Focused research review
Does CBD help with anxiety?
CBD has a meaningful positive human signal for anxiety, especially in controlled public-speaking studies and one larger anxiety-disorder trial. It has not worked consistently at every dose or in every setting.
The short answer
What is the bottom line?
CBD has a credible positive human signal for anxiety, but it is not a universal or dose-independent effect. A phase 3 trial reported lower GAD-7 and Hamilton Anxiety scores, and a small social-anxiety trial found less anxiety during simulated public speaking. 1 2 3
Several acute public-speaking experiments also reported less anxiety after 300 mg CBD. One dose-ranging study is especially important: 300 mg reduced anxiety, while 150 mg and 600 mg did not differ from placebo. 4 5 6
The wider evidence is less uniform. An open-label youth study improved from baseline without a placebo group, a CBD-rich dental extract did not reduce procedural anxiety, and a meta-analysis favored CBD while warning that the clinical sample was small and heterogeneous. 7 8 9
What this means: Anxiety is one of CBD's more promising non-seizure research areas. The most defensible answer is cautiously positive, especially for short-term anxiety in specific controlled settings, while long-term effectiveness, best dose, and generalizability still need stronger trials. 1 2 3 4 5 6
How to read this answer: Research has examined CBD and anxiety. This page brings together 11 human-study sources and 4 research reviews. It includes 18 specific study findings from 9 sources. Human research is included, although its design and scope vary. The studies do not all test the same product, dose, group of people, or outcome, so they cannot be reduced to one answer for every person or product. 1
Key takeaways
What to know first
- 1
Controlled human studies provide repeated positive anxiety signals, including social anxiety and mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders. 1
- 2
A 300 mg dose reduced public-speaking anxiety in one trial, while 150 mg and 600 mg did not, showing that more is not automatically better. 2
- 3
Acute situational anxiety, long-term treatment, open-label improvement, and CBD-rich extracts remain different evidence questions. 3
Choose your question
What kind of anxiety question are you asking?
A one-time stressful task, an anxiety disorder, and months of treatment are different research questions.
- 01Reader questionSee the evidence
What do anxiety-disorder trials show?
Start with controlled studies in diagnosed or clinically anxious participants.
- 02Reader questionSee the evidence
What about public-speaking anxiety?
See repeated acute signals and the dose-response result.
- 03Reader questionSee the evidence
Does the dose matter?
Yes. One controlled study was positive at 300 mg but not at 150 mg or 600 mg.
- 04Reader questionSee the evidence
What about long-term anxiety?
Open-label improvement is encouraging but needs placebo-controlled confirmation.
Research areas
What researchers studied about CBD and anxiety
Anxiety evidence ranges from diagnosed disorders to one-time laboratory stress. The setting and timing determine what each study can answer.
Controlled clinical evidence
Anxiety disorders
A phase 3 trial reported lower GAD-7 and Hamilton scores, while a small social-anxiety trial reported less anxiety during simulated public speaking. 1 2
Acute situational evidence
Public-speaking anxiety
Several controlled experiments reported lower acute anxiety, including studies in healthy volunteers and people with Parkinson's disease. 4 5 6
Mixed controlled result
Scan-related and dental anxiety
A scan-related trial missed its primary change-score endpoint but favored CBD on a secondary post-dose measure; a CBD-rich dental extract did not reduce anxiety. 3 8
Promising, less controlled
Longer-term and pooled evidence
An open-label youth study improved from baseline, and a meta-analysis favored CBD while emphasizing the small and varied clinical literature. 7 9
Study-by-study results
What did the CBD anxiety studies report?
Each result-bearing study appears once with its outcomes, formulation, dose, duration, comparator, limitations, and PubMed source kept together.
What did controlled anxiety studies find?
These trials enrolled people with anxiety disorders or clinically important anxiety and compared CBD with placebo.
Study details
Mild-to-moderate anxiety phase 3 trial
PubMed 38797087- Study type
- phase 3 multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel trial
- Population
- 178 participants in India with mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders
- Formulation
- nanodispersible CBD oral solution, 150 mg/mL
- Dose
- not stated in the PubMed abstract
- Duration
- 15 weeks
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
Improvement reported
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score
CBD-versus-placebo end-to-baseline difference -7.02 (SE 0.25; 95% CI -7.52 to -6.52; P<0.0001). 1
Improvement reported
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score
CBD-versus-placebo end-to-baseline difference -11.9 (SE 0.33; 95% CI -12.6 to -11.3; P<0.0001). 1
Keep in mind: The CBD dose and dosing schedule were not stated in the PubMed abstract. The trial enrolled participants with mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders at sites in India. The findings concern a 150 mg and mL nanodispersible oral formulation and may not transfer to other CBD formulations.
