The demand for CBD (cannabidiol) products has risen over the past few years, especially in the North American region. Whether it’s CBD in the form of edibles or just the raw form of cannabidiol, the surveys have revealed that 14%-33% of U.S. adults have consumed CBD in some form or chemical.
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The reason (as elaborated by the consumers) why CBD consumption has increased over the years is that people believe that it helps with certain health conditions like chronic pain, depression, and insomnia. But how much of that is actually true?
As of now, scientists have been studying how CBD helps with certain mental and physical health conditions like Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Although there is little evidence that CBD helps with anxiety, very little research has been done in that area. To give you a better overview, we have written this detailed article to discuss whether CBD helps with anxiety and what type of research or studies have backed up this fact.
What is CBD and how does it affect anxiety?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the major compounds found in cannabis plants. Quite often, the cannabidiol products you might find on the market have THC in them, which creates a high-like effect. However, the pure form of cannabidiol does not produce intoxication (high-like) effects.
In this regard, scientists are interested to learn about CBD anxiety relief effects since cannabidiol leaves effects on the brain that help to relieve stress, fear, and anxiety, without causing strong side effects such as those experienced by THC or related drugs.
Here is how cannabidiol interacts with the brain:
- Interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which helps to regulate mood, stress, and response to fear.
- Modulates the serotonin receptors (especially 5-HT1A), which are directly related to mood and anxiety.
- Cannabidiol directly affects those parts of the brain that respond to fear, such as the hippocampus.
- According to NCBI’s research, CBD also has anti-inflammatory effects which can reduce neuroinflammation associated with stress and anxiety.
In the light of biology, cannabidiol can provide relief from anxiety. However, these effects are not evidence to support the fact that CBD helps with anxiety. Therefore, let’s look at some of the studies.
Does CBD help with Anxiety? Research and Studies
Anxiety is a common condition caused due to intense stress or overthinking, which is why it is sometimes labelled as a medical condition or disease. To support the fact that any sort of substance cures a disease or medical condition, it is important to back it up with studies, experimentation, and research.
Preclinical Animal Studies
Some studies and experiments conducted on animals have shown that CBD has anxiolytic-like effects. For example, when rodents are placed in anxiety-enabling conditions, a moderate dose of CBD is administered to them. As a result, it was noticed that stress was reduced in them, which was visible physically and behaviorally. These effects persisted based on the NCI research, and CBD consumption performed well.
Dosage of CBD in Animals
Another important factor to note is that the dosage matters too when it comes to affecting anxiety with CBD in animals. Some animals showed a bell-shaped response to a certain dose. In simple words, it means that a low dose of CBD was not very effective in reducing anxiety in animals.
At the same time, a very high dose is also ineffective on anxiety in animals or worsens the anxiety effects even more. However, a moderate and consistent dose was helpful to reduce anxiety as a result of experimentation done on animals.
Human Studies on CBD Helping with Anxiety
Over the years, CBD’s effect on anxiety has been tested quite a few times with long-term trials. However, the results are promising with evidence that shows promising signals:
Acute Anxiety in Healthy People
In some experiments, CBD has been used for treating acute anxiety, which can be caused during public speaking or similar situations. In such cases, a mild dosage of CBD for anxiety (300-600 mg) can be consumed by healthy subjects.
People Already Suffering from Anxiety
Results and effects regarding CBD in anxiety-induced individuals are mixed but promising, as mentioned below:
- In a clinical trial conducted on 14 different anxiety patients (having moderate to full anxiety spectrum) high-CBD sublingual solution for four weeks experienced significant improvement in anxiety, mood, sleep, and quality of life.
- In a large case experiment series, the subjects developed tolerance against CBD while showing possible benefits against anxiety-related disorders.
- A clinical trial was performed on women suffering from advanced breast cancer who had scan-related anxiety. Consumption of CBD at a 400 mg oral dose reduced the effects of anxiety as compared to a placebo within 2 to 4 hours. However, the primary endpoint was not met (change pre vs post in the two arms). Still, the result indicates that CBD oil for anxiety or CBD for stress and anxiety may help a little bit for some individuals who suffer.
Surveys Performed on CBD Helping with Anxiety
Many people have been consuming CBD products for anxiety relief, which is why they are repeatedly attached or somewhat addicted to these products. A study performed in 2024 with 267 individuals who suffered from anxiety revealed that more than 40% of these individuals experienced anxiety relief from CBD. And overall, more than 70% felt like CBD actually had an effect on their body or mental health.
Recent Reviews from Consumers
Reviews are typically fake, or they actually come from frequent consumers. In conclusion, these reviews from the consumers revealed that CBD helps with anxiety, but most of these self-reviews were preliminary.
