Fear of flying, spiders, snakes, or even a panic attack, or being alone at home or stuck in an elevator... There are many types of fears or phobias. The problem arises when fear stops being a reaction and becomes a prison. In this case, seeking relief paths, such as medicinal cannabis, becomes urgent.

Recent research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), components of medicinal cannabis, have the potential to help in the treatment of phobias and traumas by modulating fear memories and enabling a new approach to disorders that steal the peace of those living with them.

Paths to confront fear

Phobias go far beyond common nervousness. They can trigger avoidance behaviors that can paralyze daily life. A study from the University of Michigan (2013) showed that the synthetic use of THC (dronabinol) helped human participants in fear extinction paradigms, reducing reactions over time.

These findings open up space for important reflections in the Brazilian context. In the field of complementary treatments, psychologists and psychiatrists see cannabinoid compounds as promising tools for cases of phobia or PTSD, especially when conventional therapies such as psychotherapy, antidepressants, or anxiolytics are not sufficient or lead to significant side effects.

Learn More

Patient uses cannabis to deal with symptoms of anxiety, fear, nervousness, and social discomfort

Cannabis, anxiety, and its complex relationships

However, there are still regulatory and safety challenges: while Anvisa already allows the medicinal use of CBD, THC remains subject to stricter restrictions. Therefore, it is essential to establish clear dosing protocols, identify patient profiles, and monitor any potential adverse effects.

CBD and THC: allies in the challenge of erasing fear memories

More than just medications, caring for patients dealing with traumas also involves psychology. Although psychologists do not prescribe substances, they can walk alongside patients, helping them deal with fear, supporting them during exposure therapies, and working together with doctors to ensure that the treatment is comprehensive and humanized.

The psychologist Lauro Pontes, Ph.D. in Psychology and specialist in therapeutic cannabis, explains that cannabidiol (CBD) plays a fundamental role in this process. “CBD facilitates memory extinction by acting on the limbic prefrontal pathways, promoting neuroplasticity, and regulating neurotransmitters involved in trauma processing. It also modulates serotonin receptors, such as 5-HT1A, which helps regulate anxiety,” he details.

Pontes also highlights the role that THC plays in the extinction of traumatic memories and how it can act directly on the CB1 receptors of the hippocampus and cerebral amygdala, helping reduce the impact of these memories. "In low doses, it can be very effective. I joke that it would be interesting to have a 5 mg THC nasal spray in SAMU ambulances, to be applied to stabilized patients shortly after trauma, as this could decrease the impact of fear memory from the beginning,” he points out.

Despite the enthusiasm, he emphasizes the importance of caution: “The challenge lies in the dosage: THC has a biphasic effect, it can be anxiolytic or anxiogenic depending on the dose. Therefore, the ideal is well-controlled use and in association with CBD. In summary: CBD plays a significant role in this process, but the key differential for the extinction of traumatic memories comes from THC, when well dosed”.

Paths to make treatment accessible, safe, and conscious

The future of this field involves encouraging clinical trials in Brazil that test the use of THC and CBD in people with different types and intensities of phobia, evaluating the safety and efficacy of the compounds in association with exposure therapies. Currently, there are already Brazilian studies evaluating CBD in patients with social anxiety disorder, showing a growing interest from national science in this topic.

In the realm of public policies, the challenge is to ensure safe and equal access to approved treatments. In São Paulo, for example, the public health system recently expanded the provision of cannabidiol, responding to the growing demand: in 2024, around 672 thousand Brazilians were undergoing treatment with medicinal cannabis. Nevertheless, obstacles such as high costs and bureaucracy still hinder universal access.

Therefore, it is essential to provide clear, empathetic, and accessible information to people living with phobia or trauma, so that treatment decisions are conscious, integrated with clinical psychology, and always aligned with their goals, risks, and limits.