Anxiety before surgery is very common – 1 in 4 patients may cancel elective surgery from fear of the general anesthesia alone! While it’s enticing, marijuana is NOT the answer to calming nerves before surgery and anesthesia.

Marijuana increases heart rate and can increase the risk of heart attacks during surgery under anesthesia. It can also increase the risk of breathing problems, like laryngospasm. It also significantly increases anesthesia requirements, which may theoretically increase the risk of anesthesia awareness. That’s also known as “being awake for surgery.”

Fortunately, there are many alternatives to cannabis, or marijuana, for anxiety control before surgery and anesthesia. Most are much safer!