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Dr. Cannabis

Social anxiety

Anxiety in social or performance situations. Limited evidence for CBD specifically — and THC often makes anxiety worse.

Limited evidenceWeak evidence from fair-quality studies, or mixed findings.

What the evidence says

NASEM 2017: limited evidence for CBD improving anxiety symptoms in a public-speaking test in social anxiety disorder. NASEM also found moderate evidence associating regular cannabis use with increased incidence of social anxiety disorder.

The one positive anxiety finding in NASEM is narrow: limited evidence that cannabidiol improves anxiety symptoms as assessed by a public speaking test in people with social anxiety disorder. That is CBD, in a specific test, in a specific diagnosis.

THC is a different story and the direction matters. Low doses often reduce anxiety; higher doses reliably increase it. NASEM separately found moderate evidence that regular cannabis use is associated with increased incidence of social anxiety disorder — an association, not proof of causation, but not a comfortable one either.

If anxiety is the primary problem, CBD-dominant products with little or no THC are the defensible starting point.

What to ask for

This is a starting point, not a prescription. Take it to a licensed dispensary and ask to see the batch certificate of analysis.

Suggested ratio
CBD-dominant, minimal or no THC
Starting THC dose
None — CBD-led approach
Commonly chosen profile
CBD-dominant
Time of day
either

Cannabinoids

  • CBD

    Non-intoxicating. The only cannabis-derived compound with an FDA-approved medicine behind it, and the cannabinoid most often used to soften THC.

Terpenes to look for

Commonly present in products people choose for this. Terpene effect claims are preclinical — this is a way to find a product again, not a promise about how it will feel.

  • Limonene

    Bright citrus, lemon and orange rind

  • Linalool

    Floral, lavender, slightly spicy

Formats

  • TinctureOnset 15–90 min · lasts 4–8 h

    Liquid extract dosed by dropper. The most precise way to titrate an oral dose in small increments.

  • CapsuleOnset 30–120 min · lasts 6–8 h

    Swallowed softgel or capsule. Behaves like an edible with pharmacy-style consistency.

Get a personalised starting point

Answer four questions and we will adjust the dose for your experience level and find licensed dispensaries near you.

Get guidance

Talk to a doctor if

  • • Anxiety is stopping you working or seeing people
  • • You have had a panic attack
  • • Cannabis has made your anxiety worse before
  • • You have a personal or family history of psychosis

Related conditions

Sources

  1. NASEM 2017, Committee Conclusions (summary PDF of all evidence-tier conclusions).Accessed 2026-08-15.
  2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Cannabis (Marijuana). Updated 2024-09-24.Accessed 2026-08-15.