Marijuana can be quite an unpredictable substance.
For some, a few inhalations lead to calmness, while for others, even a puff triggers anxiety.
Due to its largely prohibited status, researching marijuana is challenging.
A recent study offers insights into THC, the primary psychoactive component, and its link to stress relief.
Emma Childs, a psychiatry professor, led a study with 42 participants, aged 18 to 40.
All had prior experience with cannabis but were not daily users.
The participants were divided into three groups using a double-blind method.
One group received 7.5 mg of THC, another 12.5 mg, and the third received a placebo.
Each participant took their assigned doses before tasks during two four-hour sessions.
In the first session, they prepared for a simulated job interview and then did a math task.
Participants had to count backwards, a task that can feel especially daunting under the influence.
Childs and her team described the task as “very reliably stress-inducing.”
In the second session, participants discussed a favorite book or movie, followed by solitaire.
After each session, they rated their stress levels and described their feelings about the tasks.
Scientists measured physiological indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.
Participants who received 7.5 mg of THC reported lower stress levels than those with the placebo.
Those who took the higher dose of THC experienced a more negative mood.
They found the tasks more threatening and challenging than those who took the placebo.
Interestingly, there were no significant differences in heart rate or blood pressure.
The cortisol levels, associated with stress, also showed no major variations between groups.
Childs summarized the findings, noting that cannabis may alleviate stress.
However, the higher THC dose resulted in minor increases in anxiety and negative mood.
Cannabis’s effects remain uncertain, especially its relationship with anxiety.
Research at Vanderbilt University found cannabinoid receptors in a key brain area tied to anxiety.
A 2014 study noted that 50% of medical marijuana users reported stress relief.
Though a connection exists, researchers struggle to get permits for further cannabis research.
For now, cannabis should be considered a Goldilocks substance. Getting the dose just right is crucial—neither too much nor too little.
Feature Image Credit: (Image: Canva) (OLEG ZHARSKY)
