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Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of several cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant. It is a non-psychoactive compound that may help treat anxiety and various other conditions.
Anxiety disorders are the most prominent mental health conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives. CBD is an increasingly popular method for managing anxiety symptoms.
Keep reading to learn about the relationship between CBD and anxiety, including research into benefits, how to use, risks and safety, and CBD products to try for different anxiety symptoms.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
The growing legalization of medical cannabis in the U.S. has prompted many scientists to study the various therapeutic uses of cannabis and CBD, including in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 19.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year, and more women experience anxiety than men.
According to a 2015 review, CBD interacts with the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R), the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, and other receptors in the brain that regulate fear and anxiety-induced behaviors.
The authors of the review also found preclinical and clinical evidence that established CBD as an effective treatment for numerous types of anxiety disorders, including:
In a more recent 2020 study, researchers evaluated CBD’s effects on 397 adults living in New Zealand. The study participants received medical CBD prescriptions for various ailments, including non-cancer pain, cancer-related symptoms, neurological symptoms, and mental health symptoms.
All groups reported improvements in their overall quality of life after 3 weeks of CBD treatment. The individuals who received CBD treatment for anxiety or depression reportedly experienced improvements in their ability to perform daily functions and reduce pain and anxiety or depression symptoms.
Learn more about using CBD for depression here.
70% of study participants reported some level of satisfaction with CBD treatment, ranging from good to excellent. Only 9.9% of participants experienced adverse side effects, such as sedation and vivid dreams. A smaller portion of the study population (0.8%) reported worsening symptoms.
In a retrospective study, researchers evaluated the effects of CBD treatment in 72 adults with either anxiety or sleep problems.
Most study participants received one 25-milligram capsule of CBD once a day (mg/d). A few participants received 50 or 75 mg/d. One individual with a history of trauma and schizoaffective disorder received up to 175 mg/d.
After the first 2 months of CBD treatment, 78.1–79.2% of participants reported improvements in anxiety symptoms. However, 15.3–19.5% of participants developed worse symptoms after CBD treatment.
The authors of one 2020 article reviewed eight studies investigating CBD’s role in treating various anxiety disorders.
The authors found evidence to support the use of CBD as an effective monotherapy or complementary therapy for treating generalized anxiety, SAD, and PTSD.
Learn more about using CBD for PTSD here.
However, the studies showed considerable variation in CBD doses, ranging from 6-400 mg per dose. This variation highlights the need for more high quality, large-scale clinical trials to help establish standardized dosing and clinical usage guidelines for CBD therapy.
Researchers and healthcare professionals have yet to establish standardized dosing recommendations for CBD therapy.
In a 2019 study, researchers found 300–600 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in 57 adult males.
The ideal dosage for an individual to relieve anxiety depends on the CBD product, how they administer it, and personal health factors.
CBD administration methods include:
The administration method determines how quickly cannabinoids begin taking effect.
The effects of orally administered CBD, such as oils, edibles (such as gummies), or capsules, generally begin working within 30 minutes to 2 hours. Smoking or vaping CBD oil or cannabis buds results in more immediate effects.
People can use oral CBD products to relieve anxiety throughout the day. It may help to take these products in the morning with some food.
Smoking or vaping CBD oil can provide immediate relaxation that may help people during especially stressful events, such as giving a speech.
Learn more about safe CBD dosage here.
The table below outlines some key terminology that may help people considering using CBD for anxiety:
Read more about terminology and other important CBD information here.
CBD is relatively safe and well-tolerated by the majority of people.
The authors of a 2017 review confirmed that people could tolerate CBD well, even at doses as high as 1,500 mg/day. However, the data on the long-term safety of CBD is limited.
There are some side effects associated with CBD. These include:
Before taking CBD products, individuals should consult with their doctor.
CBD is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding people. There is also a risk with certain medications and supplements, such as blood thinners and liver medication. It’s important to check with a healthcare professional before taking any CBD.
People should note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD for treating anxiety or other mental health conditions. People should use their best judgment when purchasing CBD products. Only buy products from reputable manufacturers and distributors.
The following are examples of CBD products that people may use to manage and treat anxiety symptoms.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
The following table compares the products in this article on size, price, and more.
There are several important considerations when shopping for CBD, such as:
COA: People should only buy products from companies with an accessible and current COA. Some companies may display the COA on their shopping page, whereas others may require a person to scan a QR code.
Third-party testing: Some companies send their CBD products to third parties for laboratory tests. This ensures that the products contain the type and amount of CBD the company advertises.
Type of CBD: Companies can legally sell full- or broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate. Full-spectrum CBD contains up to 0.3% THC, whereas broad-spectrum and CBD isolate contain trace or no amounts of THC.
CBD strength: People new to CBD may wish to start at a lower strength of CBD. Everyone should always start with the lowest possible dose of a product and gradually increase it as necessary.
Here, we answer some common questions about CBD.
Does CBD really work for anxiety?
Yes, there is evidence that CBD can help relieve anxiety symptoms.
One study found that CBD helped reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and helped increase the quality of life in the study participants.
What are three coping resources for anxiety?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are several methods of reducing anxiety. Three of these are:
What does it feel like to take CBD for anxiety?
CBD may help individuals feel calmer and more relaxed without the feeling of intoxication or ‘high’ associated with cannabis.
It can take up to an hour to feel the effects.
What is the best CBD dosage for anxiety?
This ideal CBD dosage will vary from person to person. Considerations include the severity of anxiety, sensitivity to CBD, and physical factors.
General recommendations suggest starting with a low dose and increasing gradually as needed.
Individuals should speak to their doctors before using CBD to treat anxiety, particularly if taking other medication.
An ever-growing body of research suggests that CBD may help relieve anxiety, the most common mental health disorder.
However, the FDA does not regulate CBD for treating anxiety. This means the quality and dosage of CBD can vary widely between products and manufacturers.
Various products are available for people who want to use CBD to treat anxiety, including tinctures, gummies, lotions, and patches.
People who currently use prescription medication or supplements may want to consult a doctor before using CBD.
