Can CBD Reduce Paranoia and Anxiety?

Studies have shown that cannabidiol (CBD) can improve the analgesic properties of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) while simultaneously reducing paranoia & anxiety it can cause. Learn more about how CBD works & its therapeutic applications.

Can CBD Reduce Paranoia and Anxiety?

Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two distinct compounds found in cannabis, but they work together in interesting ways. Studies have shown that CBD can improve the analgesic properties of THC while simultaneously reducing the paranoia it can cause. PhD candidate and Vanier academic Roger Hudson, lead author of the study, found that CBD alone had no effect on the ERK pathway. However, when CBD and THC were co-administered, it completely reversed the direction of change at the molecular level. CBD has also been found to reverse anxiety behavior and addictive behavior caused by THC.

Smoking high-CBD hemp can greatly reduce this effect, so it's worth a try. Before getting high, it's best to prepare yourself with water, healthy snacks, your favorite CBD product, and good company. Being in a safe and comfortable environment will also make a big difference. Paranoia can be overwhelming and make it difficult to interact with others. A therapist can help you explore these feelings and other potential contributing factors.

In addition, CBD has been shown to have the opposite effect on neurological activity in other areas of the brain than THC. The ratio between THC and CBD and the rest of the cannabinoids in the plant determines the effects of different varieties of marijuana. However, subsequent studies have had inconsistent results regarding the anxiety-reducing effects of CBD. Despite this, several studies have described the therapeutic applications of CBD in clinical trials. It has been previously demonstrated that cannabis strains with high levels of THC and low levels of CBD can cause increased psychiatric effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and addictive behaviors. Scientists then tried to administer CBD and THC to rats simultaneously and discovered lower levels of anxiety and paranoia. Morgan and colleagues identified some of these effects on memory functions, but research on this aspect of CBD has had inconsistent findings.

The research team will examine ways to formulate THC with fewer side effects and to improve the effectiveness of CBD-derived therapies. The few studies that exist on the effects of CBD show that this cannabinoid can counteract some of the negative effects of THC, although its results have not always been consistent. Taking into account different absorption rates, this dose is approximately equivalent to smoking 2 to 3 g of strains with high CBD content. No harmful effects of CBD have been described in research that was not primarily aimed at investigating these same side effects or toxicities of CBD. Researchers at Western University have demonstrated for the first time that the molecular mechanisms that cause cannabidiol (CBD) to block psychiatric side effects caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive chemical substance in cannabis. The results from “naturalistic” studies suggest that CBD exerts a buffering effect on psychotic symptoms induced by THC. In these human studies, only a few generally mild side effects have been observed after CBD administration, although a wide range of effects have been examined over a wide range of doses, including acute and chronic administration.

Christy Cancio
Christy Cancio

Typical coffee fanatic. Evil bacon junkie. Proud food junkie. Wannabe zombie maven. Subtly charming travel maven.