Medical Cannabis Study Seeks to Discover the Perfect CBD:THC Ratio for Anxiety Relief

A new study is set to examine the use of cannabis for anxiety. The collaborative effort between CannaMD, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Releaf App aims to pinpoint the perfect ratio of cannabinoids for anxiety relief.

Recognized as one of the biggest networks of medical marijuana physicians in Florida, CannaMD is right at the forefront of cannabis research. The company has curated numerous research efforts in the past, including investigations into cannabis for Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Statistics published by the Florida Department of Health indicate that there are over 645,000 active patients who are currently eligible to receive medicinal cannabis across the state. Some of the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis patients in Florida include anxiety, cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, seizures, PTSD, and Parkinson’s disease.

Cannabis for Anxiety: What Are Cannabinoids?

In spite of the fact that numerous peer-reviewed clinical trials have shown cannabis to be a powerful anxiolytic—such as this study featured in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research—less research has been carried out on the ideal ratios of cannabinoids for anxiety.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are produced naturally by the cannabis plant. There are more than 100 of them, with the most commonly known/researched being THC and CBD. However, future research efforts are expected to tell us more about other cannabinoids, such as:

• THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin)
• CBDV (cannabidivarin)
• CBG (cannabigerol)
• CBC (cannabichromene)

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Occasional anxiety is something that most of us deal with, whether it stems from work-related stress or getting stuck in a traffic jam when in a rush. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, cause a lot more than just temporary fears or worries. In fact, someone who fails to seek treatment for a diagnosed anxiety disorder may notice that their symptoms intensify over time.

Approximately 31% of people living in the U.S. will experience disordered anxiety at some stage of their life, and the mental health condition tends to affect women more than men. Symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, and trembling, can interfere with day-to-day activities, including relationships, work-related tasks, sleep, and overall performance.

Anxiety is not limited to just one type of disorder. Examples of some of the most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and some phobia-related disorders. SAD affects the highest percentage of U.S. adults at 12%.

Studying Cannabis for Anxiety

Patient-reported experiences will be assessed as part of this study on cannabis for anxiety. Each participant will share their experience after consuming medicinal-grade cannabis purchased from a handful of Florida’s licensed dispensaries.

The Releaf App—a smartphone application developed by MoreBetter—will be used over a 45-day period by the participants, all of whom will be asked to answer questions regarding their experiences with anxiety and cannabis use. Specifically, each respondent will input information about their cannabis consumption habits, their level of symptomatic relief, and any experienced side effects.

The aim is to find at least 1,000 certified Florida medical cannabis patients to participate in the study. Eligible study subjects could be on the receiving end of a $250 Amazon gift card for their involvement. Visit CannaMD’s website to learn more or to register for a chance at participating.

About the Releaf App

MoreBetter Ltd. is a creative agency devoted to designing and developing technological tools that can be harnessed to improve quality of life. Releaf App was officially released by the company in mid-2016 with the primary goal of assisting patients in understanding how to integrate cannabis into their daily routine effectively.

The MoreBetter team felt inspired to launch the cannabis smartphone application after learning about one of their partner’s mother’s uphill battle with chronic pain. Thanks to the app’s unique design, patients can monitor the personal suitability of marijuana strains and chemotypes for a diverse list of common medical problems in real-time.

Technologies from MoreBetter are often relied on by healthcare experts, researchers, and cannabis product creators who wish to gather data on the consumer-reported effects of cannabis and CBD. Find out more by visiting releafapp.com or, alternatively, download the app directly to your phone.