What Are the Effects of CBD on Anxiety?

CBD has been shown to decrease anxiety in various studies. One 2022 study found that CBD significantly reduced social anxiety in participants.

CBD also prevents the increased dopamine level associated with drug taking and may reduce relapse in addiction recovery programs. It is recommended to take CBD in capsules or via sprays or tinctures.

1. Pain relief

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that has demonstrated analgesic properties in animal studies and in clinical trials. CBD reduces neuropathic pain in rats by inhibiting the uptake of serotonin and blocking NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory neurotransmission. CBD also attenuates spinal cord injury-induced neuropathic pain in mice by blocking the binding of NMDA receptors to adenosine triphosphate, a key component for pain signaling [71]. CBD diminishes the hyperalgesic effect induced by the vanilloid receptor antagonist capsazepine in a spared nerve injury neuropathic pain rat model, indicating an anti-hyperalgesic effect. The CBD-mediated analgesia is not influenced by CB1 or CB2 receptor antagonists, and is not modulated by the 5-HT1a receptor agonist WAY100135, suggesting a mechanism independent of cannabinoid receptors [72].

In a clinical trial with patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, oral CBD administration resulted in decreased nausea and improved overall condition. Another trial found that a combination of THC and CBD reduced the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including shaking, rigidity, bradykinesia, and dysphagia, and increased the time that the subject spent awake without a nauseating episode (PDF, 2022).

A study in people with multiple sclerosis showed that a transdermal CBD gel administered every other day mitigated painful skin sensations of touch and cold, and improved the ability to concentrate and maintain posture. Another study in people with neuropathic pain from peripheral neuropathy showed that CBD decreases pain, and the associated itching, burning, and tingling in response to cold, hot, or pressure applied to the skin. Additionally, the nabiximols spray (a combination of THC and CBD) helped to reduce the number of seizures in people with epilepsy, and it may help treat other seizure disorders such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex [103].

2. Anxiety relief

Unlike THC, CBD does not have anxiogenic effects and can even be used to counteract THC’s anxiogenic actions [100]. CBD also potently reduces experimentally induced anxiety or fear in animal models. For example, CBD reduced skin conductance responses elicited by a conditioned fearful stimulus and the anticipatory anxiety associated with a simulated public speaking test. It also reduced anticipatory anxiety in subjects with SAD, demonstrating superior efficacy to the antianxiety medications diazepam and ipsapirone [101].

In addition to its anxiolytic effect, CBD appears to prevent reconsolidation of aversive memory. In one study, CBD administered following retrieval of a contextual fear memory inhibited reinstatement and decreased skin conductance responses evoked by the conditioned context. This effect was dependent on CB1R and hippocampal AEA activation.

Further, CBD significantly inhibited re-exposure-induced freezing in the conditioned fear test and reduced anxiogenic responses to a feared stimulus in rats. This was partially mediated by 5-HT1AR activation, and was also observed in human studies of chronic unpredictable stress. CBD has also been shown to enhance extinction of a fear memory in healthy subjects, which was dependent on hippocampal AEA activation.

It appears that CBD has anxiolytic and antianxiogenic effects in a bell-shaped dose response curve, with greater effectiveness at lower doses. This may reflect its interaction with TRPV1 receptors in the DPAG, which are activated by a variety of anxiogenic stimuli.

Overall, CBD appears to have promising anxiolytic and antianxiogenic properties, especially in combination with THC, but additional research is needed to determine the best dosage. Until more rigorous studies are available, we don’t recommend trying CBD without medical supervision. There is too much unknown risk. For example, CBD can interact with certain prescription drugs, and it could also contain enough THC to flag a drug test.

3. Stress relief

CBD works on more than 65 receptors in your brain, many of which impact serotonin levels — the brain chemical that controls mood. It also acts on other receptors and brain pathways that affect how you feel about stress. It may help you to relax and lower your blood pressure, which can ease anxiety. It might also make you more aware of your physical sensations and emotions so that you’re less likely to react negatively to a stressful situation or event.

