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

The takeaway

In a 4-week trial with 499 anxious participants, all three cannabis product types (THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, 1:1) produced both greater emotional reactivity to stress and stronger recovery compared to non-use.

anxiety researchers, cannabis consumers using for anxiety, clinical psychologists

What the researchers found

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.

Why it matters

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 numbers in context

499 participants with mild+ anxiety. 4 weeks ad libitum use. THC-dominant (n=152), CBD-dominant (n=163), 1:1 (n=140), no use (n=44). All cannabis conditions: greater reactivity and recovery vs. non-use. THC elevated HR vs. CBD and non-use. CBD did not change HR vs. non-use.

How the study worked

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.

What this study cannot tell us

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.

How to read the evidence

Experimental design with adequate sample and extended use period, but non-randomized assignment, small control group, and ad libitum dosing limit to moderate.

When this study was published

Recently published experimental study.

The bigger picture

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.

Questions still open

Does cannabis enhance emotional processing in a way that could be therapeutically useful?
Would the reactivity-recovery pattern look different with standardized doses?

Common questions

Does cannabis help or hurt anxiety?

This study suggests it does both. All cannabis types made participants react more strongly to a stressor but also recover more completely. The net effect on anxiety may depend on the individual and situation.

Is CBD better than THC for anxiety?

Both produced similar patterns of greater reactivity and recovery. The key difference was that THC elevated heart rate while CBD did not, which matters for people whose anxiety involves physiological symptoms.

Read the original research

Experimental study on cannabis use and affect: Effects on reactivity to and recovery from negative stimuli.

Journal of psychopathology and clinical science, 134(6), 639-650

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Skrzynski, Carillon J; Rosa, Luiza; Drake, Austin; Bryan, Angela D; Bidwell, L Cinnamon. (2025). Experimental study on cannabis use and affect: Effects on reactivity to and recovery from negative stimuli.. Journal of psychopathology and clinical science, 134(6), 639-650. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0001023