer cannabis, so participants were instructed to purchase their assigned products from a designated dispensary.

During the four-week trial, participants could use the cannabis products as little or as much as they wanted to. On average, participants in the study reported using the designated products three times per week.

Throughout the study, the researchers would visit participants' homes in a mobile laboratory to test them prior to, during, and after they smoked cannabis.

The Results

At the end of the study, all four groups of participants reported decreased Anxiety. However, the cannabis groups saw a greater reduction in perceived Anxiety than the non-cannabis control group. The participants using CBD-dominant products experienced the most significant reduction in Anxiety. They reported decreased tension and were less likely to experience paranoia immediately after use compared to those using THC-dominant products. 

The participants using the THC-dominant products reported initial anxiety relief at lower doses but experienced heightened Anxiety and paranoia at higher doses. This finding underscores the variability in THC's effects based on dosage and individual response.

Those participants who used the balanced products reported some anxiety relief but were less effective than the CBD-dominant products.

This suggests that while a balance of THC and CBD might moderate some of THC's negative effects, CBD remains more effective for consistent anxiety reduction.

The study highlights that while THC may offer short-term anxiety relief, its potential to increase anxiety and cause paranoia makes it a less reliable option compared to CBD. CBD's consistent ability to reduce anxiety without the adverse effects of THC positions it as a more favorable choice for managing anxiety. 

The University of Colorado Boulder's research provides valuable insights into how THC and CBD impact anxiety. CBD-dominant products show the most promise for consistent anxiety relief without the impairments associated with THC.

Different Ways To Administer THC & CBD 

Before choosing which strain to use when treating anxiety, you should also consider consumption methods. Cannabis can come in different forms, such as the dried flower (like that used in the study cited in this article), vape oil/wax, tinctures, or edibles.

The way you consume cannabis will play a role in how you use it to treat anxiety.  

Inhaling cannabis through smoking or vaporization offers fast relief, and as such, it is one of the more common options. It is discreet and easy to take a few puffs of a vape pen. However, the effects don't last as long as ingestible methods.

Ingestible methods (edibles, capsules, etc.) May not kick in for 30 minutes or more. They offer longer-lasting effects but can be harder to dose as the stomach's content partly determines the onset. So, the downside to this is the need to plan. 

Due to the ease of use and almost instant effects, most people opt for inhalation methods of cannabis consumption. If you are not used to smoking or want a heather option, vapes are an excellent choice.  

If you are going out to an event liable to cause some anxiety, you could take an edible well in advance or carry a vape pen with you and take a puff or two as and when you need.

Most people will find a CBD-dominant strain is the best option for managing their Anxiety. You can ask your budtender to try the different options and find the right one.  

Conclusion

While cannabis may offer a complementary method to manage Anxiety, it shouldn't replace traditional treatments such as therapy.

It is essential for those who are considering cannabis for Anxiety to consult healthcare professionals. This ensures that cannabis use is tailored to their specific needs and used safely. 

As research continues, understanding the nuances of how these compounds affect Anxiety will be crucial for developing effective treatment strategies.