THC Gummies for Anxiety — Benefits, Risks & How to Use

THC Gummies For Anxiety

The endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in how the body responds to stress, fear, and anxiety. By interacting with the CB1 receptors located in several brain regions regulating stress and anxiety, THC produces the desired state of calmness or anxiety and panic, especially if consumed in higher doses. 

Can THC benefit people with anxiety? If so, how to dose the product to avoid increased anxiousness or the appearance of paranoia and panic attacks? This article explores the relationship between THC and anxiety and provides tips on using THC gummies for this condition. 

What Are THC Gummies? 

THC gummies are delicious hemp-derived chewable products infused with delta 9 THC (less than 0.3%) or delta 8 THC (banned in some states, so check state laws). 

If the THC in the gummies is derived from hemp, they are considered legal, while if derived from marijuana, they are legal in a select number of states that have legalized adult-use cannabis.  

Delta 9 THC Gummies for Anxiety 

Delta 9 THC gummies are infused with hemp-derived delta 9 THC ⁠— or the main active cannabinoid with intoxicating properties in cannabis. Not all delta 9 THC gummies are made equal. Ideally, you should seek organically made gummies that contain pure delta 9 THC.

The Mr. Hemp Flower 10 mg Delta 9 THC Gummies are directly infused with less than 0.3% delta 9 THC derived from hemp. We don’t spray or coat our gummies like other brands, but we infuse the cannabinoid extract directly into the recipe. If you’re a seasoned user, you can go for our 25 mg Delta 9 Gummies that provide relaxation and a boost of mood that helps you manage social situations. 

Delta 8 THC Gummies for Anxiety 

Delta 8 THC gummies are infused with hemp-derived delta 8 THC and are legal under the Farm Bill, and state laws in states that haven’t explicitly banned this cannabinoid. Our 10 mg Delta 8 THC Gummies are Farm Bill compliant and tested by an established third-party lab for purity and potency. 

This organic, vegan-friendly formula provides clean ingredients and quality in two flavors — Blue Raspberry and Watermelon. While delta 9 THC is known for their relaxing and stimulating effects, delta 8 tends to be more mellow and comforting. 

Benefits of THC Gummies for Anxiety 

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects anxiety in a complex way through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is made up of receptors (CB1 and CB2) that are spread across all brain regions, including those that are essential for the processing of stress, fear, and anxiety [1]. 

Research shows that endocannabinoids modulate brain networks responsible for keeping the balance between distress and well-being. THC exhibits a feeling of calmness and relaxing intoxication but could also produce acute anxiety and panic reactions — especially when the person has a history of anxiety and consumes high THC/low CBD products at a high dose [1]. 

In high doses, THC seems to increase anxiety, while in lower doses, it appears to decrease it.  

One study found that medical cannabis reduced depression and anxiety after two puffs, while it took 10+ puffs to reduce stress. The researchers found that cannabis with high CBD levels (9.5%) and low THC levels (less than 5.5%) helped most with depression, while high CBD/high THC cannabis assisted with stress [2]. 

But, this seems to be the case only temporarily. Some studies show that chronic administration of cannabis can increase anxiety in the long run, although the results are mixed [3]. 

In low doses, THC is associated with feelings of intoxication, relaxation, and sociability.

People with social anxiety tend to use cannabis to self medicate and feel less nervous in social situations. With that said, in high doses, THC may cause panic attacks, so it can be avoided by people with panic disorder [4].

A study by Daniel and Jessica Kruger revealed that delta 8 THC might be as effective for anxiety as delta 9 THC but with fewer adverse effects. 

There’s still the need for research on cannabinoids and anxiety, especially THC, so being mindful of your mind and body when trying it as a remedy is advised [5]. 

Risks And Side Effects of Using THC for Anxiety

As discussed, one of the risks of consuming THC in high doses is increased anxiety. This is especially true for people who are already predisposed to experiencing high levels of anxiety because THC elevates the heart rate and makes the person feel paranoid [6]. 

There are several risks that come from long-term, frequent use (more than twice a week) of THC. In people younger than 25 who frequently use THC, there’s a risk of developing a form of psychosis later in life ⁠— typically schizophrenia [7]. 

Also, using THC, in the long run, can cause memory loss because this cannabinoid alters the hippocampus, which is in charge of memory formation [8]. 

Several studies reveal that young adults who take marijuana report higher rates of panic disorder, generalized anxiety, and depression [9] [10] [11].

Frequent use of THC (and in high doses) can also form a psychological dependence. This may lead to an unhealthy reliance on THC rather than trying to solve a potential underlying problem the user might be experiencing. 

