What Patients Are Saying About Cannabis and Anxiety

More than 40 million American adults have an anxiety disorder, according to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, making the condition the most common mental health concern in the United States. While many people treat anxiety successfully with prescription drugs, these remedies do not work for everyone and carry the risk of significant side effects, including dependency and addiction. As a result, many patients with anxiety are looking for alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. 

Research has shown that cannabis has an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect, leading many patients to obtain a medical card for cannabis. And while each individual reacts to the plant differently, many patients tell us that cannabis is the best solution for their anxiety.

“I tried anxiety medications in the past, all of which had undesirable side effects. Medical marijuana, on the other hand, is a much more effective treatment—and without the side effects.”

Many states that have legalized the medical use of cannabis have listed anxiety as a qualifying condition. Patients who use medical cannabis for anxiety say it helps relieve nervousness, stress, and tension and helps promote calmness and relaxation.

“Cannabis has helped me reduce anxiety without relying on addictive pharmaceutical products.”

A 2020 study concluded that cannabinoid therapies may be a more suitable treatment for anxiety than other common therapies. Both delta-9 THC and CBD were found to be effective, although higher doses of THC had an anxiogenic (anxiety-causing) effect in some patients. The research showed, however, that carefully titrating the dose could ease anxiety-inducing effects.¹

“I used to take a bunch of different medications throughout the day for my anxiety disorder. Once I discovered NuggMD, I looked more into cannabis for potential relief, and ever since, I haven’t looked back. It’s been working great for me. I’m no longer feeling anxious almost all day anymore.”

The study also found that the anxiety-reducing effects of cannabis have been attributed to interaction with the CB1 receptor. Researchers noticed this effect even in small doses. Larger doses had a converse interaction with the CB1 receptor that tended to induce anxiety.¹

“I used to take Ritalin, Zoloft, and a bunch of other medications to “stop anxiety and stress.” None of them worked until someone told me about NuggMD.”

A separate study published in 2022 determined that multiple mechanisms may account for the anti-depressive and anxiolytic activities of CBD. While these mechanisms remain unclear, “prior clinical experience has preliminarily demonstrated the anxiolytic effects of CBD.”²

“It helps lower my stress and anxiety with less side effects than other medication. Nothing else other than alcohol helps me sleep as well and fall asleep quickly.”

Other studies have also shown that CBD may be effective for anxiety. A 2019 study showed that a dosage of 300mg CBD was effective at relieving anxiety symptoms.³

“I react very badly with opiates or anti anxiety or pain medications in general. I react with vomiting and stomach pain. Medical cannabis helps me function pain free when smoked and provides me anxiety relief as well. It helps with the horrible cramps I have during my monthly from having PCOS. Medical cannabis has been such a help for everything I pretty much have been diagnosed with.”

Those who wish to use CBD for anxiety have a choice of different CBD products that contain the cannabinoid. In addition to CBD-rich cannabis flower, options include gummies, tinctures, and more.

“It gives you something that can make your day better completely and take the edge off and allow you to be yourself. None of my meds for depression and anxiety have done that.”

The 2022 study also noted that CBD has been shown to have anti-depressive qualities.² Other research has determined that the cannabinoids THC and CBG may also be effective for depression. Additionally, research suggests that the terpenes in cannabis may also help reduce anxiety symptoms.

“I was prescribed pills for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorder. The pills made me feel like I was just going through the motions of life, but I wasn't really there. I've never really been a marijuana user until 3 years ago when I decided to get away from the pills they had me on. One night I tried smoking to help me relax and fall asleep. Well, let's just say I slept like a baby and fell asleep smiling, and have been smoking every day since. I am very grateful for what marijuana has done for me.”

A study published in 2024 found that“CBG may help reduce stress and anxiety in healthy adults. With CBG, the researchers observed no evidence of subjective drug effects or impairment.⁴

“Before using marijuana it was hard for me to fall asleep, and I would get major anxiety before going out in public – always – but after using marijuana, it reduces the amount of stress, anxiety, and insomnia that I experienced before.”

Some patients with anxiety also have trouble sleeping. Research has shown that cannabis may be effective for insomnia, leading some patients to experience relief from both conditions when using medical cannabis.

“Used to have bad social anxiety, but when I started smoking, it went down from 100% to 0.”

Many patients who use cannabis report using it to treat social anxiety. When using cannabis before or during a social situation, they find that a “social high” helps ease the stress and awkwardness commonly experienced at such times.

“I have PTSD and suffered with anxiety. I would have trouble sleeping. My daughter told me to try marijuana. I feel so much better. I’m able to sleep without having nightmares and anxiety is under control.”

The potential for cannabis to treat anxiety and related conditions makes it particularly attractive for some patients who are living with multiple mental health challenges. A 2022 study found that patients with post-traumatic stress disorder who used cannabis strains rich in THC reported a greater reduction in PTSD symptom severity over time compared to controls.⁵

“I was on six different prescriptions for PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, depression, thyroid and chronic pain. I ate raw cannabis leaves, hemp seed powder, and RSO, vaped and smoked three times a day for six months to quit all prescriptions. Now my thyroid is normal – no more prescription drugs. I control all my ailments with legal medical cannabis.”

Medical cannabis is effective for several symptoms associated with PTSD. A study published in 2020 found evidence that “CBD may improve certain symptoms associated with PTSD such as anxiety and sleep.”⁶

“The vascular response helps my migraines like nothing else has. The RSO (single line, so 25mg?) literally removes 90% of my anxiety and executive dysfunction. I generally use flower in the evenings or between jobs when I have a break. Can't use it when I teach circus though. But heavy indicas like Gushers and Gas Mask are guaranteed to help my insomnia.”

Patients often find that specific strains are more effective than others at relieving CBD. Other cultivars often cited as having anti-anxiety effects include OG Kush, Bubba Kush, and ACDC.

“Due to my line of work, I was constantly stressed to meet deadlines. Short of using mood-altering pharmaceuticals, there isn't much help to take the pressure off and forget about the constant anxiety of meeting deadlines. Smoking has helped with centering and relaxing so I can drop work off at the door and live a balanced life at home and work.”

Patients have success smoking cannabis to help relieve anxiety without using prescription drugs, which often have unwanted side effects. Some prefer other methods of consumption, including vaping and edibles.

Those with anxiety who would like to explore the use of medical cannabis should consult with a healthcare professional in their state.

References

1. Sharpe L, Sinclair J, Kramer A, de Manincor M, Sarris J. Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties. J Transl Med. 2020;18(1):374. Published 2020 Oct 2. doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02518-2 ↩︎
2. Peng J, Fan M, An C, Ni F, Huang W, Luo J. A narrative review of molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 2022;130(4):439-456. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.13710 ↩︎
3. Zuardi AW, Pereira LC, et al. Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999). 2019;41(1):9-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2017-0015 ↩︎
4. Cuttler C, Stueber A, Cooper ZD, Russo E. Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial. Scientific Reports. 2024;14(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66879-0 ↩︎
5. Bonn-Miller MO, Brunstetter M, Simonian A, et al. The Long-Term, Prospective, Therapeutic Impact of Cannabis on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2022;7(2):214-223. doi:10.1089/can.2020.0056 ↩︎
6. Sholler DJ, Schoene L, Spindle TR. Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD): A Review of the Evidence from Clinical Trials and Human Laboratory Studies. Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(3):405-412. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00326-8 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.