The Latest Research on Cannabis and Anxiety Is A Bit Misleading

Lancet Psychiatry published a study that analyzed cannabis research spanning nearly four decades. It focused on the effects of CBD and THC on mental disorders. A total of 83 studies were examined to investigate conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and Tourette syndrome. The majority of the studies focused on anxiety and depression, however.

The researchers reached the conclusion that there is evidence to suggest that THC can bring down anxiety regardless of whether it is used in conjunction with CBD or not. However, the researchers also said that there is little evidence suggesting that cannabinoids improve the aforementioned mental disorders. On top of that, they said that THC even exacerbates risk of severe side effects.

The findings got a lot of attention from media. From the data they surveyed, the conclusions seem right.

For one thing, a person suffering from anxiety should not take THC all by itself. As a matter of fact, it might even result in greater and more intense anxiety. Instead, they should use CBD and THC together so that the former can balance out the latter. In this sense, the research was indeed right. Despite this, there is still room for improvement.

Context and Language

Confusing language has always been an obstacle to the proper reporting of research on cannabis. The study might have focused on CBD and THC isolates, but it claims that there is scant evidence to prove how effective they are at treating mental disorders. There are more than 200 terpenes and over a hundred cannabinoids, so this can send the wrong signal to the public.

On top of that, researchers tend to lump together different blends and dosages. It is not accurate to jump to conclusions about all cannabinoids using such a small sample. This irresponsible language spreads misinformation.

Entourage Effect

The study did not explain how cannabinoids blend with CBD and THC to make a synergistic effect either. The researchers looked at studies that analyzed CBD, THC, and blends. Keep in mind that CBD and THC represent such a tiny aspect of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of the plant.

It might be impossible to review all 545 constituents, but the entourage effect should have been mentioned. What is that? Well, it is the suggestion that CBD and THC could perform differently when used together with other terpenes or cannabinoids.

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