CBD supplements are sold and used to treat various health conditions, such as anxiety and depression; research indicates it could assist in these areas but further investigation must be completed before making definitive claims.
Preclinical findings demonstrate that CBD exhibits numerous anxiolytic and panicolytic actions, such as decreased autonomic arousal, suppression of conditioned fear responses, and reconsolidation blockade.
Anxiety
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that CBD produces anxiolytic-like effects by moderating anxiety-related behaviors, specifically modulating CB1R, 5-HT1A, and TRP vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptors involved with anxiety regulation.
CBD can also be effective at relieving stress and improving sleep quality. One study showed that participants given CBD-dominant cannabis products experienced less anxiety and more restful restful sleep compared to those receiving THC-dominant or placebo products (Crippa et al., 2022).
Anecdotal evidence supports CBD’s efficacy in treating anxiety, depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and inflammation, autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. Unfortunately, much of the available anecdotal data about CBD stems from uncontrolled trials or case series and does not compare the outcomes against those achieved through another medicine or fake medication (placebo). As such, consumers must ensure they only purchase rigorously tested, clinically proven CBD products.
Depression
Depression is a complex mood disorder with numerous potential sources. It could be the result of reactions to certain events or symptoms of medical conditions; or as side effects from medications and substances taken. Untreated depression can even lead to suicide attempts – if this is happening to you or someone you know immediately contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 on your telephone at 911/988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).
Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) can provide invaluable help with depression. It teaches ways to alter harmful emotions, thoughts and behaviors while providing relief in difficult situations that cause it. Antidepressant medications can also provide aid and relieve symptoms associated with depression.
PTSD
PTSD is a mental health condition that may arise after experiencing or witnessing a traumatizing event, with symptoms that include: recalling it, feeling emotionally distressed or upset, nightmares/flashbacks/startled easily/trouble sleeping/having negative thoughts about oneself/others/world + fear anger guilt
CBD has been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms in clinical trials. One study discovered that daily administration of 300 mg CBD reduced PTSD severity among chronic trauma survivors while improving sleep quality. [52] Another trial using functional neuroimaging revealed that taking 600 mg oral CBD attenuated dysfunctions in mediotemporal, prefrontal brain regions as well as hippocampal-striatal connectivity for psychosis-at-risk individuals.
CBD was demonstrated to alleviate symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among frontline healthcare workers in a small clinical trial of 118 professionals treated either with placebo or 150 mg CBD daily for 28 days (n = 118) [101],[102].
Sleep
Sleep is essential to our overall health and wellbeing. CBD has been shown to aid sleep, with one study reporting improved self-reported rest following one dose of CBD treatment for insomnia sufferers and chronic insomniacs alike.
Although CBD shows promising biochemical, physiological and preclinical data, only limited randomized clinical trials exist among psychiatric populations. Furthermore, no previous research has evaluated how well it affects sleep indices among patients suffering primary insomnia.
This retrospective chart review studied 103 adult psychiatric patients treated with CBD as an adjunct therapy at a psychiatric clinic for anxiety or sleep concerns. Anxiety scores decreased within one month and continued to decrease throughout the study period; sleep improvement occurred in 66% of cases over time but results may fluctuate; CBD altered properties like deltas, spindles, and quiet wake ripples; increasing nonREM final bins without altering stage transitions or time spent in REM sleep was noted as well.
