Cannabis may help temporarily reduce anxiety symptoms. But for some people, it may also make anxiety worse.

If you live with anxiety, you’ve probably come across some of the many claims surrounding the use of cannabis for anxiety symptoms.

Plenty of people consider cannabis helpful for anxiety. A 2017 national survey of more than 9,000 Americans found that 81 percent believed cannabis had one or more health benefits. Nearly half of these respondents listed “anxiety, stress, and depression relief” as one of these potential benefits.

But there also seems to be just as many people who say cannabis makes their anxiety worse.

So, what’s the truth? Is cannabis good or bad for anxiety? We’ve rounded up the research and talked to some therapists to get some answers.

Before getting into the ins and outs of cannabis and anxiety, it’s important to understand that marijuana contains two main active ingredients, THC and CBD.

In a nutshell:

  • THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana.
  • CBD is the nonpsychoactive compound that’s used for a range of potential therapeutic purposes.

Learn more about the differences between CBD and THC.

There’s no question that many people use cannabis for anxiety.

“Many clients I’ve worked with have reported using cannabis, including THC, CBD, or both, to reduce anxiety,” says Sarah Peace, a licensed counselor in Olympia, Washington.

Commonly reported benefits of cannabis use include:

  • increased sense of calm
  • improved relaxation
  • better sleep

Peace says her clients have reported these benefits along with others, including greater peace of mind and a reduction in symptoms they found unbearable.

Peace explains her clients have reported that cannabis in particular helps relieve symptoms of:

What Peace sees in her practice is on par with most of the existing research around cannabis and anxiety.

A 2015 review supports CBD as a potentially helpful treatment for anxiety, particularly social anxiety. And there’s some evidence that THC may also help in low doses.

It’s not a full cure, though. Instead, most people report it helps reduce their overall distress.

“For example, someone might only have one panic attack a day instead of several. Or maybe they can go grocery shopping with high but manageable levels of anxiety, when before they couldn’t leave the house,” Peace explains.

While cannabis appears to help some people with anxiety, it has the opposite effect for others. Some simply don’t notice any effect, while others experience worsening symptoms.

What’s behind this discrepancy?

THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, seems to be a big factor. High levels of THC have been associated with increased anxiety symptoms, such as increased heart rate and racing thoughts.

In addition, cannabis doesn’t appear to offer the same long-term effects as other anxiety treatments, including psychotherapy or medication. Using cannabis may offer some much-needed temporary relief, but it’s not a long-term treatment option.

“I think, like any medicine, cannabis can provide support,” Peace says. “But without lifestyle changes or internal work on mental health, if your stressors or anxiety triggers remain, your anxiety will likely remain in some form.”

While cannabis might seem like a way to avoid the potential side effects associated with prescription medication, there are still some downsides to consider.

Negative side effects

These include:

  • increased heart rate
  • increased sweatiness
  • racing or looping thoughts
  • problems with concentration or short-term memory
  • irritability or other changes in mood
  • paranoia
  • hallucinations and other symptoms of psychosis
  • confusion, brain fog, or a “numb” state
  • decreased motivation
  • difficulty sleeping

Smoking risks

Smoking and vaping cannabis can lead to lung irritation and breathing problems in addition to increasing your risk for certain types of cancer.

Plus, vaping is linked to a recent increase in potentially life threatening lung injuries.

Dependence and addiction

Contrary to popular belief, both addiction and dependence are possible with cannabis.

Peace shares that some of her clients have a hard time finding a line between medical use and misuse with daily or regular cannabis use.

“Those who use it frequently to numb themselves or keep from caring about the things causing them stress also often report feeling like they are addicted to cannabis,” Peace says.

Legal status

When using cannabis, you’ll also need to consider the laws in your state. Cannabis is only currently legal for recreational use in 11 states as well as the District of Columbia. Many other states allow use of medical cannabis, but only in certain forms.

If cannabis isn’t legal in your state, you may face legal consequences, even if you’re using it to treat a medical condition, such as anxiety.

If you’re curious about trying cannabis for anxiety, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk for it worsening your anxiety symptoms.

Consider these tips:

  • Go for CBD over THC. If you’re new to cannabis, start with a product that contains only CBD or a much higher ratio of CBD to THC. Remember, higher levels of THC are what tend to make anxiety symptoms worse.
  • Go slow. Start with a low dose. Give it plenty of time to work before using more.
  • Purchase cannabis from a dispensary. Trained staff can offer guidance based on the symptoms you’re looking to treat and help you find the right type of cannabis for your needs. When you buy from a dispensary, you also know you’re getting a legitimate product.
  • Know about interactions. Cannabis can interact with or reduce the effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including vitamins and supplements. It’s best to let your healthcare professional know if you’re using cannabis. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can also talk with a pharmacist.
  • Tell your therapist. If you’re working with a therapist, make sure to loop them in, too. They can help you evaluate how well it’s working for your symptoms and offer additional guidance.

Cannabis, particularly CBD and low levels of THC, shows a possible benefit for temporarily reducing anxiety symptoms.

If you decide to try cannabis, keep in mind it does increase anxiety for some people. There’s really no way to know how it will affect you before you try it. It’s best to use it cautiously and stick to smaller doses.

Other nonmedical treatments can also help relieve anxiety symptoms. If you’re looking for alternative approaches to treatment, consider giving other self-care approaches a try, like:

It may take some trial and error, but with time you can find a treatment that works for you.


Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.