Cannabis Users Reacted More Strongly to Stress but Also Recovered Faster Than Non-Users

All three cannabis conditions (THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, 1:1 ratio) showed greater emotional reactivity to a rumination task but also stronger recovery after a breathing exercise compared to the non-use condition. THC products elevated heart rate compared to CBD and non-use. CBD did not change heart rate relative to non-use. Effects were observed after 4 weeks of ad libitum use.

Experimental study with 499 individuals with at least mild anxiety (66% female, 68% White) assigned to 4 weeks of ad libitum use of THC-dominant (n=152), CBD-dominant (n=163), 1:1 ratio (n=140), or no product (n=44). Baseline and post-use sessions measured affect and heart rate before and after a rumination task and breathing recovery exercise. Three-level mixed effect models analyzed outcomes.

This is one of the few extended-use experimental studies comparing different cannabinoid profiles for anxiety. The finding that cannabis increases both reactivity and recovery complicates simple claims about cannabis either helping or harming anxiety.

The dual finding of greater reactivity and recovery suggests cannabis may intensify emotional processing rather than simply dampening or amplifying it. This has implications for how cannabis is used in anxiety management and could explain mixed results in other studies.

Non-randomized product assignment (ad libitum use). Very small non-use control group (n=44). Products were not standardized pharmaceutical preparations. No blinding. Self-selected anxious population. 4-week window may not capture longer-term effects.