Can behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders be complemented with the administration of cannabidiol (CBD)? A growing body of evidence shows that CBD may offer a safe and effective treatment for anxiety. However, researchers warn that additional research is necessary, especially among the female population (Wright et al., 2020).
Cannabidiol is a compound found in the cannabis plant, but unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce a “high.” Studies have not yet uncovered any evidence of abuse or dependence in humans. Given data showing that CBD is well tolerated and has little potential for abuse or dependence in humans, researchers consider it a treatment option for anxiety disorders.
In particular, a team of researchers recently reviewed current findings from various clinical and preclinical trials in order to find out about the potential use of CBD in the treatment of anxiety.
Preclinical animal studies
These investigations found that:
- Low to medium doses of CBD produce anxiety-reducing effects, while high doses increase anxiety;
- The anxiety-relieving effects of CBD involve the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor.
While overall this research shows compelling support for CBD as a treatment for anxiety, the researchers note that these studies have only been conducted in male animals.
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Clinical studies in patients with social anxiety disorders
Such research has found:
- anxiety-reducing effects with single doses of 400 or 600 mg of CBD;
- during a public speaking simulation task, these doses were found to reduce anxiety symptoms, reduce cognitive impairment, and reduce discomfort associated with speaking performance.
- Several brain imaging studies further revealed that CBD intake alters blood flow in the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cingulate cortex, four brain structures implicated in anxiety.
Early research indicates that CBD can reduce anxiety in healthy volunteers, the authors explained. Results from animal studies suggest that CBD may reduce anxiety, stress, panic, and compulsive behaviors.
Others have found that low doses of THC enhance the extinction of fear memory in healthy volunteers and reduce anxiety responses in anxious and PTSD patients without inducing a psychotic effect. However, high doses of THC do not facilitate fear memory extinction and are related to and clinically relevant in healthy volunteers.
The researchers have several warnings:
- The first and most important is to highlight that this data is preliminary and more research is required: the only human studies examining CBD as a treatment for anxiety have been conducted in patients with social anxiety disorder, therefore, research is needed in patients with other anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
- Second, much is still unknown about the use of CBD as a treatment for anxiety, such as the most effective route of administration, the appropriate doses to use, and its long-term safety and effectiveness.
- Although men and women appear to experience anxiety differently, no clinical trials have examined sex differences in the anti-anxiety effects of CBD. Most studies have examined male participants, but evidence suggests that women tend to experience worse symptoms and a higher likelihood of having an additional diagnosis. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to experience anxiety along with alcohol and substance abuse.
The researchers noted that it will be important to conduct additional trials to examine the results of CBD in patients with other anxiety-related disorders, such as general anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In conclusion, the authors note that although the findings are promising, it is too early to unequivocally conclude that CBD can be used to treat anxiety. More research is needed to guide clinicians and the public in the safe and effective use of CBD as a treatment for anxiety.
Bibliographic reference: Wright, M., Di Ciano, P., & Brands, B. (2020). Use of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Anxiety: A Short Synthesis of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence. In Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (Vol. 5, Number 3, pp. 191-196). https://doi.org/
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