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Of patients had lower anxiety scores after the first month in a large CBD anxiety and sleep case series. The Permanente Journal
Average anxiety and stress ratings fell after inhaled cannabis use in a large app-based observational study. Journal of Cannabis Research
People worldwide were living with an anxiety disorder in 2021. World Health Organization
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
What is anxiety?
Fear, worry and unease are natural reactions to stressful situations. For some people, however, anxiety is more than a passing feeling and continues even when there is no clear trigger.
When symptoms persist, they can affect sleep, concentration, relationships and the ability to work. Anxiety often overlaps with low mood, and the impact on daily life can be as important as the symptoms themselves.
Recognising the impact
Common anxiety symptoms
The experience varies from person to person. Symptoms may be constant or come in episodes, and can be physical as well as emotional.
- Persistent worry, fear or a sense of dread
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
- Rapid heartbeat, sweating or trembling
- Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety
- Fatigue and irritability
If you are struggling to cope, you are not alone If anxiety feels overwhelming, or you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out for support straight away. You can call the Samaritans free on 116 123, contact your GP, or call NHS 111. This is not something to manage through an online eligibility form. Contact NHS 111, your GP or emergency services as appropriate.
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
NICE recommends a stepped approach using therapy and, where needed, medication. Standard options include:
- Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- SSRIs such as sertraline, paroxetine or escitalopram
- SNRIs such as duloxetine or venlafaxine
- Pregabalin for generalised anxiety in some cases
- Short-term benzodiazepines only where clinically appropriate
- Self-help, lifestyle and stress-management support
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If anxiety symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with anxiety symptoms?
Recognised therapies and medicines are used first. Where anxiety symptoms continue to affect daily life, a specialist may consider whether medical cannabis is appropriate, after careful mental-health screening.
Research into medical cannabis and anxiety is still ongoing. THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network involved in regulating mood, sleep and the stress response.
For adults whose diagnosed anxiety still affects sleep, work or relationships after recognised options, a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can review whether a carefully selected prescription may be suitable.
Where anxiety continues to affect daily life after standard options have been tried, a doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can consider your individual situation, weighing the potential benefits and how treatment is best tailored to you. Effects vary from person to person, which is why specialist guidance matters.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Developing evidence
Evidence for cannabis-based medicines in anxiety is still developing and mixed. CBD-predominant approaches are studied differently from THC, which can worsen anxiety in some people, so individual review matters.
- Talking therapies such as CBT and SSRIs are recommended first-line by NICE.
- THC can increase anxiety or affect mood in some people, so suitability is screened carefully.
- Any decision follows a full review of history, current medicines and psychiatric risk.
Related support
Explore related anxiety support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
Anxiety FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Can medical cannabis treat anxiety?
For some people, medical cannabis may help with anxiety symptoms when standard options have not provided enough relief. A specialist assesses your individual situation to decide whether a prescription is clinically appropriate, as effects can vary from person to person.
Is cannabis legal in the UK?
Prescription cannabis-based products for medicinal use have had a legal prescribing route in the UK since 1 November 2018. Recreational cannabis remains illegal, and a legal medicine must be prescribed for you and used exactly as directed.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Do I need a GP referral?
No GP referral is needed to start an eligibility check. Sharing your medical records helps the specialist review your history and current medicines, and we can keep your GP informed if you wish.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.