The study, published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, marks the first randomized trial exploring the impact of legal, commercially available cannabis on anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety disorders affect one in five U.S. adults, making it the most prevalent mental illness in the country, and there’s a rising trend in anti-anxiety medication prescriptions. The study, consisting of 300 participants, aimed to understand the short-term and potential long-term effects of CBD and THC, the primary cannabinoids in cannabis.
Senior author Cinnamon Bidwell, associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and the Institute of Cognitive Science, emphasized the need for more data on long-term effects. She stated, “The short-term effects were very clear: CBD was associated with tension and anxiety relief with limited harm.”
Adults often turn to cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, to address anxiety, sleep issues, and pain. However, the effectiveness of cannabis in treating anxiety has yielded mixed results in prior research.
The study categorized participants into three groups, assigning them THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, or balanced THC and CBD flower products. Over four weeks, participants used their assigned products as frequently as desired. Researchers conducted tests before and after cannabis use, with mobile laboratories visiting participants’ homes.
All four groups, including a non-cannabis group, reported reduced anxiety at the study’s end. The cannabis groups experienced greater anxiety reductions than the non-cannabis group, and the CBD-dominant product users exhibited the most significant improvement.
Surprisingly, the CBD-dominant group reported feeling less tense immediately after smoking, without feeling impaired. They also experienced less paranoia after use compared to the other cannabis groups.
Gregory Giordano, a professional research assistant at the CU Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CUChange), highlighted the study’s implication that CBD-dominant cannabis might lead to long-term reductions in anxiety symptoms.
Bidwell suggested that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties might contribute to anxiety reduction by quelling inflammation in the brain and nerves. However, she emphasized that even a small amount of THC (1%) could have a swift impact on mood.
While prescription drugs for anxiety often come with side effects and dependency risks, early and frequent THC use may lead to cannabis-related harms. Bidwell concluded that CBD products could offer meaningful relief without the same risks associated with THC or prescription medications. She emphasized the need for additional data before conclusive recommendations but expressed optimism about the study’s findings.
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