Short-term adverse effects of THC use: 

  • Sleepiness
  • Confusion
  • Anxiety
  • Fearfulness
  • Panic 
  • Paranoia
  • Red eyes
  • Increased heart rate
  • Light-headedness

Long-term adverse effects of THC use: 

  • Brain development issues in young adults
  • Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome 
  • Memory impairment
  • Psychiatric disorders 
  • Dependence

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome 

Frequent THC use can cause cyclical nausea and vomiting, also known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). 

This rare condition appears in a small number of people who may use THC for nausea and vomiting relief in the first place. But, after a few years of regular use, they start to experience severe nausea and vomiting. 

People with CHS report that taking a long, hot bath or shower helps with symptom relief, but abstinence from THC is the only thing that brings improvement. 

How to Use THC Gummies for Anxiety?

If you want to try THC gummies for anxiety, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. Getting the dosage right is key, and if you don’t see improvement, you can add other cannabinoids into the mix, like cannabidiol (CBD). 

CBD is known for its robust anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects that repress the body’s emotional response to stress and have the ability to soothe THC’s potent intoxicating effects [12] [13].  

THC: CBD Ratio

Taking pure THC may increase your anxiety, so the best approach is to go for an equal ratio of 1: 1 CBD to THC. 

This means that if you take 10 mg of THC, you should add 10 mg of CBD as well. If this ratio makes you anxious too, you can try to increase CBD’s ratio and take a higher dose of CBD to counteract the adverse effects of THC. 

With that said, it’s important to have an equal or higher CBD ratio than THC ratio because tetrahydrocannabinol in higher doses is notorious for causing anxiety. 

To achieve the balance, you can go for our Full Spectrum CBD Gummies that contain 5 mg delta 9 THC and 25 mg CBD. Or, you can buy a pure CBD product and a pure delta 9 THC product and create your own little combo. 

Get the Right Dose

What’s the right dose of THC for anxiety? 

Treating mental health with THC should be done in consultation with a physician who is knowledgeable about the changes this substance will cause in your brain. While CBD is known as preferable for anxiety, THC can be used for this condition in certain doses. 

The key here is to start with the lowest dose possible, potentially a microdose of 1 mg to 2.5 mg of delta 9 THC or 5 mg of delta 8 THC. Delta 8 THC is twice less potent than delta 9, so the threshold dose for this substance can be a bit higher.

You should also be intentional with THC and be very aware of how it makes you feel. Make sure you are in a comfortable environment and not somewhere that will make you prone to anxiety or panic. Taking a small dose will help you familiarize the endocannabinoid system with the substance without overwhelming it and causing a negative reaction.  

If you decide to increase the dose, but notice that you’re getting anxious, take CBD to counteract the effects and calm your system. Keep in mind that CBD smokables have a quick onset and duration of effects, so they are more recommended than edibles in this situation. 

Type of Anxiety

Out of all anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most associated with problematic cannabis use. Studies show that people with social anxiety disorder face cannabis dependance at double the rate compared to other anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia [1]. 

This may be related to the fact that people with SAD are more likely to self-medicate with cannabis compared to people with, for example, panic anxiety disorder out of concern that THC will trigger a panic attack [1]. 

Where to Buy THC Gummies for Anxiety? 

Buying THC gummies for anxiety can be tricky because of the dosage. Some terpenes can also trigger feelings of anxiousness, so you should be careful with the kind of terpenes the gummies you choose contain. 

Mr. Hemp Flower offers premium THC gummies to ease stress and provide relaxation. Our gummies come in low to medium dose ranges of 10 mg to 25 mg of delta 9 THC per gummy, so you can adjust the dose accordingly. 

In high doses, THC is known to cause drowsiness, fatigue, or increased anxiety and paranoia,  so make sure you start with half a gummy and increase from there. 

FAQs

It’s really what works best for you. Gummies are the most delicious treat, but have a delayed onset. If you need immediate relief, THC edibles are not the best option for anxiety, but smokable CBD.

Mr. Hemp Flower Full Spectrum CBD Gummies are best for anxiety because they contain 25 mg CBD and 5 mg THC, which is the perfect ratio to achieve a state of relaxation and calmness without feeling panicked or alarmed.

Yes, both THC and CBD gummies can help with anxiety at the right dose. Combining both cannabinoids is also beneficial. 

Absolutely, one of the sought-after effects of cannabis is the relaxed state of mind that THC provides. To avoid any anxiousness or panic, start with a microdose of 2.5 mg.

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