The Potential of Cannabis in Anxiety Management: A Look at Key Studies
Dr. Cameron Jones, PhD.
In recent years, the conversation around cannabis has evolved significantly, with growing interest in its potential therapeutic benefits. Among the many health conditions where cannabis shows promise, anxiety stands out as a particularly relevant area. Here, we explore the top 5 most cited scientific papers that provide evidence for the use of cannabis in treating anxiety, offering insights into how this plant might help manage anxiety symptoms.
1. Attitudes and Beliefs of Primary Care Providers
- Study: Philpot et al. (2019)
- Key Findings: This survey study delves into the attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge about medical cannabis among primary care providers. The results reveal that a significant majority of patients believe cannabis can be effective in treating pain and anxiety, indicating a perceived benefit of cannabis for anxiety management.
2. Reduction in Benzodiazepine Use
- Study: Purcell et al. (2019)
- Key Findings: This research focuses on the reduction of benzodiazepine use in patients who are prescribed medical cannabis. Benzodiazepines are a common treatment for anxiety, and the study suggests that medical cannabis may offer a viable alternative or complement to these traditional medications.
3. Indications for Anxiety and PTSD
- Study: Hameed et al. (2023)
- Key Findings: Highlighting the broad symptom management capabilities of medical cannabis, this article indicates its benefits for conditions such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings underscore the potential of cannabis to alleviate anxiety-related symptoms effectively.
4. Benefits Among Military Members and Veterans
- Study: Clary et al. (2021)
- Key Findings: This study examines the perceived risks and benefits of cannabis use among young military members and veterans. It reveals that veterans experience significant benefits from cannabis use for managing anxiety, suggesting its positive impact on anxiety symptoms in this population.
5. Effects on Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- Study: Ayisire et al. (2022)
- Key Findings: Investigating the use of cannabis in relation to postpartum depression, this study finds that marijuana use may be linked to anxiety relief. This highlights a potential benefit of cannabis in managing anxiety symptoms, particularly in postpartum women.
These studies collectively provide a robust body of evidence supporting the use of cannabis for anxiety management. From reducing dependence on traditional anxiety medications like benzodiazepines to offering relief for veterans and postpartum women, cannabis shows significant potential as a therapeutic option for anxiety.
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References:
Ayisire, O., Okobi, O., Adaralegbe, N., Adeosun, A., Sood, D., Onyechi, N., … & Usman, M. (2022). The use of cannabis and its effects on postpartum depression. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.27926
Azizoddin, D., Cohn, A., Ulahannan, S., Henson, C., Alexander, A., Moore, K., … & Kendzor, D. (2023). Cannabis use among adults undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer, 129(21), 3498-3508. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.34922
Barton, L., Nisan, C., Burleigh, C., & Fredericks, S. (2021). Case presentation of safe and effective use of medical cannabis in the elderly. Nurse Practitioner Open Journal, 1(1), 9-16. https://doi.org/10.28984/npoj.v1i1.343
Borgelt, L., Franson, K., Nussbaum, A., & Wang, G. (2013). The pharmacologic and clinical effects of medical cannabis. Pharmacotherapy the Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 33(2), 195-209. https://doi.org/10.1002/phar.1187
Cahill, S., Lunn, S., Diaz, P., & Page, J. (2021). Evaluation of patient reported safety and efficacy of cannabis from a survey of medical cannabis patients in canada. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.626853
Clary, K., Habbal, M., Smith, D., & Fratila, I. (2021). The green sheep: exploring the perceived risks and benefits of cannabis among young military members and veterans. Cannabis, 4(2), 31-46. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2021.02.003
Cooke, A., Knight, K., & Miaskowski, C. (2019). Patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives of co-use of cannabis and opioids for chronic non-cancer pain management in primary care. International Journal of Drug Policy, 63, 23-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.09.002
Cummings, H. (2024). Individuals’ values and preferences regarding medical cannabis for chronic pain: a descriptive qualitative study. Journal of Pain Research, Volume 17, 21-34. https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s432823
Glickman, A. and Sisti, D. (2019). Prescribing medical cannabis: ethical considerations for primary care providers. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(4), 227-230. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2019-105759
Greis, A., Larsen, E., Liu, C., Renslo, B., Radakrishnan, A., & Wilson-Poe, A. (2022). Perceived efficacy, reduced prescription drug use, and minimal side effects of cannabis in patients with chronic orthopedic pain. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 7(6), 865-875. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0088
Hameed, M., Prasad, S., Jain, E., Dogrul, B., Al-Oleimat, A., Pokhrel, B., … & Stein, J. (2023). Medical cannabis for chronic nonmalignant pain management. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 27(4), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01101-w
Hameed, M., Prasad, S., Jain, E., Dogrul, B., Al-Oleimat, A., Pokhrel, B., … & Stein, J. (2023). Medical cannabis for chronic nonmalignant pain management. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 27(4), 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-023-01101-w
Hutchison, K., Bidwell, L., Ellingson, J., & Bryan, A. (2019). Cannabis and health research: rapid progress requires innovative research designs. Value in Health, 22(11), 1289-1294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2019.05.005
Lake, S., Walsh, Z., Kerr, T., Cooper, Z., Buxton, J., Wood, E., … & Milloy, M. (2019). Frequency of cannabis and illicit opioid use among people who use drugs and report chronic pain: a longitudinal analysis. Plos Medicine, 16(11), e1002967. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002967
Lucas, P., Boyd, S., Milloy, M., & Walsh, Z. (2021). The impact of non-medical cannabis legalization and other exposures on retention in longitudinal cannabis research: a survival analysis of a prospective study of canadian medical cannabis patients. Journal of Cannabis Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00089-7
Meacham, M., Ramo, D., Kral, A., & Riley, E. (2018). Associations between medical cannabis and other drug use among unstably housed women. International Journal of Drug Policy, 52, 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.11.009
Ng, J., Quach, H., Phillips, M., & Busse, J. (2022). Surveying canadian pain physicians’ attitudes and beliefs regarding medical cannabis for chronic noncancer pain: a qualitative study. Journal of Pain Research, Volume 15, 3899-3910. https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s382589
Philpot, L., Ebbert, J., & Hurt, R. (2019). A survey of the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about medical cannabis among primary care providers. BMC Family Practice, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-019-0906-y
Philpot, L., Ebbert, J., & Hurt, R. (2019). A survey of the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about medical cannabis among primary care providers. BMC Family Practice, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-019-0906-y
Purcell, C., Davis, A., Moolman, N., & Taylor, S. (2019). Reduction of benzodiazepine use in patients prescribed medical cannabis. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 4(3), 214-218. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2018.0020
Schlag, A., Hindocha, C., Zafar, R., Nutt, D., & Curran, H. (2021). Cannabis based medicines and cannabis dependence: a critical review of issues and evidence. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 35(7), 773-785. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881120986393
Zylla, D., Steele, G., Eklund, J., Mettner, J., & Arneson, T. (2018). Oncology clinicians and the minnesota medical cannabis program: a survey on medical cannabis practice patterns, barriers to enrollment, and educational needs. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 3(1), 195-202. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2018.0029