Marijuana Use and Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder involves feelings of fear and anxiety in social situations due to concerns of being judged or evaluated, often leading a person to avoid these events altogether. If you live with social anxiety disorder and are considering marijuana as a treatment option, you might be wondering whether it can help.

While some research supports the use of cannabis or "weed" for easing social anxiety symptoms, not all findings are positive. Plus, long-term studies on this drug's safety and effectiveness are lacking. Here's what you need to know about using marijuana for social anxiety disorder, including the potential risks.

Social Anxiety and Marijuana Use

Almost 30% of adults with cannabis dependence also have social anxiety disorder. This suggests that there is a strong connection between experiencing anxiety in social situations and engaging in marijuana use.

People with social anxiety disorder generally use marijuana for two reasons: coping and/or avoidance. They use the drug as a way to reduce the anxiety they feel, or they use it as a reason to avoid situations that don't allow for cannabis use.

Is Marijuana Effective for Social Anxiety?

Answering this question requires looking at two marijuana cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the psychoactive substance in marijuana that is responsible for its "high." CBD is not psychoactive but can affect the body via the endocannabinoid system.

Research indicates that CBD appears to decrease anxiety but, when it comes to THC, the dosage of this cannabinoid matters. Specifically, lower doses of THC may decrease feelings of anxiousness while higher doses appear to make anxiety worse.

A 2021 review looked at the effects of THC and CBD on social anxiety specifically. It noted that, while some showed positive effects, others did not. Therefore, it was concluded that there isn't enough evidence to support the use of marijuana for social anxiety management.

The National Social Anxiety Center also warns that even if the THC or CBD in marijuana may help reduce anxiety in the short term, using marijuana may be more damaging for long-term anxiety relief. It indicates that marijuana use is a way to run from, fight, or suppress anxiety. It doesn't help you learn how to get through it.

Risks of Using Marijuana for Social Anxiety

Choosing to use marijuana to ease social anxiety disorder symptoms comes with several risks.

Problematic Use

Social anxiety disorder is the anxiety disorder most often associated with problematic cannabis use—affecting more than double the people with other anxiety disorders. Problematic use means that the usage of marijuana causes some type of problem for the person in their everyday life.

Addiction and Dependence

Marijuana can be addictive, maybe even more so for someone with social anxiety disorder. In fact, research indicates that people who experience social anxiety have a seven times higher risk of meeting cannabis use disorder criteria.

People with marijuana addiction may develop a dependence on this drug, using it more and more to get the "high" feeling. They might also have an increased risk of developing cognitive issues related to attention, memory, and learning.

Negative Side Effects

People using marijuana can experience side effects. The most common side effects of marijuana use are dizziness and sedation—occurring in more than one in 10 users—with other common effects including dry mouth and psychological effects.

Frequent and prolonged marijuana use can result in long-term effects as well. Using this drug regularly over time has been associated with mood disorders, the worsening of psychotic disorders in some people, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and other health conditions.

Teens using marijuana risk that this drug will negatively impact their brain's development. This can potentially lead to impairments in their thought, memory, and learning processes.

Alternative Social Anxiety Treatment Options

There are many alternatives to treating social anxiety that have been proven safe and effective, and don't have the risks associated with marijuana use. Two preferred treatments for this disorder are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches you how to change destructive thought patterns, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications.

There are also strategies that you can practice on your own. Meditation and mindfulness are two methods for calming the mind and slowing down anxiety. You may even combine these practices by engaging in mindfulness meditation.

Summary

Using marijuana for social anxiety disorder is still in its infancy and more research is needed to confirm this drug's effectiveness and safety for this use. Your healthcare provider can help you find treatment options that have shown over time to effectively manage social anxiety, including therapy and medication.