CBD-dominant cannabis reduced anxiety more than THC-dominant in people with anxiety symptoms

All cannabis groups reported anxiety reduction over 4 weeks, but CBD-dominant use was associated with lower DASS anxiety scores (difference=-1.03, p=0.02) and lower acute tension and paranoia compared to THC-dominant. THC-dominant cannabis did not increase anxiety. All groups experienced positive mood and subjective drug effects.

Quasi-experimental study with 42 non-cannabis-using participants with anxiety symptoms as controls and 258 cannabis users with anxiety randomly assigned to THC-dominant (24% THC), THC+CBD (12%/12%), or CBD-dominant (<1% THC) legal market flower for 4 weeks of ad libitum use.

This is one of the first studies examining legal market cannabis products with varying THC:CBD ratios in people with actual anxiety symptoms, providing ecologically valid data on what consumers might experience.

The finding that THC did not worsen anxiety contradicts common clinical advice but aligns with many users' experience. The superior anxiety reduction with CBD-dominant products supports growing consumer interest in high-CBD, low-THC cannabis for anxiety management.

Quasi-experimental, not fully randomized (non-users were a separate group). Self-selected participants. Ad libitum dosing means variable exposure. 4-week duration limits conclusions about long-term effects. Legal market products with variable consistency.