The Science of Cannabis: Does It Help or Hurt With Anxiety? Is It Addictive? What's the Safest Way To Use It? | Dr. Riley Kirk
Dr. Riley Kirk, a cannabis research scientist with a Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, discusses the science, history, and risks of cannabis. She explains how the endocannabinoid system works, its health benefits for pain, sleep, and anxiety, and how to navigate products safely.
Deep Dive Analysis
19 Topic Outline
Host and Guest Personal Cannabis Experiences
Understanding THC Dosing and Anxiety
Distinguishing Key Cannabis Terms: THC, CBD, Hemp, Indica, Sativa
Navigating CBD Hype and Effective Dosing
Cannabis as a Complex Living Plant vs. Pharmaceuticals
Differentiating Cannabis Dependency from Addiction
Evolutionary Purpose of Psychoactive Plant Compounds
Historical Journey of Cannabis: From Medicine to Demonization
Current Legal Status and Challenges of Cannabis in the U.S.
The Endocannabinoid System: Master Regulator of the Body
Science-Backed Health Benefits of Cannabis
Cannabis for Creativity, Productivity, and Exercise
Potential Risks: Anxiety, Psychosis, and Lung Health
Comparing Cannabis Consumption Methods
Specific Risks of Cannabis Use for Adolescents
Driving Safety and Cannabis Tolerance
Cannabis Safety for Pets
Best Practices for Sourcing Cannabis Products
Personalizing Your Cannabis Experience
6 Key Concepts
Biphasic Manner (of THC)
THC can produce opposite effects depending on the dose. At low doses, it can help reduce anxiety, but at higher doses, it can cause anxiety and panic attacks, making dosing crucial for desired outcomes.
Hemp Products
These are non-THC cannabis products, typically CBD-dominant, that do not produce a high but offer medicinal potential. While they can include flower, the hemp industry also synthesizes new, potentially psychoactive compounds in labs from CBD, which are not naturally produced by the plant.
Indica vs. Sativa (Modern Use)
In today's legal market, these terms primarily describe the *effects* a consumer is seeking, rather than pure plant strains, as most cannabis is now hybridized. Sativa-type effects are generally uplifting and energetic, while indica-type effects are mellow and relaxing.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
An endogenous system present in almost all animals, including humans, that produces its own cannabinoids. Its main purpose is to maintain balance (homeostasis) in the body by regulating functions like sleep, appetite, mood, and pain, interacting with various other bodily systems.
Tolerance to THC
Regular cannabis consumption leads to the development of tolerance, meaning a decrease in cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This results in THC having fewer binding sites, causing a less intense reaction and reducing effects like anxiety over time for chronic users.
Distillate (in Vapes)
A highly refined cannabis oil that is almost pure THC, often lacking the full spectrum of other beneficial compounds found in the plant. Vaping distillate can lead to a less balanced experience and may carry risks such as the vaporization of heavy metals from vape carts.
11 Questions Answered
THC can act in a biphasic manner; low doses may help with anxiety, but high doses can cause anxiety and panic attacks. Individual tolerance and the specific strain (e.g., high THC) also play a significant role.
Many CBD products contain doses too low to be effective. Research suggests needing at least 200 milligrams of CBD to experience benefits for conditions like anxiety or seizures, so look for products with higher doses.
Cannabis does not activate the same addiction pathways as highly addictive substances, but dependency can occur. It's considered problematic if it causes harm to one's life, relationships, or finances, or if it's used as escapism rather than for wellness.
Many plants, including cannabis, produce drug-like molecules as a self-protection mechanism against bugs. These compounds act on similar receptors in insect brains as they do in human brains, but without killing humans.
The term 'marijuana' is rooted in racism, used to target Mexican-Americans and African-Americans during its criminalization. This led to cannabis becoming a Schedule I drug, not based on science, but to prohibit these populations from using the plant.
The ECS is an internal system present in almost all animals, responsible for maintaining balance (homeostasis) in the body. It regulates essential functions like sleep, appetite, mood, and pain by interacting with various other bodily systems.
THC does not cause schizophrenia, but for individuals with a genetic predisposition, cannabis use can decrease the age at which they experience their first schizophrenic episode and potentially worsen episodes.
Vaping, particularly with a dry herb vape that heats cannabis flower, is generally considered healthier than smoking because it vaporizes medicinal compounds without producing the harmful byproducts of combustion like tar.
Yes, there's data suggesting cannabis use in young people can change the ratio of gray matter to white matter in developing brains. The high THC content and discreet nature of modern vape carts, often used by adolescents, are a particular concern.
