In the Journal of Cannabis Research, a team at the University of New Mexico released their findings on the use of cannabis to reduce excessive anxiety, like that experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The data of 2,306 participants were assessed to track their consumption of cannabis.
Among 95.51 percent of consumption pertaining to cannabis, most participants experienced a reduction in their symptom severity of anxiety when using the substance.
Higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol was an indicator of increased symptom relief, while cannabidiol levels were not, the study also found.
“The findings suggest the majority of patients in our sample experienced relief from distress-related symptoms following consumption of Cannabis, and that among product characteristics, higher THC levels were the strongest predictors of relief,” the study reads.
“Future research would benefit from independent product testing rather than relying on user reporting based on product labels.”
In 2020, a UN commission relaxed the classification of cannabis, labeling it as a non-dangerous drug. Despite this, however, researchers have asserted in past studies that cannabis, although commonly used to treat certain physical health conditions, may be harmful to one’s mental health. As such, the substance is still the subject of vigorous research.
