New Research Suggests CBD-Heavy Cannabis Products Could Alleviate Anxiety Safely

A recent investigation from the University of Colorado Boulder indicates that cannabis items containing significant levels of CBD, a non-intoxicating component, may offer superior relief from anxiety compared to products dominated by THC, and without accompanying potential adverse effects.

Published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, this study, involving 300 individuals, marks the inaugural randomized trial examining the impact of legally available cannabis on anxiety symptoms.

This research emerges against the backdrop of anxiety disorders affecting one in five adults in the United States, representing the most prevalent mental illness nationwide, with a surge in prescriptions for anti-anxiety medications.

Cinnamon Bidwell, senior author and associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and the Institute of Cognitive Science, highlighted the need for further data to ascertain long-term beneficial effects. Nevertheless, the study underscored CBD's role in providing short-term relief from tension and anxiety with minimal harm.

Anxiety ranks among the primary medical reasons for adults to turn to cannabis, alongside sleep and pain relief. However, prior research on its efficacy has yielded mixed results. Some studies indicate that frequent cannabis use or consumption of potent THC-heavy products could exacerbate anxiety over time. Conversely, combining CBD with THC-dominant products might mitigate some negative effects, such as immediate impairment and paranoia.

To delineate the distinct short-term and long-term impacts of CBD and THC, the study recruited 300 anxiety sufferers, with 42 non-users and 258 previous users of cannabis. Participants were allocated to three flower product groups: THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, or a balanced THC-CBD ratio.

Federal regulations prevented on-campus cannabis possession or distribution, so participants procured their designated products from specified dispensaries for off-campus use. Over four weeks, participants could consume the products as desired, with an average frequency of three times per week.

Researchers conducted pre- and post-consumption assessments using a mobile laboratory. While all groups reported reduced anxiety at the study's conclusion, cannabis users experienced more significant improvements, particularly those using CBD-dominant products.

Surprisingly, CBD-dominant product users reported reduced tension and lower likelihood of immediate post-use paranoia, without impairment.

Gregory Giordano, a professional research assistant at the CU Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CUChange), highlighted the potential of CBD-dominant cannabis for acute tension reduction and possibly long-term anxiety symptom alleviation.

Bidwell suggested that CBD's superior anti-inflammatory properties compared to THC could explain its anxiety-reducing effects. Even a minimal THC concentration of 1% could swiftly influence mood.

While prescription medications for anxiety often entail side effects and dependency risks, early and frequent THC use can heighten the likelihood of cannabis-related harms. Bidwell emphasized the potential of CBD products to alleviate anxiety safely, offering promising alternatives without the associated risks of THC or prescription drugs.