Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people turn to CBD, and research and anecdotal evidence have demonstrated that CBD has a lot of therapeutic potential in this area.
But CBD oil may or may not be the right choice for your situation – there’s a lot to consider.
To help you decide whether it’s right for you, we’ve taken inventory of the pros and cons of using CBD oil for anxiety. Here’s what we’ve concluded.
Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Anxiety
PROS of CBD:
- Can be effective for anxiety
- Easy to use
- Fewer side effects than prescriptions
CONS of CBD:
- Not FDA-approved to treat anxiety
- May interact with some anxiety prescriptions
- Some products contain THC, which can increase anxiety
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid in the cannabis sativa plant (hemp is federally-legal cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight).
While CBD is just one of more than 100 cannabinoids in hemp, it’s one of the most researched because of its high natural abundance and potential therapeutic benefits.
In addition to anxiety and stress, CBD has been researched for pain, inflammation, insomnia, and more.
Unlike THC, CBD is not inebriating. It is technically psychoactive, in that it affects the mind, but it creates mild feelings of calm and relaxation, rather than the feelings you’d normally associate with a high.
Research on CBD for Anxiety
Research suggests CBD has therapeutic potential for anxiety in several different areas:
CBD may promote mental relaxation
Research suggests that CBD has therapeutic potential as a direct treatment for anxiety. One research review examined multiple studies around CBD for anxiety and concluded that it has “considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders” [1].
Many people have tried CBD for anxiety and found it to work better than prescription anxiety medications, like Xanax, Ativan, and Lexapro.
Another study examined the anti-anxiety effects of CBD on participants undergoing a public speaking test.
Public speaking and social interaction are common causes of anxiety, and the study found that CBD reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment, and discomfort in participants who used it, as compared to those who did not [2].
Based on the scientific and anecdotal evidence, CBD has therapeutic potential for anxiety because it promotes feelings of balance, calm, and relaxation.
CBD may promote restful sleep
Poor sleep is a major contributor to anxiety. Not only will feeling tired multiply any negative emotions you’re already experiencing, but there’s actually a scientific link between getting less sleep and feeling more anxious.
When you don’t sleep well, your body produces more cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that, among other things, contributes to feelings of stress and anxiety. This is why good sleep is paramount to good mental health – and just about everything else.
Research suggests CBD has therapeutic potential to address insomnia and other sleep issues. One research review stated that CBD may hold promise for REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness [3].
Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD can help you get into a more relaxed state, thereby helping you sleep sooner and stay asleep throughout the night. This may lead to improvements in mental health.
CBD may support physical comfort
Inflammation and pain can also contribute to feelings of anxiety. When you’re dealing with physical discomfort, you tend to worry about when the pain will come, how long it will last, and when it will go away.
Research suggests CBD may have analgesic (pain-reducing) and anti-inflammatory properties [4].
In 2021, scientists conducted a survey of 253 CBD users to better understand how effective it is for pain. Overall, results were positive: participants reported that CBD helped their pain (59.0%) and allowed them to reduce their pain medications (67.6%) [5].
Overall, scientific and anecdotal evidence shows that CBD may address physical discomfort, and therefore help promote mental relaxation.
How CBD Oil Works for Anxiety
CBD works by interacting with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), a receptor system in your body that plays a role in regulating your vital functions, including your stress and anxiety responses.
CBD is thought to promote homeostasis, or balance, in how the ECS functions, thereby rendering calming benefits.
But CBD also works for anxiety in other ways. CBD may impact the transmission of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that’s associated with feelings of focus, emotional stability, happiness, and calmness.
Research suggests that CBD may cause serotonin to stay between your nerve endings for longer than normal, boosting your serotonin levels and prompting an improvement in the way you feel [6].
More research is needed before we know conclusively how the CBD-serotonin relationship works, but preliminary studies have demonstrated that CBD modulates serotonin signals.
Additionally, research suggests CBD may work by regulating the GABA transmission system in a way that enhances the calming effects of GABA, which is a neurotransmitter [7].
