Anxiety or Just Too Much Weed? Understanding Your Emotions & the Impact of Cannabis
If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of a full-blown panic attack after hitting your weed pen, you’re not alone. Many people use cannabis to relax, but for some, it can actually cause the very symptoms they’re trying to avoid—like anxiety, racing thoughts, and even paranoia. So how do you know if your anxiety is coming from an actual disorder or if it’s being triggered by cannabis use?
As therapists, we encourage self-awareness, honesty, and discernment. Your emotions are valuable information, but if you’re unknowingly contributing to your own distress, it’s time to explore why. Let’s break down the relationship between cannabis and anxiety, and how you can approach your mental health with more clarity and self-discipline.
Cannabis & Anxiety: A Complicated Relationship
Cannabis affects everyone differently, and while some experience deep relaxation, others spiral into panic. Research shows that low doses of THC can reduce anxiety, while higher doses can increase it (Crippa et al., 2019). This means that frequent or high-potency use—especially of today’s ultra-strong cannabis concentrates—may be working against your nervous system rather than for it.
Some key ways cannabis can contribute to anxiety:
THC Overload & Nervous System Dysregulation – THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a major role in regulating mood and stress. But when overstimulated, it can heighten heart rate, paranoia, and panic (Volkow et al., 2014).
Dependence & Emotional Avoidance – Cannabis can become a coping mechanism for emotional discomfort, leading to avoidance rather than resolution of distressing feelings (Hindocha et al., 2020).
Dysregulated Dopamine & Motivation – Overuse of THC can deplete dopamine, making motivation, focus, and emotional regulation harder over time (Bloomfield et al., 2016).
If you’re using cannabis daily but noticing an increase in anxiety, low motivation, or difficulty managing emotions, it’s worth exploring whether it’s helping or hurting your mental health.
Are You Causing Your Own Symptoms? The Need for Self-Honesty
One of the most important aspects of therapy is learning to discern the real causes of your emotional experiences. Anxiety isn’t just random—it’s a response to something. But if you’re feeding the fire with substances that dysregulate your nervous system, you might be unknowingly making things worse.
It’s a hard truth…Sometimes we’re the ones hurting our own feelings. Ask yourself this:
Do I feel more anxious after using cannabis, even if I thought it would relax me?
Am I using weed to numb uncomfortable emotions rather than working through them?
Has my tolerance increased, making it harder to feel normal without it?
If cannabis is a significant part of your routine, but your anxiety is getting worse, it may be time to pause and evaluate.
Panic Attack or Weed-Induced Anxiety? How to Tell the Difference
Many people assume they have an anxiety disorder when, in reality, their cannabis use is triggering panic symptoms. Here’s how to tell the difference:
Anxiety Disorder
Persistent worry, even when not using cannabis
Avoidance of situations due to fear
Generalized anxiety present for months or years
Weed-Induced Anxiety
Sudden paranoia or racing heart only after using
Anxiety worsens with high THC doses
Symptoms resolve after a tolerance break
If your anxiety symptoms appear most intensely after using cannabis, it’s worth considering whether THC is playing a role in dysregulating your nervous system.
Therapy, Self-Discipline, & Taking Responsibility for Your Well-Being
Therapy isn’t just about talking—it’s about gaining clarity, self-awareness, and emotional discipline. If you’re caught in a cycle where cannabis is fueling your anxiety, it’s time to step back and make more intentional choices about your mental health.
Here’s how therapy can help:
🛠 Building Emotional Regulation – Instead of numbing discomfort with substances, therapy teaches healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
🧘 Understanding Your Nervous System – Through approaches like Somatic Therapy, EMDR, and Mindfulness, you can learn how your body responds to stress and how to regain balance naturally.
📉 Harm Reduction & Balance – Therapy isn’t about shaming you for cannabis use, but about helping you recognize patterns and make informed choices that support your well-being.
One More Thing… Making Intentional Choices for Your Mental Health
Cannabis isn’t inherently good or bad, but how you use it matters. If it’s interfering with your emotional stability rather than helping it, taking a break or reevaluating your relationship with it could be the key to reducing anxiety.
If you’re ready to explore deeper healing and take control of your mental well-being, therapy can help. Understanding what your mind and body truly need—and making choices that align with your best self—is the ultimate act of self-care.
Next Steps
Curious if cannabis is affecting your mental health? Therapy can help you explore the mind-body connection and find balance.
Work with a trauma-informed therapist to build self-awareness, emotional resilience, and better coping strategies.
🧠 Book a session with me at Revive Counseling & Consulting: www.healwithrevive.com
📅 Schedule a consultation today: Click Here
-References-
Bloomfield, M. A., Ashok, A. H., Volkow, N. D., & Howes, O. D. (2016). The effects of cannabis on dopamine release: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Biological Psychiatry, 82(7), 613-620.
Crippa, J. A., Guimarães, F. S., Campos, A. C., & Zuardi, A. W. (2019). Translational investigation of the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD): Toward a new age. Frontiers in Immunology, 10, 2009.
Hindocha, C., Freeman, T. P., Ferris, J. A., Lynskey, M. T., & Winstock, A. R. (2020). No smoke without tobacco: A global overview of cannabis and tobacco routes of administration and their association with intention to quit. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 1-12.
Volkow, N. D., Swanson, J. M., Evins, A. E., DeLisi, L. E., Meier, M. H., González, R., Bloomfield, M. A., Curran, H. V., & Baler, R. (2014). Effects of cannabis use on human behavior, including cognition, motivation, and psychosis: A review. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(3), 292-297.
