New Review Confirms Cannabis Helps Ease Anxiety and Boosts Quality of Life

Cannabis Found Effective for Managing Anxiety-Related Disorders, Review Shows

A newly published systematic review from Australia has found strong evidence that medicinal cannabis can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve overall quality of life in patients living with anxiety-related disorders.

The review, published in the journal Psychiatry Research, analyzed 57 studies involving both plant-derived and synthetic cannabis treatments for individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Despite variability in study design and outcomes, the majority of studies reviewed showed positive results. Among the higher-quality studies with minimal bias, 69% reported reductions in anxiety symptoms and improved quality of life after using cannabis-based therapies.

Specifically, participants with GAD experienced consistent reductions in anxiety scores, while those with PTSD noted improvements in symptom management and better sleep quality. Researchers emphasized the need for continued research, particularly on how cannabis treatments might be integrated with standard therapies such as SSRIs, conventional anxiolytics, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The authors concluded:

“Across a range of anxiety-related disorders, most high-quality studies found that medicinal cannabis reduced anxiety symptoms in individuals with GAD, PTSD, and SAD.”

Supporting this research, survey data shows that around 70% of cannabis users who self-medicate report using it primarily to alleviate anxiety.

As medical understanding of cannabis continues to evolve, this review reinforces the potential of cannabis to serve as a powerful tool in anxiety care—especially when combined thoughtfully with conventional treatment methods.