The Effects of CBD-Dominant Cannabis Strains on Anxiety: New Study Sheds Light on Paradoxical Nature of Cannabis

Cannabis Study Confirms Strains High in CBD Are Effective for Easing Anxiety

New Research Analyzes the Two-Sided Nature of Cannabis

Cannabis’s effects seem pretty paradoxical on the surface. Some people call Mary Jane their best friend, enjoying feelings of relaxation, profound insight, and a release from troubled nerves. Others spurn the devil’s lettuce, overwhelmed by feelings of paranoia, depersonalization, and panic.

Identifying the Key Factors

A new study confirms that particular chemicals in weed are responsible for the drug’s two-sided nature, and that particular strains – those with high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and negligible tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – are more effective at easing anxiety than others.

Building on the Conscious Efforts

The findings add to mounting evidence that CBD can be an effective anxiety treatment, but legal prescriptions and products are still relatively new territory in the countries where they’ve been embraced. Nevertheless, recent initiatives have catalyzed the interest in exploring the potential therapeutic benefits.

A Systematic Study Conducted

A research team from the renowned University of Colorado Boulder conducted a study to examine the effects of CBD and THC levels found in legal market cannabis on anxiety symptoms in users. The aim was to focus on examining cannabis flower instead of oils, gummies, or tinctures often used in previous research.

The Experimental Setup

For the study, the research team recruited a diverse group of 300 participants, including 258 subjects familiar with cannabis and 42 individuals who had never used it before. Significantly, their responses allowed for a comprehensive analysis of how THC and CBD levels influenced anxiety experiences in different strains of cannabis.

A Gateway to the Authentic Results

“This is the first randomized study to examine the acute and extended effects of ad libitum [as much or as often as desired] legal market cannabis products on anxiety symptoms,” write the researchers in their study.

The Power of Regulation

By selecting cannabis products with specified THC and CBD levels, the researchers partnered with a Colorado-based dispensing company to ensure greater control over the potency and purity of the strains. This approach highlights the potential benefits of legalization, enabling individuals to make informed decisions instead of relying on chance while alleviating anxiety symptoms.

The Varieties Analyzed

• A THC-dominant strain, with 24 percent THC and less than 1 percent CBD
• A strain with equal parts THC and CBD (12 percent), reflecting what is frequently found “on the street”
• A CBD-dominant strain, with less than 1 percent THC and 24 percent CBD

Examining the Effects

The study assessed the acute and extended effects of cannabis consumption over a four-week period. Participants had the freedom to decide how and when to use cannabis, with the average intake occurring around three times a week. Most individuals opted for inhalation methods, such as pipes, bongs, and joints, while a few used vaporizers or bubblers.

Unveiling Promising Results

Among the CBD-dominant group, participants experienced minimal impairment immediately after smoking, yet they reported feeling less tense and experienced far less paranoia than individuals in the other two cannabis groups. Additionally, all cannabis groups, including the non-users, reported significant reductions in anxiety compared to the control group, with the CBD-dominant group showing the greatest improvements.

Safer Alternative to Traditional Medications

“The short-term effects were very clear: CBD was associated with tension and anxiety relief with limited harm,” states neuroscientist Cinnamon Bidwell. “Our study suggests that CBD products may be able to relieve anxiety in the moment for adults who use them, and possibly longer-term, in a way that is meaningful and doesn’t necessarily produce the same risks or harms of THC or prescription medications.”

Challenging the Anxiety Paradox

While strains with relatively higher amounts of THC are associated with an increased short-term risk of paranoia, the study found that THC did not exacerbate anxiety symptoms in the long term. The CBD-dominant strains demonstrated a significant reduction in tension, indicating potential longer-term benefits for anxiety relief.

Promising implications for Anxiety Management

These groundbreaking findings contribute to a growing body of evidence highlighting the potential therapeutic role of CBD in anxiety treatment. With advancements in the legal recognition and regulation of cannabis, CBD-dominant strains could become a significant tool in addressing the mental health needs of individuals worldwide.

The research study, published in the journal “Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research,” represents a vital step forward in understanding the complex effects of cannabis and its potential for anxiety relief.