Substance-induced anxiety: the link between marijuana and anxiety
Marijuana is an illegal drug composed of the dried leaves and flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant. The active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what makes people feel 'high'. Cannabis itself is a depressant, meaning that it targets the central nervous system by slowing messages being relayed between the brain and the body. THC is a very potent drug; the interaction of THC with the brain causes the feelings of paranoia and panic.
Marijuana is most commonly smoked but may also be eaten. When smoked, THC quickly enters the bloodstream through the lungs and moves to the brain, a process which can occur within a couple of minutes and last for a few hours. THC can remain in the body for days after just one dose of marijuana.
Marijuana affects mood, thoughts, memory, judgment and perception. People's eactions to marijuana differ; some individuals are more susceptible to its effects than others. Factors which affect the resulting symptoms include how strong the marijuana is, how it is taken, how much is taken, a person's size, health, mood and whether they are in the company of others or alone.
Immediate effects of marijuana include feeling unusually well, laughter and talkativeness, difficulties in concentration and coordination, hunger, increased heart beat and red eyes. Consumption of large amounts may result in confusion, paranoia, restlessness, feeling distant from reality and anxiety or panic. Long term effects include increased risk of cancer and lung damage, decreased learning abilities, lack of motivation and problems in short-term memory.
Psychological dependency occurs when a drug becomes a part of one's lifestyle. Tolerance, in which an individual needs to take increasingly greater doses to obtain the same effect, can occur. Panic and anxiety can result if the drug is unavailable to the individual and they are unable to achieve the high that they crave.
As marijuana has only been widely used since the 1960s, there may be other long-term effects that are yet to be discovered.
Drug and mental health researchers are becoming increasingly aware of a link between marijuana and mental illness. Results of a study on the link between cannabis use and depression suggest there is no proof that users of cannabis will inevitably suffer depression. However, it does suggest a higher risk of suffering from depression. The same is likely to be true for anxiety and panic disorders.
Australian research conducted in 2002 showed that young people who used cannabis weekly were twice as likely to suffer depression or anxiety than non-users. For those who used cannabis daily, the likelihood of suffering depression or anxiety was much greater.
Caution, however, must be taken when interpreting such results. Participants in these studies are usually heavy users and it cannot be determined whether marijuana causes depression and anxiety or whether depressed and anxious individuals use marijuana in order to feel better.
There is no clear evidence that marijuana or cannabis contributes to or causes mental illness, but it may contribute to the risk of developing a mental disorder. Users of cannabis who suffer from depression and anxiety may well suffer from these conditions even if they did not use cannabis. There are many other risk factors that contribute to the onset of mental illness. Statistics show that the majority of cannabis users do not develop a mental disorder.
Many people have reported experiencing panic attacks while consuming marijuana. Is there is a link between THC levels in cannabis and panic attacks? Professionals in the field of anxiety and related disorders believe there is definitely a link. According to the Anxiety and Panic Hub, marijuana can cause panic attacks, panic disorder and psychosis. They state that panic attacks may be triggered by marijuana consumption in individuals who have a predisposition for panic attacks. Similarly, psychosis may be triggered in individuals who are predisposed to schizophrenia.
Individuals who cease to use marijuana when they experience panic attacks may not find that the panic disappears. Conditions such as panic disorder, depression and drug dependence can also result. Marijuana-induced anxiety usually occurs at high doses. These symptoms may be experienced by individuals with no pre-existing mental illness. These episodes are more likely to occur in inexperienced users who have taken a high dose.
Extensive research on this link is necessary to be able to state with any confidence that marijuana 'causes' panic attacks. It appears marijuana can trigger the development of panic attacks and panic disorder, however further research to confirm this link has yet to be conducted.
It appears that whether panic attacks and panic disorder are triggered by marijuana or another event, the associated problems experienced are similar. Consequently, therapy for anxiety triggered by marijuana would be the same as therapy for anxiety triggered by other factors. According to Charles Linden (Panic-Anxiety.com), users who experience anxiety following marijuana use should not be concerned about permanent damage. Rather, the way the brain functions has been altered (one's anxiety level has been increased). Therapy may be helpful, and is an option worth considering, to work through the anxiety and related problems.
Written by Catherine
ADAVIC Volunteer
2004