For cannabis-naive individuals, driving after THC consumption is unsafe due to impaired hand-eye coordination and motor control. However, individuals with a high tolerance to THC, who have fewer cannabinoid receptors activated, show less statistical danger on the road.
No, THC is not safe for pets. Dogs, for example, have more cannabinoid receptors in brain areas controlling movement and bowel control, leading to severe discomfort, inability to move, nausea, vomiting, and loss of bowel control if given too much THC.
43 Actionable Insights
1. Start Low, Go Slow
When trying cannabis, especially if new or sensitive, begin with very low doses and gradually increase to find your optimal effect, as you can always take more but cannot easily reverse an excessive dose.
2. Manage THC Dosing for Anxiety
Use low doses of THC or CBD products to help with anxiety, as too much THC can cause panic attacks and make anxiety worse.
3. Avoid Cannabis if Schizophrenia Risk
If you have a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia (family history), avoid cannabis products as THC can decrease the age of onset for the first schizophrenic episode, though it doesn’t cause the condition itself.
4. Delay Cannabis Use in Adolescence
Young people should delay cannabis use as long as possible, as there is data suggesting it can alter brain development (gray to white matter ratio) in developing brains.
5. Warn Adolescents About High-THC Vapes
Educate young people about the increased risks of high-THC vape carts, which are discreet, easy to overuse, and deliver unbalanced, potent doses compared to traditional flower.
6. Do Not Dose Pets
Never give THC products to pets, as it is unsafe and can cause distress, impaired movement, nausea, and loss of bowel control; CBD is generally safer for animals.
7. Avoid Driving as New User
If you are new to cannabis or have a low tolerance, do not drive after consumption, as it significantly impairs hand-eye coordination and motor control.
8. Dose CBD at 200mg+
To experience the medicinal benefits of CBD for conditions like anxiety or seizures, aim for doses of 200 milligrams or more, as lower doses are not typically supported by research.
9. CBD is Safe at High Doses
CBD is generally safe and does not cause a high, so you can safely experiment with higher doses (200mg+) without fear of overwhelming your brain.
10. Balance THC with CBD Products
To minimize detriments and maximize benefits, use CBD products alone or mix them with THC products to reduce the overall THC intake and help protect the brain from overstimulation.
11. Sensitive to THC? Use Hemp
If you are very sensitive to THC, opt for CBD-dominant hemp flower or CBD products, as CBD can protect your brain from overstimulation and balance out THC’s effects.
12. Avoid Synthetic Hemp Cannabinoids
Do not use synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., HHC, THCP) found in some hemp products, especially if new to cannabis, as they are not under the same testing regulations as legal cannabis.
13. Personalize Your Cannabis Use
Recognize that cannabis is a highly individualized medicine; experiment carefully with different strains and doses to understand how it uniquely affects your body.
14. Curate Your Cannabis Experience
Take control of your cannabis use by selecting different products for different times of day or specific desired effects (e.g., social situations, relaxation, mood enhancement).
15. Choose Strains Carefully
Be aware that different cannabis strains can have different effects; some may cause anxiety while others do not, so choose based on desired outcomes.
16. Avoid Sativas if Anxious
If you experience anxiety from sativa-type cannabis, avoid them as their uplifting profile can increase heart rate, and instead seek out more calming varieties.
17. Match Strain Type to Effect
Use ‘sativa’ to seek uplifting, energetic effects and ‘indica’ for mellow, relaxing effects, understanding that most modern products are hybrids.
18. Select Uplifting Strains for Activity
For activities like exercise or creative work, choose uplifting sativa-type varieties, but be mindful of dosing to avoid counterproductive effects.
19. Avoid High Doses for Motivation
High doses of cannabis can lead to lightheadedness or reduced motivation, making you want to relax rather than engage in active pursuits.
20. Use Dry Herb Vapes
For the healthiest inhalation method, use a dry herb vaporizer, which heats cannabis flower to vaporize compounds without combustion byproducts.
21. Prefer Flower Over Distillate Vapes
When vaping, prioritize cannabis flower over distillate vape oils, as distillate often lacks the full spectrum of beneficial plant compounds and may contain heavy metals from the cart.
22. Choose Method by Desired High
Select your cannabis consumption method (edibles vs. smoking/vaping) based on whether you prefer a body high (edibles) or a more cerebral head high (smoking/vaping).
23. Consider Edibles/Tinctures (with caveat)
Edibles and tinctures are good alternatives to smoking, but be aware that up to 20% of people may not feel the effects of edibles due to genetic differences in liver enzymes.
24. Source from Legal Dispensaries
Obtain cannabis products from legal dispensaries that provide tested products with clear cannabinoid profiles, or consider growing your own for a balanced, known-origin product.
