The complexity of cannabis and its effects on the human brain is probably best reflected by the plant’s associations with anxiety relief.
As we move forward, it’s best to view ‘cannabis’ as an umbrella term for an almost endless array of strains and products with different makeups and psychoactive effects.
On the above note, the worst thing anyone with an anxiety problem can do is turn up at a recreational adult-use cannabis store like ours and unthinkingly purchase the first strain they see. Using cannabis for all manners of therapy requires research and forethought.
Also, we must point out the following before saying anything else:
One Green Leaf isn’t a medical dispensary, nor can we dispense medical advice—this blog is observational and informational based on our independent research. Use it as you choose, but speaking with a medical or healthcare professional about cannabis usage to help with anything—from anxiety to muscle aches—is paramount. It will ensure safe usage and optimize how quickly you discover the dosage and strain best suited to your needs.
With all that said, cannabis has the potential to help with anxiety. We can’t know for certain if it’s a cure, but we can tell you there’s a possibility it can provide some relief.
Below, we’ll explore the specificities of cannabis and its relationship with anxiety relief.
The Basics Of Cannabis And Anxiety Relief
THC is the psychoactive component in cannabis and can prove either the best friend or worst enemy of those seeking anxiety relief from a given strain.
The general principle is as follows: THC in lower doses is universally accepted to help with anxiety, while higher THC doses can send things off the rails and increase your anxiety [1].
Furthermore, CBD, in all dosage amounts, seems to help with anxiety. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and is strictly therapeutic.
As such, your initial blueprint for finding cannabis with anxiety-reducing qualities should be seeking relatively low THC strains rich with CBD.
Keep in mind that we said relatively low THC strains.
Some individuals have higher tolerances, or they like taking a toke or two of higher potency THC—so they might respond well to elevated THC levels. All the same, it remains crucial not to overdo it.
Delving Deeper Into Difference-Making Factors For Anxiety Relief In Cannabis
With cannabis, the minutiae can make all the difference in the world.
We can tell you that indica, sativa, and hybrid strains can help with anxiety, depending on what the anxiety stems from.
For instance, someone with anxiety stemming from insomnia might benefit from a heavy-hitting indica that helps them get to sleep. Conversely, if your lack of focus on a work project has you fretting, a sativa that boosts your energy and enables you to hone in on a task could be what the doctor ordered.
While sativa, indica, and hybrid strain types are one way to differentiate, we’re still speaking in relatively broad strokes.
In the next section, we’ll break things down further, getting into the nitty gritty of terpenes and how they can help with anxiety.
The Potential Role Of Terpenes In Anxiety Relief
A given cannabis strain’s unique aroma and flavor profile stems from its present terpenes.
Terpenes are an organic compound. They show themselves as small resinous glands (trichomes) on the surface of cannabis buds.
Beyond smell and taste, terpenes synergize with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids to enhance a strain’s effects. Furthermore, terpenes appear to offer therapeutic benefits to adult cannabis consumers, including but not limited to anxiety relief [2].
If you’re searching for cannabis to quell your anxiety, seek strains possessing the following terpenes [3]:
- Myrcene: You’ll typically find myrcene in indica strains with high THC. This terpene has a sedative effect and can relax muscles, fostering a profound sense of calm.
- Linalool: Linalool is most associated with lavender. It promotes stress reduction and relaxation and is also believed to have antidepressant properties. High-linalool strains typically offer heightened tranquility.
- Alpha-Pinene: Alpha-pinene’s anti-inflammatory traits and ability to heighten mental clarity might help reduce anxiety in those dealing with pain and racing thoughts.
- Beta-Caryophyllene: Beta-caryophyllene can interact with the body’s CB2 receptors (part of the endocannabinoid system), unlike most other terpenes. This interaction typically yields an anti-anxiety response.
We’ll also note the importance of proceeding with caution when consuming strains with humulene, limonene, terpinolene, and ocimene if you’re looking to offset anxiety. While each strain possesses relaxation and anti-anxiety capabilities, they require a more specific, finessed balance.
Is Variety The Spice Of Offsetting Anxiety Symptoms With Cannabis?
Allow us to reiterate that this isn’t medical advice. Also, the content below will be anecdotal, but it’s information we’ve compiled through observation.
Repeatedly consuming the same cannabis strain can often reduce its effects. Your body can get too used to the properties of a given flower or concentrate, and you can seemingly become numb to its “magic.”
There are two ways to overcome this “numbness” and reset your tolerance.
First, we suggest a tolerance break. Take a few weeks off so that the next time you consume cannabis is like your first time again—and all those anti-anxiety effects are likelier to wash over you once more.
However, not everyone has the luxury of their anxiety disappearing until their tolerance break is over. In this instance, we suggest experimenting with different strains. You’d be amazed at how unique the responses are when you indulge in new terpenes and varying cannabinoid compositions.
We Are Here To Answer Your Cannabis Related Questions
We can’t say that cannabis can cure your anxiety, but if your healthcare provider has advised you to try out some strains, it’s 100% worth giving it a shot.
If you need some guidance on strains to try, the team at One Green Leaf is more than happy to answer your questions and steer you towards the cannabis product best suited to your needs. Contact us today with any inquiries about our inventory—we’d be delighted to hear from you!
Sources
- https://adai.uw.edu/pubs/pdf/2017mjanxiety.pdf
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2024/04/researchers-show-chemical-found-naturally-in-cannabis-may-reduce-anxiety-inducing-effects-of-thc#:~:text=The%20substance%2C%20called%20d%2Dlimonene,studies%20in%20reducing%20anxiety%20behaviors.
- https://floraterraca.com/unveiling-the-power-of-cannabis-terpenes-to-alleviate-anxiety/