These reviews are usually based on small sample sizes, short-duration consumptions, and inconsistent consumption from different sorts of products. At the same time, studies and experimentation on chronic anxiety suffering individuals still lack.
What is the Evidence on CBD Helping with Anxiety?
Many consumers believe the word of mouth when it comes to the fact that CBD helps with anxiety and other mental health issues. However, there has been very little research and studies on the effect of CBD on anxiety as compared to other medicines and their effects on mental health (including the fake medicines called placebos).
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As we discussed earlier, more than a dozen studies have taken place on animals over the past 3 years that revealed CBD dependency can reduce the effects or symptoms that are usually experienced due to anxiety.
On the other hand, some studies have been conducted on humans that showed similar results that can be labelled as evidence for CBD helping with anxiety. Here are some of the snippets from the studies conducted on CBD’s effect on relieving anxiety:
- According to a study conducted on teenagers suffering from social media anxiety, CBD was more effective than a placebo to provide relief.
- Another study in 2022 revealed that young individuals who were not experiencing any relief from their medicine while suffering from anxiety added CBD consumption to their dosage, which helped them deal with anxiety effects.
- An experiment was conducted based on the consumption of CBD and other cannabis related products, which revealed that during the first phase of this experiment, cannabidiol based medicine eased the symptoms in the first 4 weeks.
More than a dozen studies are still underway to demonstrate the effects of CBD on anxiety. Some individuals involved in these studies are suffering from anxiety disorders. Other individuals are those who suffer from anxiety caused by other diseases like cancer.
As for now, CBD is still under the radar of the FDA and DEA. At the same time, doctors cannot conclude if CBD helps with anxiety relief. Scientifically, cannabidiol affects more than 65 receptors in your brain, out of which some can affect the levels of serotonin.
For those who don’t know, serotonin is a brain chemical that controls your mood. Various other medicines that are used to treat anxiety directly target the serotonin levels in the brain, which helps individuals suffering from anxiety to calm down. However, any medication or compound that affects levels of serotonin in the body can also have effects on other pathways of the brain.
CBD for Anxiety: What Still Needs to Be Studied?
Besides the studies and experimentations performed on CBD and its relief for anxiety, there are still a lot of questions and concerns that need to be addressed such as:
Dosage
There are no clear guidelines on how much CBD consumption can help to relieve anxiety. The studies or experiments conducted with CBD oil or other products feature varying dosages for every individual. From tens of milligrams (as a mild dosage) to hundreds of milligrams (for acute anxiety) have been used in the studies, which vary based on age, gender, condition, and other factors among individuals.
Long-term Effects
Many studies conducted on CBD’s effects on anxiety are just short-term. There is no evidence regarding safe use of CBD for long-term treatment to treat anxiety. For example, if someone consumes CBD for anxiety, will they face any side effects, changes in mood, cognition disorders, or dependencies etc. This is why more investigation is required in this area as well.
Formulations of CBD
For anxiety relief, it is still not clear which form of cannabidiol (oil, tincture, pills, drops, etc.) is more effective and how effective. The same goes for bioavailability and how fast CBD affects the reaction to the symptoms of anxiety.
Reaction with Other Substances
Let’s say that someone suffering from anxiety is a smoker, alcoholic, or takes any other sort of medication on a regular basis. In such cases, there is still a need for experimentation about how CBD reacts with other substances, compounds, or medications.
Variations Among Individuals
It is true that some studies have been conducted on humans and animals, but there were no specific age groups, gender, or patients with existing psychiatric conditions among these studies. In simple words, a study needs to be conducted on how CBD affects anxiety among people of a certain age, gender, or medical condition.
Is CBD Oil Helpful to Treat Anxiety Practically?
Many speculations have revealed that CBD oil or cannabidiol tinctures help with treating anxiety more effectively as they dissolve in the human body quickly. Here is what we know about these CBD oils based on factual studies and experimentation:
- CBD Oils/tinctures/drops are common, and they are consumed by putting a few drops under the tongue (sublingual) so the dose absorbs quickly.
- On the other hand, pills and capsules are consistent, but show the effects slowly.
- CBD oils and CBD tinctures are both liquid but different from each other. CBD tinctures are consumed orally, while CBD oils are used for massage to relieve pain in joints and muscles
- Vaping or inhalation gives fast action, but may carry respiratory risks.
- Full-spectrum vs isolate: Full-spectrum CBD oils contain other cannabinoids, terpenes, etc., which might contribute to an “entourage effect” (synergistic benefit). Some trials with full-spectrum products show benefits at lower doses.
What Dose of CBD is Safe to Consume?
