The effect of using the components of cannabis and its influence on the severity and progression of anxiety disorders in adults

Abstract

Cannabis is a drug that has become widely used around the world. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two important components found in cannabis with contrasting effects on the brain. These components have played crucial roles in benefiting pain relief, appetite and other conditions. THC is known for its psychoactive properties, while CBD is known for its non-psychoactive properties. This article focused on anxiety disorders since it has been on the rise over the last couple of years. A systematic review was conducted using Pubmed and Google Scholar to investigate how CBD and THC influence the severity and progression of anxiety disorders in adults aged 12-65. This study aimed to determine if these components benefit in reducing anxiety. The analysis found, 90% of the articles stated that CBD plays an important role in reducing anxiety whereas 71% of the articles stated THC plays a negative role and increases anxiety. Further research should determine the optimal cannabis dosage for anxiety reduction, focusing on specific anxiety disorders (e.g., social or general anxiety), while analyzing narrower age ranges to assess its impact across different age groups