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Cannabis FAQ: How does cannabis affect your emotions?

happy guy wearing a bonnet

Article written by

April AcernoContent Writer

Content reviewed by

Deborah Garcia DNP FNP-BCMedical Reviewer

Table of contents

  1. Why does weed make you emotional?
  2. Does weed numb emotions?
  3. Can weed make you angry?
  4. Do true feelings come out when high?
  5. Does weed ruin your mood?
  6. Resources

Compounds in cannabis, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), interact with receptors in your brain that can affect your emotions. As a result, some people notice mood changes after using cannabis, such as euphoria, relaxation, or anxiety.

The relationship between cannabis and emotions is complex. It’s also influenced by many factors, including your overall mental health and the cannabis dosage used. 

Find out how cannabis can affect your emotions, and why these effects can be different for everyone.

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Why does weed make you emotional?

Some people experience strong emotions after using cannabis, such as euphoria or sadness. For others, using cannabis can dampen certain emotions — or have no impact on their emotions at all.

Emotional state is a complex brain function that is constantly changing. The emotions you may feel after using cannabis can vary based on your:

  • Emotional state prior to using cannabis
  • Circumstances and environment at the time of use
  • Overall mental health
  • Cannabis dosage
  • Cannabis strain
  • Length and frequency of use 

Researchers still have a lot to learn about how cannabis affects human emotions. For now, we do know that the way cannabis can impact your emotions has a lot to do with the plant’s cannabinoids.  

Cannabinoids refer to certain cannabis compounds, including THC and CBD, which affect your body’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps regulate certain functions in the brain, such as:

  • Emotions
  • Mood
  • Stress
  • Focus
  • Memory
  • Motivation
  • Energy levels

Euphoria is a commonly reported effect of cannabis. It’s thought that certain cannabinoids, including THC, may stimulate the release of mood-boosting brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine.

How does cannabis affect fear and stress?

Cannabinoid receptors are found in the amygdala, a part of the brain that processes emotions. The amygdala also manages fear response.

Research is limited on how cannabis interacts with the amygdala. Findings from one small human study suggest that THC may lower fear response by interacting with receptors in the amygdala.

However, this study included only 16 male participants. Larger, more diverse studies are needed to confirm this effect in a wider population.

It’s also important to note that THC, especially in high doses, may contribute to anxiety and paranoia in some people.

Cannabinoid receptors are also in the body’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps regulate stress. When THC interacts with the HPA axis, especially at high levels, it can intensify the stress response.

One review notes that cannabis may help with stress management, but long-term use may diminish this effect over time. Another small study of 42 individuals found that long-term cannabis use may shift how the body responds to stress.

Findings from a survey of 852 cannabis users found that people with underlying emotional dysregulation may be more likely to develop a dependency on cannabis, especially when they go through high levels of stress.

However, more studies in larger groups are still needed to fully understand how cannabis affects fear, stress, and other emotions.  

Does weed numb emotions?

Some people report that using cannabis can “numb” their emotions. But there’s little research explaining why cannabis may dampen certain emotions.

One small study of 14 regular cannabis users found that long-term use may lead to a decreased dopamine response. Dopamine plays a role in the brain’s reward system, which drives motivation and pleasure.

Some research has found that low dopamine levels can lead to anhedonia, or the inability to find pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Anhedonia may lead to feelings of apathy and emotional numbness.

Other research suggests that depersonalization can be a side effect of cannabis use, especially among people with anxiety disorders. Depersonalization is a mental health condition that can cause:

  • Emotional numbness
  • Detachment from one’s thoughts, body, or surroundings
  • Difficulty focusing and making decisions

Still, more studies are needed to understand how and why cannabis may dampen certain emotions.

Can weed make you angry?

It’s possible to feel anger after consuming cannabis.

While many people use cannabis to relax, some may feel anger, irritability, or anxiety with use — especially at high doses.

There’s little research on why this happens, or whether feeling angry prior to cannabis use makes this side effect more likely.

Do true feelings come out when high?

It’s not clear if being high on cannabis makes your true feelings show.

Similar to alcohol, cannabis can lower your inhibitions and make you more likely to express your deep thoughts and feelings.

That said, cannabis also affects how your brain processes feelings. Therefore, the emotions you feel while high may not reflect your usual feelings.

Does weed ruin your mood?

Cannabis can affect mood in different ways.

Some people may feel relaxed or happy. Others may experience irritability, anxiety, or paranoia — especially at higher doses. It’s also possible for cannabis to have no effect at all on your mood.

So its effects are often unpredictable, and can vary from person to person.

If you’re worried about cannabis negatively affecting your mood, consider these tips:

  • Start low and go slow: The effects of cannabis may vary depending on your dose. Try starting with a low dose, like 3 to 5 milligrams (mg) THC or CBD. Then, increase it gradually until you achieve the desired therapeutic benefit.
  • Keep a journal: Your mood may be more affected by certain cannabis products, strains, or dosage levels. Keeping a journal can help you monitor how these factors affect your mood. 

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