Studies in animals and humans suggest that CBD can help with chronic stress, which is when you experience the same kind of stress over a long period of time. It does so by increasing the levels of naturally-occurring chemicals in your body that help you manage a stress response. Several double-blind placebo controlled clinical trials showed that CBD significantly reduced stress responses and was as effective as prescription drugs.

Compared to a placebo, CBD was associated with a reduction in the levels of cortisol and norepinephrine – both hormones that increase during a stress response. It was also linked with an increased level of N-arachidonylethanolamine, which is a natural compound that reduces the stress response and decreases feelings of anxiety.

A survey of CBD users found that most take it to help with self-perceived anxiety, stress, and sleep problems. They use low doses, and this is consistent with previous research showing that CBD is a promising treatment for these symptoms.

It’s important to talk to your doctor before you start using CBD, especially if you take other medications. It could interfere with some of them, including antidepressants and sedatives. It can also interact with blood thinners and anti-epileptic medicines by competing with the enzymes that break them down in the liver. You should also be honest about your use of CBD with your doctor so that they can monitor you for any negative side effects like changes in appetite or weight or abnormal liver function test results.

4. Sleep improvement

CBD is thought to enhance sleep by increasing serotonin levels, which helps regulate moods. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that may help with pain and anxiety. It is also reported to improve the quality of sleep in those suffering from a range of sleep disorders, including insomnia and chronic pain. CBD has been found to be beneficial in a number of other conditions, such as substance misuse and certain cancers, though more research is needed.

Sleep is an essential physiologic function that alternates with wakefulness, and can be divided into non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) phases. Insufficient and poor quality sleep can affect a person’s health, well-being, and ability to perform tasks. People with anxiety and/or insomnia often have difficulty falling or staying asleep, and can experience nightmares or sleep disturbances. CBD is a natural compound that has been shown to reduce anxiety and insomnia.

In a retrospective chart review of 103 adult patients, 72 were treated with CBD for anxiety or sleep complaints as an adjunct to psychiatric care. Monthly assessments included clinical evaluation and documentation of anxiety and sleep scores using validated measures. CBD was added to or dropped from the regimen as per patient and practitioner preference.

CBD was well-tolerated by all patients in this study and appeared to be effective at reducing anxiety and improving sleep. Sleep onset latency, total sleep time, and arousal index all improved with short-term use of CBD, although these improvements were not sustained in the long term. However, a lack of randomized trials and other formal clinical studies limits what is known about the effects of CBD on anxiety and sleep disorders.

5. Depression relief

CBD is effective for treating depression and anxiety in animal models, and preliminary clinical trials have shown promising results. It displays anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic properties, and it also acts as an antiepileptic. It has been found to be effective in the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Its effectiveness has accelerated research into its use for other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, PTSD, and SAD.

Scientists aren’t sure how CBD helps with anxiety and depression, but it seems to work by affecting more than 65 different receptors in the brain. Many of these receptors and brain pathways affect your levels of serotonin, a natural mood-boosting chemical. Several drugs that are already used to treat anxiety and depression focus on boosting serotonin levels. However, scientists have also found that CBD may help with anxiety and depression by acting on other receptors and brain pathways.

A recent study showed that CBD significantly decreased depressive symptoms in rats with a genetic vulnerability to this condition. The effect was mediated by 5-HT1A serotonergic receptors. It also reduced the level of inflammatory molecules in the brain and the bloodstream. In another study, CBD significantly increased the ability of mice to cope with stress and depression. Its effect was mediated by 5-HT1A, NMDA, and dopamine receptors.

It’s important to discuss your use of CBD with your doctor before stopping or changing any medications you are taking. It can interact with some medications, especially blood thinners and anti-epileptics. It can also interfere with certain liver enzymes and increase the level of other medicines in your body. It’s also important to let your doctor know if you’re using CBD or marijuana, as they may need to adjust your dose.