Study details
Social-anxiety public-speaking trial
PubMed 21307846- Study type
- randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel trial
- Population
- 24 treatment-naive patients with social anxiety disorder plus 12 untreated healthy controls
- Formulation
- oral cannabidiol
- Dose
- 600 mg once
- Duration
- single dose 90 minutes before a simulated public-speaking test
- Comparator
- placebo; untreated healthy-control reference group
Measured outcomes
Improvement reported
public-speaking anxiety in treatment-naive social anxiety disorder
CBD significantly reduced speech-related anxiety; the abstract provides no effect estimate or P value. 2
Improvement reported
public-speaking cognitive impairment and discomfort in social anxiety disorder
CBD significantly reduced cognitive impairment and discomfort during speech performance; numerical estimates were not reported in the abstract. 2
Keep in mind: The trial included 24 treatment-naive patients with social anxiety disorder, with 12 assigned to CBD. CBD was given once before a simulated public-speaking test; the result does not establish long-term treatment effects. The abstract reports statistical significance without numerical effect estimates or P values.
Study details
Scan-related anxiety trial
PubMed 39680411- Study type
- phase 2 randomized double-masked placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Population
- 50 women with advanced breast cancer and baseline clinical anxiety
- Formulation
- FDA-approved oral CBD; product name not stated in the abstract
- Dose
- 400 mg once
- Duration
- single dose with assessment 2 to 4 hours later
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
pre-to-post scan-related anxiety change score
Mean change was -19.1 (SD 15.4) with CBD and -15.0 (SD 10.9) with placebo; P=0.37. 3
Improvement reported
scan-related anxiety level 2 to 4 hours after dosing
Mean T-score was 51.5 (SD 12.8) with CBD and 58.0 (SD 11.6) with placebo; P=0.02. 3
Keep in mind: The trial included 50 women at one breast-oncology center. The intervention was a single 400 mg dose given in a scan-related anxiety context. The primary change-score endpoint was not significant; the lower post-dose anxiety level was a secondary outcome.
What about stressful public-speaking tests?
Several acute studies reported less anxiety, but the result changed by dose and population.
Study details
Public-speaking dose-response trial
PubMed 30328956- Study type
- randomized double-blind placebo-controlled four-arm trial
- Population
- 57 healthy male volunteers
- Formulation
- oral cannabidiol
- Dose
- 300 mg once; 150 mg or 600 mg once
- Duration
- single dose before a simulated public-speaking test
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
Improvement reported
public-speaking anxiety after 300 mg CBD in healthy volunteers
The 300 mg group had significantly lower speech-related anxiety than placebo; the abstract provides no effect estimate or P value. 4
No difference detected
public-speaking anxiety after 150 mg or 600 mg CBD in healthy volunteers
Neither 150 mg nor 600 mg differed significantly from placebo on VAMS anxiety scores. 4
Keep in mind: The study included 57 healthy men rather than patients receiving anxiety treatment. CBD was given once before an experimentally stressful speaking task. Only the 300 mg group differed from placebo; the 150 mg and 600 mg groups did not.
Study details
Experimental-anxiety comparator trial
PubMed 22290374- Study type
- randomized double-blind placebo- and active-comparator trial
- Population
- 40 healthy volunteers across four groups, including 10 assigned to CBD
- Formulation
- oral cannabidiol
- Dose
- 300 mg once
- Duration
- single experimental session
- Comparator
- placebo, diazepam, and ipsapirone groups
Measured outcomes
Improvement reported
anxiety after simulated public speaking in healthy volunteers
CBD decreased anxiety after the speaking test; the abstract provides no effect estimate or P value. 6
Keep in mind: The CBD group included 10 healthy volunteers. CBD was given once in an experimental public-speaking setting. CBD decreased anxiety after the speaking test but did not attenuate the speech-induced increase in systolic blood pressure.
Study details
Parkinson's public-speaking crossover trial
PubMed 31909680- Study type
- randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial
- Population
- 24 people with Parkinson's disease
- Formulation
- oral cannabidiol
- Dose
- 300 mg once
- Duration
- two experimental sessions separated by 15 days
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
Improvement reported
public-speaking anxiety in people with Parkinson's disease
CBD significantly attenuated experimentally induced anxiety; the abstract provides no effect estimate or P value. 5
Improvement reported
public-speaking tremor amplitude in people with Parkinson's disease
CBD significantly decreased tremor amplitude during the anxiety-inducing task; the abstract provides no effect estimate or P value. 5
Keep in mind: The crossover trial included 24 people with Parkinson's disease. CBD was given once before a simulated public-speaking test. The findings may not generalize to chronic anxiety treatment or people without Parkinson's disease.
What did open-label and extract studies show?
These studies add context, but they do not provide the same causal confidence as a successful placebo-controlled trial.