Pros Of Using CBD Oil for Anxiety
Here are the pros you’ll want to consider when using CBD oil for anxiety:
PRO: Research suggests CBD may promote mental relaxation
As we discussed, scientific research has shown CBD to have considerable therapeutic potential for anxiety and anxiety disorders. Anecdotally, people use CBD for everything from social anxiety to panic attacks.
While not a proven treatment for anxiety, CBD may promote mental relaxation and provide support in other ways that also lead to a calm mind.
PRO: CBD has fewer and less severe side effects than most prescription drugs
Compared to many drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, CBD’s side effects are far more moderate.
Let’s look at two common anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) drugs: Lexapro (escitalopram) and Zoloft (sertraline).
- The side effects of Lexapro include nausea, dry mouth, headaches, sweating, being unable to sleep, drowsiness, and weakness.
- The side effects of Zoloft include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, appetite loss, sweating, diarrhea, drowsiness, and being unable to sleep.
CBD, on the other hand, has fewer and less severe side effects: dry mouth, drowsiness, diarrhea, reduced appetite, and fatigue.
This has led many people to use CBD as a supplement to, and in some cases a replacement for, these drugs.
PRO: CBD isn’t bad for you, and it’s often healthy
Though antidepressant prescriptions can be effective for anxiety, they also have some pretty nasty long-term side effects.
One study looked at 180 patients who had been using antidepressants for 3-15 years.
Reported physical side effects included withdrawal effects (73.5% of those surveyed), sexual problems (71.8%), and weight gain (65.3%), not to mention mental effects such as emotional numbness (64.5%) and feelings of addiction (43%) [8].
Research hasn’t found CBD oil to have any adverse long-term side effects, and many CBD oils are made with hemp seed oil and terpenes, both of which have a variety of health benefits.
PRO: CBD won’t get you high or cause inebriation
Unlike some cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), CBD is not psychoactive. Even full-spectrum CBD, which contains small amounts of THC, doesn’t contain enough of this cannabinoid to get you high.
Although psychoactive cannabinoids may render benefits for anxiety, therapeutic users often don’t want the additional effects — this is where CBD is a great option.
Learn more: CBD vs. Delta 8 for Anxiety
PRO: CBD doesn’t require a prescription
CBD doesn’t require a prescription, so you can buy it and use it without any medical direction.
However, if you’re going to use CBD for a condition that you’re already receiving medical attention for, we recommend talking to your doctor beforehand to ensure CBD is right for you.
PRO: CBD is easy to use
One last major upside of CBD oil is that it’s easy to dose precisely because you can measure it out with the metered dropper in each bottle.
CBD’s quick onset time is a benefit, too: CBD oil works in just 10-15 minutes.
Cons of Using CBD Oil for Anxiety
Here are the cons you’ll want to consider when using CBD oil for anxiety:
CON: The CBD market is largely unregulated
The government doesn’t heavily regulate the legal hemp industry. This is because CBD is not considered to be a food, a supplement, or a drug – there’s a bit of a gray area as to what regulatory framework it should fall under. Additionally, CBD isn’t an FDA-approved treatment for anxiety.
Because of this, there are a lot of poor-quality CBD oil products out there — not to mention bad edibles, vapes, and other types of products.
All this means that finding the good stuff requires a discerning eye (see the buying tips section at the end of this article).
CON: CBD may interact with some prescription drugs
CBD’s interaction with your liver enzymes can cause medications you’re taken to build up in the liver.
This can happen with many different medications, including antidepressants (including SSRIs), painkillers, heart medications, and more.
Because of this, if you’re taking any type of prescription, be sure to ask your doctor before you start taking CBD.
CON: CBD may not be legal in all states or countries
The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived CBD federally legal. However, some states have imposed restrictions on CBD:
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
Additionally, if you’re outside the US, you may not be able to buy CBD — check your local laws to determine if you can.
CON: More research is needed to verify CBD’s benefits for anxiety
Though lots of research suggests CBD is a highly beneficial natural compound, many of the same studies also mention that more scientific inquiry is needed.
As of right now, CBD does not meet the rigorous standards against which prescription drugs are assessed. Although it has benefits, it isn’t formally regarded as a treatment for anxiety disorders.
