Medical Cannabis & Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition, thought to be a combination of biological, psychological and other factors.

Anxiety disorders can affect how people function in their day to day lives, impairing social interactions, family relationships, interaction with coworkers or school life.

An estimated 12% of Canadians are affected by an anxiety disorder each year. Treatments are available and typically include prescription medications or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). 

The classifications of anxiety disorders fall into separate categories and each have their own set of causes or symptoms. These classifications include:

• Phobias
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Separation Anxiety

A common misconception is that anxiety disorders and mental illnesses can just resolve on their own. Mental illnesses require attention and can be controlled and corrected with the right treatments. The two most popular treatments are Pharmacological and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

Pharmacological treatment involves prescribed medications that attempt to reduce and alleviate the symptoms associated with anxiety, panic and stress. These often start at low doses and can be prescribed for as little as 6 months or for a lifetime. CBT is a supportive method of treatment involving solo or small group therapy which involves identifying patterns of anxiety, inducing said patterns and then attempting to challenge and overcome them. Although pharmacologic treatment has been proven effective for managing anxiety, some individuals do not like the side effects associated with anxiety medications and are searching for a more natural way to manage their condition.

Medical cannabis has been proven to be an effective option for many patients suffering from anxiety. Oftentimes, the cannabinoid cannabidiol, or CBD, works best for individuals suffering from anxiety, as it has anti-anxiety properties. There are several studies that suggest long term cannabis use can increase anxiety symptoms, especially in teenagers and young adults, which is why CBD may be a more beneficial option. Due to federal laws, CBD is not available for recreation purchase and must be obtained through a Licensed Producer (LP) under Canada’s medical cannabis laws.