8 million +
People in the UK have an anxiety disorder, and 18% of workers experience anxiety at work
Over ⅓
Of those registered by the UK’s largest observational medical cannabis study were treating anxiety in 2021.
58%
Reduction in anxiety and stress following cannabis use reported by medical cannabis patients in an online survey.
4 weeks
After 4 weeks, significant improvements in anxiety were reported in an open-label, phase 2 clinical trial using CBD.
Symptoms
Constantly feeling ‘on edge’
Difficulty concentrating
Dizziness
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Feeling sick
Irritability
Restlessness
Shortness of breath
Tiredness
Trembling
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
For people with anxiety, talking therapies like CBT, and lifestyle adaptations such as regularly exercising and cutting out caffeine, can be useful in helping you to learn how to cope with anxiety triggers, or reduce the chances of their onset. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may also be prescribed.
Benzodiazepines
Duloxetine
Escitalopram
Paroxetine
Pregabalin
Sertraline
Venlafaxine
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
Condition Peripheral Neuropathy
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Anxiety & Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Restless Legs Syndrome
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Insomnia
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition CRPS
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Adjunctive Cancer Care
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Insomnia & Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Endometriosis
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Low Back Pain
Subscriber 3 years
Condition Arthritis
Subscriber 2 years
Condition ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Anxiety & ADHD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Anxiety & Depression
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Chronic Pain
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Endometriosis
Subscriber 2 years
Condition PTSD
Subscriber 2 years
Condition Fibromyalgia
Subscriber 2 years
"A significant proportion of adults struggle with anxiety disorders - generalised anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, OCD and Post traumatic stress disorder. Medication based treatments are not always effective and can cause significant side effects of their own. Talking treatments are not always readily available and don’t suit everyone. Medical cannabis is showing remarkable effectiveness in treating the symptoms of anxiety – sometimes helping people to relax and feel some relief from their symptoms for the first time in years!"
Dr Sue Clenton
Medical Director
06. 07. 2023
Anxiety disorders come in many forms, and they all share one thing in common. That is, they are on the rise. With one in six adults in the United Kingdom now diagnosed with some form of anxiety, the need for additional treatment options has never been more pronounced. Below, we will look at what anxiety is exactly, how it can affect you, and the possible ways medical cannabis may be able to help.
06. 07. 2023
15. 03. 2024
With roots stretching back more than two decades, World Panic Day was created to bring attention to the alarming rise in anxiety disorders and the need for improved understanding, support, and treatment. It is a day to educate others about the realities of living with anxiety, to dispel myths and misconceptions, and to promote acceptance.
15. 03. 2024
05. 07. 2023
Anxiety issues are the most commonly diagnosed mental health issues in the UK. Each week, one in six of us will be battling through some form of anxiety. And while anxious feelings are a healthy part of the human condition, there is a difference between the occasional worry and serious angst.
05. 07. 2023
Patients may be prescribed medical cannabis for anxiety if they’ve struggled to find success with alternative treatments, or as an augmentation to an existing treatment plan. As many as 8 out of 100 people struggle with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), with many more experiencing social anxiety or anxiety as a symptom of another condition, such as PTSD and OCD. Common treatment approaches include talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and conventional pharmaceutical medications. Some people may seek out alternative treatments for anxiety because they don’t like the side effects of their current medication or the treatment hasn’t been as successful as they’d hoped.
A medical professional may prescribe medical cannabis for anxiety if they believe it will have a therapeutic effect on one or more of the negative symptoms of this common mental health condition. Cannabis is rich in phytocannabinoids, which can mimic the effects of endocannabinoids, found throughout the body. Cannabinoids impact the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a network of receptors that affect almost all aspects of wellness. These include sleep, pain, and mood regulation, among others.
Phytocannabinoids include THC and CBD, with THC being the psychoactive compound of the plant that’s associated with the “high” cannabis can create at high doses. While THC for anxiety can have a potential therapeutic effect, it’s important to address the fact that some people may experience anxious feelings when self-administering THC. Like any medication, dosage is critical. A professional consultant considers your symptoms and how medical cannabis could help, and determines what dosage is appropriate for your specific situation.
