Why does cannabis cause anxiety in some people?

When it comes to consuming marijuana, people tend to have two reactions: either they find it very relaxing, or they don’t. Those in the latter group accuse the plant of causing them a lot of paranoia and anxiety and making them feel too “in their heads.”

Bad highs are almost like breakdowns, where your body’s reactions become stressful and frightening. These episodes are temporary in nature, but they still feel terrible and the only relief is to wait them out or try to sleep off the effects. Bad highs are a big reason some people avoid marijuana altogether.

These anecdotes leave cannabis in an interesting place. The same plant can cause exactly opposite effects in different people based on genetics, experience, and predisposition to the drug.

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Marijuana produces effects by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in our body, located in different areas such as our brain and skin. Cannabinoids like THC bind to receptors in the brain and cause either relaxing or stressful effects. Some of these receptors are located in sites controlled by the amygdala, a section of tissue responsible for controlling emotions such as fear, stress and paranoia.

THC is also known to increase heart rate and cause streams of thoughts – both behaviors that can trigger anxiety in people who are naturally anxious or have never experienced these feelings.

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Studies show that the positive and therapeutic effects of cannabis are due to the influence of cannabinoids on our endocannabinoid system. These positive results are even more evident in patients who have suffered trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder and typically have low levels of chemicals such as anandamide.

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The clearest connection between panic attacks and cannabis occurs when people are new to the plant or have had negative experiences with it – both of which lead to a predisposition to certain behaviors. What people can do to prevent these reactions is to stick to low and manageable doses (avoiding oils and edibles, as these are harder to administer) and to smoke in a comfortable and private place, surrounded by people they know trust.

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For newbies and people who have had bad experiences with weed but are willing to give it another try, the type of weed you smoke, your location, and your companions are crucial factors. Ask your budtender for a relaxing strain that focuses on the body rather than the brain. By trying to manage these factors, you can try to curb panic attacks and get back to having fun experiences with cannabis.