Study details
Treatment-resistant youth open-label trial
PubMed 35921510- Study type
- open-label add-on trial
- Population
- 31 people aged 12 to 25 years with treatment-resistant anxiety disorders
- Formulation
- CBD; formulation details not stated in the PubMed abstract
- Dose
- fixed-flexible schedule titrated up to 800 mg/day
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Comparator
- none; within-group baseline comparison
Measured outcomes
Improvement reported
within-group anxiety severity
Mean OASIS decreased from 10.8 (SD 3.8) to 6.3 (SD 4.5), a 42.6% within-group reduction (P<0.0001). 7
Improvement reported
within-group depressive symptoms
Depressive symptoms improved within the open-label group (P<0.0001); the abstract provides no effect estimate. 7
Improvement reported
within-group Clinical Global Impressions severity score
CGI-Severity improved within the open-label group (P=0.0008); the abstract provides no effect estimate. 7
Improvement reported
within-group social and occupational functioning
Functioning improved within the open-label group (P=0.04); the abstract provides no effect estimate. 7
Keep in mind: The study was open label and had no placebo or active comparator. The sample included 31 young people and CBD was added to existing care. Within-group improvement cannot separate CBD effects from expectancy, time, regression to the mean, or concomitant care.
Study details
Dental-anxiety CBD-rich-extract trial
PubMed 39505200- Study type
- randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Population
- patients undergoing endodontic treatment; sample size not stated in the PubMed abstract
- Formulation
- CBD-rich cannabis extract
- Dose
- not stated in the PubMed abstract
- Duration
- single preoperative administration with follow-up through 7 days
- Comparator
- placebo
Measured outcomes
No difference detected
reduction in procedural dental anxiety
Mean anxiety was 5.06 before and 4.61 after treatment with the extract versus 3.07 and 2.60 with placebo; reduction did not differ significantly. 8
No difference detected
postoperative pain after endodontic treatment
No significant CBD-rich-extract versus placebo difference was detected at any measured time point. 8
Keep in mind: The intervention was a CBD-rich cannabis extract, so the result should not be treated as evidence about isolated CBD. The sample size, cannabinoid composition, and dose were not stated in the PubMed abstract. The trial concerned procedural dental anxiety and postoperative pain after endodontic treatment.
What does the pooled evidence suggest?
A meta-analysis favored CBD, but it combined only eight heterogeneous studies and had a wide confidence interval.
Study details
Anxiety systematic review and meta-analysis
PubMed 38924898- Study type
- systematic review and meta-analysis
- Population
- 316 participants across eight studies involving anxiety-related conditions
- Formulation
- CBD formulations varied across included studies
- Dose
- varied across included studies
- Duration
- varied across included studies
- Comparator
- varied across included studies
Measured outcomes
Improvement reported
pooled anxiety symptoms across CBD studies
Pooled Hedges' g was -0.92 (95% CI -1.80 to -0.04) in favor of CBD. 9
Keep in mind: The meta-analysis included eight studies and 316 participants. The pooled estimate combined different anxiety disorders, CBD doses, study designs, and outcome measures. The wide confidence interval indicates substantial uncertainty in the effect size.
How strong is the research?
Not every study answers the same question
This page separates research in people, research reviews, and earlier-stage biology before interpreting the larger question.
Human studies
Research involving people is closest to everyday health questions. The product, dose, population, and outcome still determine what each study can show.
Reviews and evidence summaries
Reviews can compare several studies at once. Their conclusion is only as strong and as relevant as the studies they include.
Lab, animal, and mechanism research
Early-stage research can explain biological interest. It cannot, by itself, show that the same effect happens in people.
What these studies actually looked at
The research on CBD and anxiety is not one kind of study. This source set includes 11 clinical studies in people, 2 narrative or expert reviews, 2 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, and 1 open-label add-on trial. 3
The recorded populations or models include people or patients (9 sources), pediatric, adolescent, or developmental context (2 sources), and 24 people with Parkinson's disease (1 source). A result from one group or model should not be assumed to apply to another. 4
The most common recorded outcome focus is anxiety-related outcomes (10 sources), anxiety after simulated public speaking in healthy volunteers (1 source), and change on the Visual Analog Mood Scale afraid subscale (1 source). Closely related outcome names can still describe different measurements. 5
Some source records specify doses including 300 mg once (3 sources), not stated in the PubMed abstract (2 sources), and 150 mg or 600 mg once (1 source). These are descriptions of what researchers tested, not personal dosing instructions. 6
The CBD and anxiety source set also contains findings or reviews that remain too limited, indirect, or mixed for a broad answer. That uncertainty is part of the result, not an empty space to fill with assumptions. 7
Examples from the literature
What did the studies actually look at?
Each example names the research question and the study details recorded for that source.
clinical study in people
Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial.
