THC-Induced Anxiety and Paranoia: Why Does It Happen and How Can You Fix It?

Today, 209 million individuals worldwide between the ages of 15 and 64 consume cannabis. At least those were the figures published in the 2022 World Drug Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. While that seems like a lot of people smoking weed, not everyone loves using cannabis. Sure, there are plenty of reasons not to partake, but the truth is a large number of people have adverse effects from marijuana. While some folks feel euphoria and relaxation, severe anxiety and paranoia are common side effects for many others.

Why does cannabis cause paranoia and anxiety in some people, and can it be helped? In this post, we’ll examine what studies show about the cause of these ill effects and some possible ways to mitigate them.

Scary Anxiety and Nervousness

Many people report that cannabis triggers anxiety for them. The Merriam-Webster definition of anxiety is: “an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it.”

In a 2014 American Academy of Neurology review, seven researchers examined the efficiency of medicinal cannabis in treating neurological diseases. Among the findings were indications that anxiousness was a side effect for some users. The findings also revealed a relationship between elevated THC levels and anxiety.

According to one commonly shared idea, the cause may be due to the part of the brain that holds your endocannabinoid receptors. The amygdala is the brain region that produces emotions like fear, tension, and worry. For a few people, when cannabinoids flood the amygdala, it can become overstimulated, resulting in anxiety and paranoia.

Paranoia

When we are anxious, believe bad things about ourselves, or experience disturbing alterations in perception, paranoia is likely to happen. And unfortunately, a fair number of people report these emotions and paranoia after using cannabis.

The Medical Research Council (MRC) financed one study in 2014 that is the most thorough analysis yet done on the paranoia-inducing effects of THC. 50% of the subjects who were administered THC experienced paranoid thoughts. That was compared to the 30% who were given a placebo. This means that a direct increase in paranoia caused by THC was experienced by one in five subjects. Even more convincing, as THC exited the bloodstream, the paranoia subsided.

Here again, we have the theory that overstimulation of the amygdala causes paranoia, just like anxiety.

However, another interesting notion of why THC can potentially cause paranoia is that of abnormal salience, as found in a 2015 study. The brain’s ability to process random events appears to be compromised by THC. Simply put, after consuming cannabis, some people are more inclined to misunderstand random or unexpected events and assign them greater weight. For example, you may misread someone’s facial expression and feel they are displeased or hostile towards you when in fact, they are not at all.

What To Do About THC-induced Anxiety or Panic Attacks

These uncomfortable effects often put people off of marijuana altogether. But what about those that want to use cannabis for its many benefits? Is there a way to mitigate paranoia and anxiety caused by THC usage? While many home remedies and anecdotal advice are offered online for what can be done about these undesirable side effects, the best answers lie in CBD and strain choice.

CBD to the Rescue

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid present in moderate amounts in cannabis and in high amounts in the hemp plant. You’ve probably heard of this compound, as it has become extremely popular in the past few years. CBD offers many of the therapeutic benefits of THC without the psychoactive effects. And for those who find their “high” unpleasant, it might be the answer.

The consensus is that CBD can “moderate” the psychoactive effects of THC to produce a more serene, calming, body high with less anxiety. This is backed up by research, including a 2017 study by the University of Washington. The study found that “CBD decreases anxiety in all doses.” This means that treating paranoia by adding CBD Oil to your THC dose may be a viable and beneficial option. But there is more than one way to ensure you get enough CBD in your products.

Your choice of strain can also greatly influence the effects you experience. Choosing the right strain can mean less paranoia and anxiety. For example, Indica strains are known to be calming for anxiety sufferers, but Sativa strains can be excessively potent and overstimulating. Of course, this is not always the case, but it is generally regarded as common knowledge among the cannabis community.

The CBD-to-THC ratios of each strain vary, causing the effects to vary as well. However, users claim that strains with more evenly distributed CBD: THC ratios can significantly lessen the euphoric effects, hence reducing the possibility of experiencing paranoia.

Many people could greatly benefit from the medical benefits of cannabis but have been put off by the anxiety-inducing effects of the compound. But before you decide to put cannabis on the shelf for good, talk to your local budtender about choosing a strain with a better THC: CBD ratio. Alternatively, you could combine a THC-dominant strain with one that is CBD-dominant or add a CBD product when you indulge in cannabis. This may include options like CGD oil, gummies, capsules, and other helpful products.

*The statements made within this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.