25. Consult Dispensary Professionals
Utilize the expertise of staff at legal dispensaries to help you navigate product choices, dosing, and find cannabis options tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
26. Grow Your Own Cannabis
Cultivating your own cannabis can lead to a deeper appreciation for the plant, offering a more balanced product and a personal connection to its production.
27. Use Cannabis for Chronic Pain
Cannabis, particularly THC, can activate the endocannabinoid system to help reduce chronic pain by interrupting excessive pain signals sent to the brain.
28. Consider CBD for Seizures
CBD has been extensively studied and is a highly effective medicine for rare and severe forms of seizures.
29. Use Cannabis for Sleep
Cannabis products containing THC or CBN can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, though it may affect sleep quality initially.
30. Prioritize Any Sleep Over No Sleep
If you struggle with insomnia, using cannabis to achieve sleep, even if it reduces REM sleep, is generally more beneficial than getting no sleep at all.
31. Cannabis for Menopause Symptoms
Cannabis can help women experiencing menopause by bringing regulation to dysregulated systems, balancing hormones, mood, and sleep.
32. Enhance Creativity with Cannabis
Cannabis can help achieve a ‘flow state’ by reducing distracting thoughts, potentially enhancing creativity and focus for tasks like art or exercise, especially at low doses.
33. Use Cannabis as a Pre-Workout
Consider using low-dose cannabis as a pre-workout to help get into a ‘flow state’ and increase blood flow during exercise.
34. Stimulate Appetite with Cannabis
For conditions like cancer or HIV/AIDS where appetite stimulation is needed, cannabis (specifically THC) is a science-backed medicinal benefit.
35. Recognize Unhealthy Cannabis Use
If cannabis use prevents you from socializing, leaving home, eating, or functioning, it may indicate unhealthy reliance; consider lowering your dose, seeking therapy, or examining if it’s escapism.
36. Assess Use for Addiction Signs
Differentiate between dependency and addiction by evaluating if cannabis use is causing harm to your life, relationships, or finances; if it’s beneficial, dependency is acceptable.
37. Beware of Anxiety if Predisposed
If you have a history of anxiety, be especially cautious with cannabis use, as you are more susceptible to experiencing anxiety or panic attacks from it.
38. Tolerance Reduces Anxiety Risk
Regular cannabis users (those with tolerance) are less likely to experience anxiety from cannabis compared to sporadic or new users.
39. Be Aware of Lung Health Risks
Understand that smoking cannabis, like any inhaled substance, can produce tar and potentially impact lung health over time, leading to phlegm or breathing difficulties.
40. Discuss Cannabis with Children Openly
When discussing cannabis with children, encourage them to wait as long as possible, suggest cannabis as a safer alternative if they feel compelled to use substances, and foster open communication.
41. Use ‘Cannabis’ Not ‘Marijuana’
Be mindful of the term ‘marijuana’ due to its historical roots in racism and its use to target Mexican-Americans; prefer the term ‘cannabis’ instead.
42. Support Cannabis Justice Initiatives
Advocate for and support organizations like the Last Prisoner Project that work to free individuals incarcerated for cannabis-related charges, acknowledging the ongoing racial disparities in arrests.
43. Accept If Cannabis Isn’t Right
If you consistently have negative experiences with cannabis, it’s perfectly acceptable to avoid it, as not everyone reacts well to the plant.
7 Key Quotes
If you use a really low dose of THC, if you use CBD products, that can help with anxiety. But if you're smoking a full 25% joint, that's not going to help with your anxiety ever. It's almost always going to make it worse.
Dr. Riley Kirk
Cannabis is 400 things. It's a living plant that has so many different compounds in it. And every strain that you may try has a different ratio, a different presence or absence of these molecules of these drugs.
Dr. Riley Kirk
As long as cannabis isn't causing harm to you, to your family, to your finances, to your life, in my opinion, it's okay to lean on the plant a little bit.
Dr. Riley Kirk
It's bananas to think about that people are still in prison for cannabis as we have this multi-billion dollar cannabis industry in our country.
Dr. Riley Kirk
The whole purpose of the system in our body... is to maintain balance in the body. So this is also called homeostasis or just balance in all of our different systems.
Dr. Riley Kirk
If you use too much cannabis, you also like might feel a little lightheaded or you might get to the point where you're not super motivated anymore. Instead, you kind of reach that point where you just want to chill out.
Dr. Riley Kirk
Dose yourself. Don't dose your animals.
Dr. Riley Kirk
1 Protocols
Titrating Cannabis Dose for Personalized Experience
Dr. Riley Kirk- Start with a low dose of cannabis.
- Observe how it makes you feel.
- Gradually increase the dose if needed, as you can always take more but cannot easily reel back.