Since there are a lot of variations in the forms of CBD, it is safe to consume CBD in low dosage and then increase the intake consistently but gradually, only if the body develops tolerance against the current dosage.
According to the experimentations and studies we mentioned earlier, the oral dose of CBD in 300 to 600mg helps acutely with anxiety. But this is still a high dose, which can cause side effects and can be costly for some consumers to treat mild anxiety, especially if it occurs often.
Onset and Duration of CBD on Anxiety
- Acute effects of CBD are observed within 1 to 2 hours of consuming CBD in a single dose.
- For chronic anxiety disorders, benefits may accumulate from days to weeks. However, there is still a need for deep study in this regard.
- Many CBD consumers have also reported that CBD helped with sleep, mood, and ability to handle stressful situations more effectively over time.
Is CBD Safe for Treating Anxiety?
As of now, CBD products and medications are only approved for treating certain types of disorders and seizures. According to the WHO, CBD is only safe to treat anxiety if it is consumed in a safe dosage and not abused, as it is an addictive substance.
At the same time, CBD has anti-seizure properties, but it is still not approved by the FDA to regulate for regular consumption. In simple words, this means that the government does not approve that any product that contains CBD is safe to consume, even if the manufacturer claims that it does.
Manufacturers are not allowed to market CBD or CBD-related products as medicines, dietary supplements, or food additives. Unfortunately, almost every manufacturer or distributor labels cannabidiol related products as safe to consume. For safe consumption, here are some things you should keep in mind before consuming CBD for anxiety:
- The amount of CBD mentioned on the label of the product, dietary supplement, or medication may or may not contain the same percentage in reality.
- Any CBD product containing more than 0.3% of THC is considered legal as per the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act in the United States.
- Any CBD product that is manufactured without government oversight can be contaminated.
- Studies have been conducted on CBD’s treatment for anxiety, but there is no exact amount, dosage, or limitation for its consumption that is considered safe for anxiety relief.
What are the Possible Side Effects of CBD on the Human Body?
Clinical trials have been conducted on animals and humans to understand the side effects of CBD when consumed in an irregular manner or high dosage. Here are some of the known side effects of CBD that you should be aware of:
- Sleepiness
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Crankiness and other mood changes
- Liver damage
- Male infertility
Cannabidiol can react with other medications in your body or can change the way other medicines affect your body, which can result in dangerous side effects. Some of the medications that should never be used while consuming CBD include antibiotics, antidepressants, cholesterol medicines, and blood thinners.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that CBD does help with anxiety, but it depends on a number of factors. The studies and clinical trials conducted on various individual groups reveal different sorts of results over a variable timeline. This is why the scientists cannot give a verdict on whether CBD is safe to treat anxiety.
More studies, clinical trials, and long-term experimentation need to be conducted in order to conclude that CBD is safe to get relief from anxiety. Any substance or medicine is only approved to treat any disorder or medication when it is approved by the FDA.
Moreover, Cannabidiol and cannabis related compounds are still under the radar of the DEA due to their addictive properties. Even if you wish to try, start slow and make sure that you do not mix CBD with any other medication or addictive substance.
FAQs
What type of CBD is best for treating anxiety?
Many consumers prefer CBD tinctures since they act quickly upon consumption, right after being placed under the tongue. On the other hand, pills and capsules are the most popular choice as they provide consistent and slower relief, which is preferred by many consumers.
What dose of CBD is safe for anxiety?
There is no universal CBD dose defined that treats anxiety. According to some clinical trials, 25 mg per day up to 600 mg in a single dose is good enough to treat anxiety. Still, it is recommended to start with a low dose of 10 to 25 mg and then increase gradually if that does not help.
How quickly does CBD help to relieve anxiety?
According to some cannabidiol consumers, CBD helps with anxiety within 1 to 2 hours of consumption, especially for acute anxiety. To treat the long-term anxiety issues, consumers may have to take CBD for several days for the enduring effects.
Are there any side effects of using CBD for anxiety?
Yes, though most are mild. Reported side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, digestive issues, and fatigue. High doses can affect liver enzymes and may interact with other medications. Always consult a doctor if you’re on prescription drugs.
Can CBD replace prescription anxiety medications?
Not yet. While CBD shows promise, it shouldn’t replace proven treatments like therapy or SSRIs without medical guidance. Some people use CBD alongside standard treatments, but this should be done under professional supervision.
What’s the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil for anxiety?
CBD oil is extracted specifically for cannabidiol content. Hemp oil (from hemp seeds) contains little to no CBD and is mainly used as a dietary supplement or for skin health. For anxiety, CBD oil is the active choice.
