The Anxiety Pen- A New Tool in the Fight Against Anxiety?

Anxiety is a real and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While many traditional treatments are available, some people are looking for new and innovative ways to combat their anxiety.

Enter the anxiety pen.

Anxiety Pen Types

An anxiety pen is a tool used by some people to cope with anxiety. There are two main types of pens:

Pens that are very similar to vapes, containing Cannabidiol (CBD)
Pens that emit a soft light, spray essential oils, have breathing timers, fidget spinners, or some other function to promote relaxation and/or distraction.

CBD Vape

CBD vapes are one of the most popular ways to consume CBD. They work by heating a cartridge of CBD oil and inhaling the vapour. This allows the CBD to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

There is some evidence that CBD may reduce anxiety (1, 2). But there are many scientific knowledge gaps on this topic (3, 4).

While it may be a promising treatment option, a vape will never teach you practical stress and anxiety management strategies. Skill development is still the best way to address the underlying causes of anxiety for longer-term benefits.

Pens With Benefits?

There is little, if any, scientific evaluation of the second type of anxiety pen. In general, distraction is not an effective long-term strategy as it may promote avoidance of difficult psychological states. Avoidance prevents you from understanding, tolerating, and developing effective responses to stress and anxiety. For any strategy to be truly successful, it must bring long-term reductions in anxiety, not just give you a short burst of relief.

Why Anxiety Pens?

Anxiety pens offer portability and ease of use. Smoking a vape or watching a light beam is easy and requires no learning and practice.

However, long-term reductions in anxiety always entail effort and practice. You just can’t get around this fact. Commitment and practice are required for the development of any life skill. People accept that good physical fitness doesn’t appear from nowhere.

You must spend time exercising, preparing healthy food, and taking other steps to protect yourself (e.g., brushing your teeth).

Summary

Vape pens may help manage anxiety symptoms in the short run, but we have more to learn about this tool. There is a real lack of evidence for other types of anxiety pens. Even if we discover that all anxiety pens bring benefits, they will never help you develop psychological skills that bring long-term success.

Don’t be tempted by shortcuts. Instead, consider investing time and effort into developing psychological thinking and skills. You will receive years of benefits to your well-being as a result.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is one great option for anxiety management. You can also try additional techniques on the Skills Videos page.

Anxiety Pen: Think before you grab