Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders

Summary & key facts

This systematic review looked at human studies of cannabidiol (CBD) for anxiety up to June 2019. Eight studies were included (6 small randomized controlled trials, 1 case series, and 1 case report). The studies tested CBD for anxiety in healthy volunteers, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and PTSD-related anxiety. Doses varied a lot (6 mg to 400 mg) and CBD was given as capsules or a sublingual spray. Several anxiety measures showed improved outcomes and CBD was usually well tolerated, with fatigue and sedation most often reported. The authors said the findings are promising but that larger, more standardized studies are needed to know the right dose and how well CBD wo

Key facts:

• The authors searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from database start through June 2019.
• Eight human studies met the review criteria: 6 randomized controlled trials, 1 case series, and 1 case report.
• The included studies examined CBD for anxiety in healthy volunteers, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and the anxiety component of PTSD.
• No studies meeting the review criteria were found for panic disorder, specific phobia, separation anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Reported CBD doses in the included studies ranged from 6 mg to 400 mg per dose.
• CBD was administered orally as a capsule or as a sublingual spray, either alone or as an add-on to other therapy.
• According to the review, various anxiety rating scales in the studies showed improved clinical outcomes with CBD.
• CBD was generally well tolerated in the studies; the most commonly noted adverse effects were fatigue and sedation.
• The authors concluded CBD has a promising role as an alternative therapy for anxiety but emphasized the need for more studies with standardized dosing and outcome measures to determine appropriate dosing and its place in treatment.

Abstract

CBD has a promising role as alternative therapy in the management of anxiety disorders. However, more studies with standardized approaches to dosing and clinical outcome measurements are needed to determine the appropriate dosing strategy for CBD and its place in therapy.

Topics

Bipolar Disorder and Treatment Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Anxiety Anxiety disorder Anxiolytic Cannabidiol Cannabis Clinical psychology Generalized anxiety disorder Internal medicine Medicine Panic disorder Psychiatry Randomized controlled trial Social anxiety