Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the world. At any time, around 4% of the global population experiences one. Many cases begin in childhood or adolescence. Despite their prevalence, only about one in four people with anxiety disorders receive treatment.
Established Treatments for Anxiety
There are several well-established treatments for anxiety that should always be considered first. These include psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and prescribed medication such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) including fluoxetine and sertraline.
These treatments are often effective, but some people do not respond as well as expected or may experience side effects. For those patients, research into the body’s endocannabinoid system has highlighted it as a potential new therapeutic target.
The Role of Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products
In the UK and globally, anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek treatment with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). The interaction between cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system is thought to play a role in regulating mood and stress responses.
Although CBMPs are not considered first-line therapy, some clinicians may consider them when other treatments are unsuitable or ineffective. Current evidence suggests that they may support improvements in wellbeing, sleep, and anxiety symptoms under medical supervision.
Evidence from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry
An analysis published by Ergisi et al. (2022) in the Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology examined clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for generalised anxiety disorder. The study evaluated changes in health-related quality of life and clinical safety at one, three, and six months.
Results from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry showed statistically significant improvements in both anxiety and sleep quality. Anxiety levels, measured using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), improved alongside sleep quality scores on the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS). These results suggest that medical cannabis may provide symptom relief and improve daily functioning for some patients when prescribed appropriately.
A Cautious and Evidence-Based Approach
Cannabis-based medicines are still being studied, and more research is needed to understand their long-term safety and effectiveness for anxiety. Patients should always discuss potential treatment options with a qualified clinician. Standard therapies such as CBT and SSRIs remain the first line of care.
At Wellford, our goal is to provide balanced, evidence-based information. We help patients and clinicians make informed decisions about whether medical cannabis may have a place in treatment when conventional options do not deliver sufficient benefit.
Reference
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Ergisi, M. et al. (2022). “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An analysis of clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis for generalised anxiety disorder.” Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 15, Issue 4.
