Marijuana and OCD

Depending on someone’s specific OCD symptoms, they may find marijuana helpful in reducing symptoms.

Finding the right treatment option for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be challenging. When people turn to self-medication, they risk worsening their symptoms. Experimentally “treating” the symptoms of OCD with illicit drugs is never a safe option.

Marijuana, for example, is not exactly known for overdose potential or harsh side effects because they are usually minimal. However, when the drug is obtained in ways other than a prescription, like from a dealer off the street, there is no way to be certain of what is being taken or what may have been added to the drug.

Does Marijuana Help OCD?

The severity of OCD varies from person to person. In search of holistic remedies, many people wonder, “Does marijuana help with OCD?” Depending on someone’s specific OCD symptoms, they may find marijuana helpful in reducing symptoms.

Frequently, OCD co-occurs with anxiety and the need to control parts of life. Some people living with OCD struggle with marijuana use because it provides a feeling of limited control. However, other people have found the drug can create much-needed moments of peace and a temporary calming of anxiety. Essentially, further research on marijuana to treat anxiety disorders (and OCD) must be published to prove marijuana’s safety and effectiveness as a remedy.

If someone has a history of drug abuse, using marijuana, even medical marijuana, can lead to dangerous consequences like addiction, the use of additional illicit drugs for self-medication and reduced reaction time.

Medical Marijuana for OCD

For some patients, medical marijuana for OCD may be helpful in the same way that it has been effective for anxiety treatment. Instead of THC, medical marijuana contains a chemical called cannabidiol (CBD). It doesn’t have the same effects as non-medical marijuana. Instead, it can decrease someone’s paranoia or anxiety.

However, medical marijuana for OCD may not provide the desired effect for each patient. The severity of anxiety varies from mild to severe. One patient may experience anxiety and OCD differently than another patient who has OCD. Each OCD patient has unique experiences that activate their anxiety and leads to compulsive behavior. Because everyone experiences the disorder differently, their symptoms may react differently to medical marijuana.

Medical Marijuana and OCD Symptoms

Patients with OCD experience a variety of symptoms. Fortunately, medical marijuana can help with most of these symptoms, including:

• Impulsive behavior
• Repetitive behavior and thoughts
• Urges
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress and tension
• Social isolation

Medical marijuana may also help limit the unwanted side effects of certain OCD medications, such as:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Restlessness
• Weight loss
• Insomnia
• Agitation
• Abdominal cramps

The Recovery Village offers co-occurring disorder treatment by mental health professionals. If you or someone you know has a marijuana use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition, call The Recovery Village to speak to a representative and begin the recovery process.

Editor – Camille Renzoni

Cami Renzoni is a creative writer and editor for The Recovery Village. As an advocate for behavioral health, Cami is certified in mental health first aid and encourages people who face substance use disorders to ask for the help they deserve. Read more