Anxiety affects everyone differently. Some people may experience constant worry, but be able to function and go to work despite this. Others may find it difficult to leave the house, and may struggle with specific anxieties such as agoraphobia. Here are some of the symptoms that medical cannabis could help with:
|
Anxiety symptoms |
How symptoms present |
How medical cannabis for anxiety could help |
|
Intense worrying and feeling on edge |
Stress, overthinking things in both personal and work life, avoiding social situations, reduced libido, low self-esteem. |
Medical cannabis is associated with a relaxing effect, which could, for some people, alleviate the intensity of worry and stress. |
|
Insomnia and other sleep disorders |
Constant worry and stress can lead to a range of sleep disorders including trouble getting to sleep, frequent nighttime waking, and nightmares or night terrors. These can cause distress, tiredness, and impact personal relationships. Poor sleep can exacerbate anxiety and general mood regulation, leading to a negative cycle of worsening well-being. |
Some patients find that medical cannabis helps with improved sleep, slowing racing thoughts that can lead to sleeplessness, and general relaxation. |
|
Fatigue |
Poor sleep, stress, and the physical symptoms of anxiety can lead to intense feelings of tiredness. Other related symptoms include brain fog, poor concentration, and memory problems. |
The potential therapeutic effect on sleep and physical relaxation can reduce the intensity of the symptoms that lead to fatigue. |
|
Palpitations and other physical panic symptoms
|
Racing heartbeat, feeling sick, dizziness, shaking, pins and needles, grinding teeth, muscle tension, and the urge to urinate. |
Patients may find that the relaxant properties of medical cannabis could reduce the frequency and intensity of physical panic symptoms. |
|
The NHS notes that anxiety is associated with stomach pain, headaches, and muscular pain. |
The potential anti-inflammatory properties of medical cannabis could help reduce pain levels or the perception of pain, which can, in turn, lower anxiety. |
|
|
While depression is not a symptom of anxiety as such, the two conditions often coincide. A 2024 report in the journal BJPsych Open stated that 24% of over 730,000 patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) also had symptoms of depression. The pressure of dealing with anxiety on a day-to-day basis can lead to low mood that persists for extended periods of time. |
A 2022 study of 129 individuals reported that depression symptoms reduced after one, three, and six months when they were treated with medical cannabis. |
Social anxiety can be debilitating, preventing people from spending time with friends or family, or stopping them from forming new relationships. In extreme cases, people may stop leaving the house, or may only do so when they know they won’t have to interact with people, for example, in the middle of the night.
Studies suggest that administering medical cannabis for anxiety could help with these social fears. One 2025 review of medical cannabis studies concluded that 70% of the research reports positive improvements in both social and general anxiety after taking this medication.
Patient stories also offer hope to those with social anxiety:
“I've also been able to socialise and go out more. I've found that vaping before going out is very useful, because it takes the edge off. I don’t exactly turn into a social butterfly, but at least I can enter a room and participate in the conversation.” Daryl, a Releaf patient.
There are a number of studies that examine the potential of medical cannabis for anxiety relief. Some focus solely on anxiety disorders while others examine the medication’s impact on conditions associated with anxiety, such as PTSD.
|
Study |
Findings |
|
A naturalistic examination of the perceived effects of cannabis on negative affect by Cutler et al |
This review from the Journal of Affective Disorders (2018) highlighted that cannabis “…significantly reduced ratings of depression, anxiety, and stress.” |
|
A more recent systematic review from 2024 took details from eight studies and concluded that they all stated that administering CBD for anxiety offers potential anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. |
|
|
Anxiety is a common symptom of PTSD. This study reviewed self-reports of patients taking medical cannabis, and reported that some experienced a 75% reduction in the severity of PTSD symptoms. |
|
|
Although this Australian study from 2020 was primarily exploring the benefits of medical cannabis for IBD, the results state that 92.7% of 838 patients reported that medical cannabis improved their anxiety, stress, and sleep, among other symptoms. |
Medical cannabis is available in various formats, including:
· Oils
· Pastilles
· Dried flower for vaporisers
The type of medical cannabis you’re prescribed will largely be down to personal preference and which format your consultant thinks will work best for your specific situation. If you dislike vaping, for example, pastilles or capsules may be the better choice.
When you book a consultation with a Releaf clinician, you may also discuss different medical cannabis strains as well as the dosage that will be most appropriate for you. Different strains contain potentially therapeutic compounds in varying volumes, making some more suitable for particular symptoms.
Anxiety is one of the conditions medical cannabis can be prescribed for in the UK, depending on your symptoms and what other treatments you’ve tried or are currently taking.
Find out if you could be eligible for medical cannabis for anxiety by heading to the eligibility checker on the Releaf website. Releaf has a world-class clinical team of over 50 specialists, many of whom have extensive experience with mental health conditions, including anxiety. We’re the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, with a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,000 reviews.
You’re probably wondering how Releaf pricing works. It’s always simple and transparent. Either pay as you go, or sign up for Releaf+. Once you’ve paid your initial consultation fee, prescription charges and deliveries are free, and medication costs are discounted. You also gain access to unique benefits such as legal advice via Releaf Protect.
When it comes to understanding medical cannabis for anxiety, UK patients can find many resources on the Releaf website. These include educational articles, such as understanding the difference between Indica vs. Sativa strains of cannabis. There’s also practical information on topics such as when to apply for travel certificates.
If you’re ready to join the 240,000+ Releaf community, fill out the medical cannabis eligibility checker or contact our team.
Like all medications, CBD can affect everyone in slightly different ways. However, many studies suggest that CBD and other phytocannabinoids found in medical cannabis can potentially alleviate some of the symptoms of anxiety.
The association between anxiety and THC, often incorrectly labelled as “paranoia,” is based on self-administering THC-heavy cannabis without professional medical advice on dosage. When you’re prescribed medical cannabis for anxiety symptoms, your consultant will carefully consider what dosage is appropriate for you, to optimise the potential for relief.
CBD oil has many potential benefits, but contains almost none of the other compounds found in medical cannabis. Medical cannabis oil offers the full range of these, including various phytocannabinoids and terpenes. Since 2018, medical cannabis oil for anxiety has been a legal option in certain circumstances, and you can check if you’re eligible online.
Releaf - Redefining healthcare
