Effects and Risks of Using THC for Anxiety

Marijuana has been used as an herbal remedy for thousands of years. Today, marijuana is more widely legalized in the United States for medicinal and recreational use. Researchers have also begun to explore how compounds found in marijuana, including THC and CBD, might affect mental health conditions such as anxiety.

Research suggests that low doses of THC may produce a subjective sense of anxiety relief. However, higher doses tend to increase negative mood. While THC may have some possible beneficial mental health applications, there are still potential negative side effects of marijuana to consider.

This article covers what you need to know about THC for anxiety, including its effects and risks. It also explores the risk of addiction as well as alternative treatment options for managing anxiety.

How Cannabis Affects Anxiety

No cannabis-derived products are FDA-approved to treat anxiety or other mental health conditions. However, some research has suggested that the compounds found in cannabis, including THC and CBD, may offer some mental health benefits.

For example, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD could be helpful in the treatment of anxiety and addiction. However, more research is needed before any cannabis product can be recommended to treat anxiety.

However, this hasn't stopped consumers from turning to THC and other cannabis products to relieve anxiety. According to one review, 50% of people who use medical marijuana do so to reduce anxiety symptoms.

Impact on Anxiety Symptoms

Two of the main compounds in cannabis—tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)—are linked with potential therapeutic effects for anxiety.

THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis. THC is linked with feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sociability in low doses.

Reduced Symptoms of Other Psychiatric Disorders

Scientists at Washington State University published a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders that found that smoking cannabis can significantly reduce self-reported levels of depression and stress in the short term.

Although, repeated use doesn't seem to lead to any long-term reduction of symptoms, and in some individuals, it may increase depression over time.

Pain Relief

Cannabis may provide relief for physical pain—particularly among adults with chronic or neuropathic pain (caused by damaged nerves). More research is needed to compare marijuana's effectiveness in relieving pain compared to other options.

Improved Sleep

Studies show that short-term cannabis use may lengthen the time a person is able to stay asleep. THC and/or CBD may help some fall asleep earlier and wake up fewer times during the night.

Risks of THC for Anxiety

Marijuana can affect your body in many ways beyond just getting you high. The high feeling you may experience after smoking or ingesting marijuana is due to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects.

The effects of THC do not come without risks, and long-term or frequent use has been associated several potential side effects.

Higher Levels of Psychiatric Disorders

Various studies have found that young adults who self-medicate with marijuana actually have higher rates of:

• Generalized anxiety
• Panic disorder
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

While depression may trigger someone to use cannabis to relieve their symptoms, studies found that higher cannabis use is linked with worsened depression symptoms. More research is needed to understand whether cannabis may cause depression or increase the risk of depression.

Certain susceptible individuals that use high-potency marijuana regularly may also be at a greater risk of developing psychosis later on.

Psychological Dependence

The central problem with using marijuana as an anxiety coping tool is that it can create a psychological dependence on the substance.

Long-Term Memory Loss

Several studies have found that long-term marijuana use can cause memory loss. Memory impairment occurs because THC alters one of the areas of the brain, the hippocampus, responsible for memory formation.

Increase in Anxiety Symptoms

People predisposed to higher levels of anxiety may be more likely to experience the negative effects of THC (i.e., dysphoria or panic).

Cannabis can also cause feelings of dizziness, nausea, confusion, and blurred vision, which can contribute to anxiety.

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome

A rare consequence of frequent marijuana use, particularly with today’s more potent strains, is cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This involves cyclical nausea and vomiting.

This is paradoxical and can be difficult to diagnose, as marijuana has been used to decrease nausea and vomiting in cancer treatment.

Those who have CHS sometimes find relief in hot baths and showers, but ultimately, abstinence from marijuana is necessary for long-term improvement. 

Higher Tolerance

You can develop a tolerance to marijuana. This means that the more you use it, the more you will eventually need to use to get the same effects that you previously experienced.

Cannabis Use Disorder

Cannabis use disorder (also known as marijuana use disorder) is considered an addiction to cannabis in which a person cannot stop using the drug. Signs of cannabis use disorder include:

• Continued use of marijuana despite adverse physical or psychological effects
  
• Continued use of marijuana despite social or relationship problems
• Engaging in high-risk activities (such as driving a car) while using marijuana
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop
• Marijuana cravings
• Trying to quit but failing
  
• Withdrawing from activities or social events to use marijuana
  

Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome

Those who use marijuana heavily may find that if they try to cut back or stop using altogether, they experience symptoms of cannabis withdrawal syndrome (CWS), which include:

• Anxiety
  
• Behavioral changes
• Cravings
• Depressed mood
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Nervousness
• Relapse in cannabis use
• Restlessness
• Sleep problems
  

Physical Effects

Unfortunately, marijuana use may cause potentially dangerous physical effects such as:

• Cardiovascular strain
• Head rush or dizziness
  
• High blood pressure
• Impaired motor coordination
  
• Increased heart rate
• Increased risk of falling or fainting

Risks of Self-Medicating

When you use a substance to treat or cope with a medical problem or symptom without the supervision of a medical professional, it is called self-medicating. Self-medicating often produces an immediate relief of uncomfortable symptoms, reinforcing its use.

People will continue to self-medicate with a substance that temporarily relieves symptoms, even when the substance itself causes unpleasant side effects. Over time, it may be challenging to stop self-medicating despite these side effects. This can also increase a person's risk for dependence and addiction.

Not enough is known about marijuana's efficacy for particular medical conditions and its long-term consequences to be considered a safe treatment option.

Legality of Marijuana for Anxiety

Some states have legalized the use of medical marijuana to treat a diagnosed anxiety disorder. The three states that have approved this use are Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and New Jersey. The use of medical marijuana to treat anxiety is also legal in Puerto Rico. A few other states, including California and Missouri, allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana treatments at their discretion.

Alternatives to Marijuana

Remember that some level of anxiety is normal and even helpful when you are confronted with something that feels threatening to you.

However, when feeling anxious becomes pervasive and challenging to control, it is best to seek professional help to discuss other forms of anxiety management.

Therapy

Proactive coping strategies, learned through counseling, support groups, as well as self-help books and educational websites, can create lasting change without the negative components of extended marijuana use.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of therapy can help you determine the underlying cause of your anxiety and manage it more effectively. You may work with a doctor to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

Medication

The use of certain prescription medications such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been firmly established as safe and effective treatment for anxiety disorders.

Prescription medication is also preferable to marijuana since the long-term risks have been better studied and are potentially less significant compared to long-term marijuana use.

Some anti-anxiety medications are taken daily, while others are taken episodically during periods of extreme anxiety or a panic attack.

How to Get Help

Suppose you have been using marijuana or other THC-based products to relieve anxiety and feel that you might be dependent or addicted to these substances. In that case, there are treatments available that can help.

Cannabis use disorder is often treated with talk therapy, which can help you address patterns that contribute to substance use, increase your motivation to quit, and strengthen your ability to cope with stress. 

Common types of therapy that are often used to treat cannabis use disorder include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on changing the thoughts and behaviors that are linked to drug use
• Motivational enhancement therapy, which can help increase your desire to change
• Contingency management, which uses behavioral strategies to reinforce positive behaviors
  

There are no FDA-approved medications to treat cannabis use disorder. However, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat co-occurring mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.