CON: CBD may cause some side effects
CBD isn’t without its downsides — the downsides are just less pronounced than many alternatives. Potential side effects of CBD include drowsiness, dry mouth, reduced appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea.
CBD Oil Buying Tips: How to Shop for High-Quality Products
As we mentioned before, one of the main cons against using CBD is that there are a plethora of low-quality products floating around out there.
But this doesn’t have to be an issue: with these tips below, you’ll know exactly how to find high-quality CBD products:
- Read lab reports: Check the 3rd-party lab report for the product you’re interested in before you buy it. Look for two things: that it contains the amount of CBD it claims to, and that it doesn’t have any contaminants. If a company doesn’t provide lab reports for its products, do not shop with them.
- Read reviews: Companies can say anything they want about their products, but customers have the final say. Check the reviews on the company’s website, but also see if you can find reviews for companies on 3rd-party platforms (Google, social media, review sites, etc.).
- Watch for false claims: We don’t have enough research to know whether CBD can treat certain conditions; the only thing we know for sure is that it can promote mental balance and relaxation. Don’t buy from a company that claims their products can cure illnesses or relieve pain — not only are these outcomes not guaranteed, but these types of claims are actually illegal.
- Opt for full-spectrum CBD oil: Full-spectrum CBD is hemp at its most natural. In addition to CBD, full-spectrum blends contain the other cannabinoids – such as CBG, CBC, CBN, and a bit of THC – that naturally occur in the plant. Some blends also contain terpenes (beneficial compounds found in the hemp plant).
Conclusion: Is CBD Oil Right for You?
So, if you’re dealing with anxiety, should you give CBD oil a try?
If you’re looking for a natural alternative to prescriptions with science-backed benefits and limited side effects, we’d say yes.
However, if you have a very severe anxiety disorder for which you’re receiving medical attention, opting for a more traditional treatment might be necessary.
Whether or not you choose CBD, we hope this article was of help to you. If you want to explore how CBD oil compares to other types of products, read our comparison of CBD oil vs. gummies.
Pros and Cons of CBD Oil for Anxiety: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we’re frequently asked about using CBD oil for anxiety.
What is the downside of CBD oil?
While CBD oil offers a variety of benefits, it may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, reduced appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea.
Do doctors recommend CBD for anxiety?
Some doctors use CBD with their patients, while others don’t recommend it. Many doctors find that CBD helps their patients with anxiety, but they emphasize that it isn’t an alternative to some types of medical treatment.
How quickly does CBD calm anxiety?
While CBD isn’t a treatment for anxiety, most people report that CBD promotes feelings of relaxation within 10-15 minutes (if taken in oil form) or 45 minutes to 1 hour (if taken as a gummy).
Is CBD good or bad for the brain?
Research suggests that CBD is beneficial at promoting balance in all bodily systems, and it has therapeutic potential to help with conditions that place strain on the brain and body.
Sources
[1] Blessing, Esther M et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics vol. 12,4 (2015): 825-36. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
[2] Bergamaschi, Mateus M et al. “Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients.” Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology vol. 36,6 (2011): 1219-26. doi:10.1038/npp.2011.6
[3] Babson, Kimberly A et al. “Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature.” Current psychiatry reports vol. 19,4 (2017): 23. doi:10.1007/s11920-017-0775-9
[4] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana: An Evidence Review and Research Agenda. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2017 Jan 12. 4, Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
[5] Schilling, Jan M et al. “Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Survey of Patients’ Perspectives and Attitudes.” Journal of pain research vol. 14 1241-1250. 5 May. 2021, doi:10.2147/JPR.S278718
[6] De Gregorio, Danilo et al. “Cannabidiol modulates serotonergic transmission and reverses both allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in a model of neuropathic pain.” Pain vol. 160,1 (2019): 136-150. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001386
[7] Bakas, T et al. “The direct actions of cannabidiol and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol at GABAA receptors.” Pharmacological research vol. 119 (2017): 358-370. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2017.02.022
[8] Cartwright, Claire et al. “Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects.” Patient preference and adherence vol. 10 1401-7. 28 Jul. 2016, doi:10.2147/PPA.S110632
