What Is It Like to Take Medical Cannabis Edibles for Anxiety?
Key takeaways:
An increasing number of people are using medical cannabis edibles to treat anxiety.
The FDA hasn’t approved medical cannabis for any health conditions.
Three people who take medical cannabis edibles to reduce anxiety share their experience with GoodRx.
While medical cannabis (also referred to as marijuana) is illegal under federal law, many states allow it. Each state has its own rules for its use.
Medical cannabis comes in many forms. They include dried flower gummies, chocolates, and other edibles, as well as oils, topicals, and patches.
The FDA hasn’t approved medical cannabis for any health conditions. However, many people take medical cannabis to treat a variety of symptoms, including anxiety.
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Must be 21 years or older to purchase. Cannabis is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing or those who are suffering from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Cannabis use may increase risk of falls. Always consult with your doctor before beginning any new medical treatment.
GoodRx spoke to three people who take medical cannabis edibles for anxiety. Here are their stories.
Seeking calm without feeling high
Sarah Spencer, a 25-year-old marketing professional in Chicago, says medical cannabis edibles “gave me my life back.”
Sarah lives with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can make it hard to fall and stay asleep. She originally began consuming cannabis for chronic pain and got her medical cannabis card to treat it. But she found that cannabis also improved the quality and quantity of her sleep.
Sarah takes cannabis edibles, which she says give her energy and reduce anxiety. When PTSD symptoms interfere with her sleep or daily life, she usually microdoses. She’ll take a 3 mg to 5 mg edible with a balanced 1:1 ratio of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). This combination gives her THC’s mood-boosting benefits without the high, she says.
“[Being high] was one of my first concerns when I started using medical marijuana,” Sarah says. “Most of the [products] I use are about half THC and half CBD, which I find keeps me from feeling high at all.”
Sarah prefers sativa strains for their mood and energizing effects. Indica strains, which some people take for sleep, increase her anxiety, she says. Taking low daytime doses of sativa can help her stay productive and focused.
Microdosing is usually enough for Sarah’s PTSD symptoms. However, in the past, she used higher-dose tinctures that contained THC, CBD, and cannabinol (CBN), a compound believed to promote sleep.
What’s the difference between medical cannabis and recreational weed? Learn more about the legal distinctions between these types of marijuana.
When can healthcare professionals prescribe medical cannabis? Doctors in some states can recommend use of medical cannabis for certain conditions.
How long do cannabis edibles last? Here’s what our experts say.
She says cannabis-infused edibles and drinks help her feel more at ease. When her chest tightens or she has other anxiety-related responses, she can calm herself.
“[Medical cannabis] gives me so much more freedom and ability to be in my body,” she says. “It gives me peace and enough control over [anxiety] that I can build healthy mindfulness habits.”
Sarah recommends getting product recommendations from medical cannabis staff.
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“Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, ‘How can I use cannabis without getting high?’” she says. “Or, how can I get high in a way that feels safe for me?’”
Overcoming ‘debilitating’ anxiety
Camille Bradbury, a 39-year-old writer in Taos, New Mexico, started taking medical cannabis edibles for anxiety about 8 years ago. Camille’s anxiety can be “pretty debilitating,” she says.
“It's manifested a lot into perfectionism and trying to get things right, trying to control all of these pieces so I wouldn't feel anxious.”
Camille smokes medical cannabis but also takes 10 mg cannabis gummies. With medical cannabis, “I'm able to take a deep breath,” Camille says. “I'm able to see my life in perspective.”
Medical cannabis shifts Camille’s thoughts to a place of calm, she says.
Camille says the medical dispensary staff knew more about the products than staff at recreational dispensaries. They recommended products to help with anxiety.
She tried various strains of medical cannabis to find which effects worked best for her and found the indica strain to be calming.
“Indicas are a lot better for me for anxiety” she says, and help her be less in her head.
Finding balance through cannabis edibles
Monica Olano is a 38-year-old stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur from New Orleans. She started taking medical cannabis gummies in 2023 after a difficult childbirth.
