Retrospective study: Medical cannabis reduces anxiety and depression

Published in the journal Psychiatry Research in July 2022, this study included over 7,000 adult Canadian patients clinically diagnosed with anxiety or depression.

The patients submitted validated questionnaires for anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) at their initial evaluation and at least one follow-up visit. The average age was about 50 years, and just over 50% were female.

The results showed statistically significant reductions for the standards used to evaluate anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9).

After one year, GAD-7 scores were reduced by more than 4. After 18 months, PHQ-9 scores were reduced by more than 5.

• "This study provides some evidence to support the effectiveness of medical cannabis as a treatment for anxiety and depression."

Unfortunately, the full text article is behind a pay wall. The article abstract is here at ScienceDirect.com.