“I spiraled into a bad case of postpartum anxiety and depression,” Monica says. “I had three kids under 18 months old that I was trying to deal with while healing.”
Monica says she was self-medicating with alcohol and knew she needed to make healthier choices. A psychiatrist prescribed her alprazolam (Xanax) for anxiety. Later, the doctor prescribed her bupropion (Wellbutrin XL), an antidepressant.
But Monica didn’t want to take prescription medication and wasn’t feeling better. So she got approved for a medical marijuana card. She says she hoped cannabis might help her anxiety and depression.
“I'm not one to smoke,” Monica says. “So that's why I went the edible route.”
She learned that higher-dosage cannabis edibles made her feel too “high.” The edibles that best eased her anxiety contained at least a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD. A higher ratio of CBD was even better.
“Most of what I was ordering was like 10 (CBD) to 1 (THC). That's what made me relax,” she says.
She may drink a 1:1 CBD/THC beverage to calm her social anxiety.
“The THC is more euphoric,” Monica says. “But too much of it can lead to anxiety. CBD helps balance it out and calm my anxiety.”
Monica stopped drinking and now sees a therapist to cope with anxiety and depression.
What does the pharmacist say?
Stacia Woodcock, PharmD
Pharmacy Editor
Medical cannabis has become more popular in recent years as states continue to legalize its use. But unlike prescription medications, it’s not a one-size-fits-all treatment. If you’re considering giving medical cannabis a try for anxiety (or other symptoms), there are a few things to be aware of:
Everyone responds to cannabis differently. Cannabis effects vary widely from person to person. So a product that helps your anxiety symptoms may worsen someone else’s. This can make it challenging to find the right product for your needs. Talking to a trained medical professional can help guide you in the right direction and avoid unwanted side effects.
Cannabis has drug interactions and side effects to be aware of. Since it’s a plant, there’s often a misconception that cannabis doesn’t carry the same risks as prescription medications. But it still has risks, side effects, and interactions you should know about and discuss with a healthcare professional before trying it. The risks are even greater if you purchase cannabis outside of a state-regulated dispensary, because its safety and potency can’t be guaranteed.
Cannabis comes in different formulations. Cannabis products are classified by the amount of different cannabinoids they contain. You’ll often see this as a ratio, such as 1:20, 1:1, or 20:1. This tells you whether a product is high THC, high CBD, or an equal amount of both. The numbers can also refer to other cannabinoids, such as CBN, although this is less common. High CBD and balanced products are less likely to be intoxicating or make you high. Ratio order can differ between states (some list THC first, while others list CBD first). So be sure to ask for clarification if you’re unsure. Dispensaries often refer to cannabis products as “indica,” “sativa,” and “hybrid,” but the science shows that these terms don’t hold much weight. Asking about the product ratio as well as what terpenes it contains is a better way to get a feel for how it may affect you.
Cannabis works differently depending on what dosage form you’re taking. Cannabis comes in many different dosage forms, such as oil or flower for inhalation, sublingual tinctures, or edibles. Inhaled products work quickly but don’t last very long, while edible products can take hours to start working but last a long time. It’s easy to overdo it with edibles if you don’t wait long enough for them to kick in. A sublingual option is a good starting place for most people, since it lies in the middle of these two extremes.
When it comes to dosing, start small. It’s a good idea to start with a low dose of cannabis to avoid unwanted side effects. You can always take more, but there’s nothing you can do except wait it out if you take too much. It’s also a good idea to start with high CBD or balanced ratio products if you’re new to cannabis.
Cannabis is still illegal under federal law. Even if cannabis is legal in your state, the U.S. government still considers it an illegal substance. There could be legal ramifications for your job, housing, and even child custody if you test positive for cannabis, even in a state where it’s legal. So talk to your HR team or legal counsel for more information if you’re concerned about these issues before consuming cannabis.
If you keep these key things in mind, medical cannabis may help improve your symptoms and quality of life. But it doesn’t replace proven medical treatments and guidance. So don’t hesitate to seek help if you’re struggling with anxiety.
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