On this page, this source examines CBD and anxiety-related outcomes, CBD and generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score, and CBD and hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score. 1
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- people or patients
- Outcome focus
- anxiety-related outcomes and generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 score and other recorded details
- Dose recorded
- not stated in the PubMed abstract
- Evidence stage
- human research
clinical study in people
Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients.
On this page, this source examines CBD and public-speaking anxiety in treatment-naive social anxiety disorder and CBD and public-speaking cognitive impairment and discomfort in social anxiety disorder. 2
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- people or patients
- Outcome focus
- public-speaking anxiety in treatment-naive social anxiety disorder and public-speaking cognitive impairment and discomfort in social anxiety disorder
- Dose recorded
- 600 mg once
- Evidence stage
- human research
clinical study in people
Cannabidiol for Scan-Related Anxiety in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
On this page, this source examines CBD and anxiety-related outcomes, CBD and pre-to-post scan-related anxiety change score, and CBD and scan-related anxiety level 2 to 4 hours after dosing. 3
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- people or patients and 50 women with advanced breast cancer and baseline clinical anxiety
- Outcome focus
- anxiety-related outcomes and change on the Visual Analog Mood Scale afraid subscale and other recorded details
- Dose recorded
- 400 mg once
- Evidence stage
- human research
clinical study in people
Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test.
On this page, this source examines CBD and public-speaking anxiety after 300 mg CBD in healthy volunteers and CBD and public-speaking anxiety after 150 mg or 600 mg CBD in healthy volunteers. 4
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- 57 healthy male volunteers
- Outcome focus
- public-speaking anxiety after 300 mg CBD in healthy volunteers and public-speaking anxiety after 150 mg or 600 mg CBD in healthy volunteers
- Dose recorded
- 300 mg once and 150 mg or 600 mg once
- Evidence stage
- human research
clinical study in people
Effects of acute cannabidiol administration on anxiety and tremors induced by a Simulated Public Speaking Test in patients with Parkinson's disease.
On this page, this source examines CBD and public-speaking anxiety in people with Parkinson's disease and CBD and public-speaking tremor amplitude in people with Parkinson's disease. 5
- Study type
- clinical study in people
- Population or model
- 24 people with Parkinson's disease
- Outcome focus
- public-speaking anxiety in people with Parkinson's disease and public-speaking tremor amplitude in people with Parkinson's disease
- Dose recorded
- 300 mg once
- Evidence stage
- human research
Safety and limits
What should readers keep in mind?
Research on CBD and anxiety should be read beside safety. A compound can be non-intoxicating or naturally occurring and still have pharmacologic effects, side effects, interactions, or product-quality concerns. 2
Research doses are descriptions of what a study tested. They are not personal dosing instructions. Questions involving medications, pregnancy, children, driving, liver health, heart health, or serious symptoms deserve professional medical guidance.
Common questions
Questions people ask
Does CBD help with anxiety?
The human evidence is cautiously positive. Several controlled studies reported lower anxiety, but the result varies by dose, setting, population, and outcome. 7
What CBD dose worked for anxiety?
There is no established general answer. In one public-speaking study, 300 mg reduced anxiety while 150 mg and 600 mg did not differ from placebo. 8
Does one-time public-speaking research prove long-term benefit?
No. Acute situational anxiety and ongoing treatment are different questions. Longer-term placebo-controlled evidence remains limited. 9
Is CBD-rich cannabis extract the same as isolated CBD?
No. Extracts can contain other cannabinoids and ingredients, so their results should remain formulation-specific. 10
Sources
Read the research
The numbered sources below support the main overview. Links open the PubMed record or DOI in a new tab.
-
1
Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 38797087 DOI 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104073
-
2
Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 21307846 DOI 10.1038/npp.2011.6
-
3
Cannabidiol for Scan-Related Anxiety in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 39680411 DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.50391
-
4
Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 30328956 DOI 10.1590/1516-4446-2017-0015
-
5
Effects of acute cannabidiol administration on anxiety and tremors induced by a Simulated Public Speaking Test in patients with Parkinson's disease. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 31909680 DOI 10.1177/0269881119895536
-
6
Effects of ipsapirone and cannabidiol on human experimental anxiety. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 22290374 DOI 10.1177/026988119300700112
-
7
Cannabidiol for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders in Young People: An Open-Label Trial. clinical study in people; open-label add-on trial; human research PubMed 35921510 DOI 10.4088/jcp.21m14130
-
8
Effect of Preoperative Oral Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis Extract on Anxiety and Postoperative Pain after Endodontic Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 39505200 DOI 10.1016/j.joen.2024.10.010
-
9
Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; systematic review PubMed 38924898 DOI 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116049
-
10
Medical cannabinoids: a pharmacology-based systematic review and meta-analysis for all relevant medical indications. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited PubMed 35982439 DOI 10.1186/s12916-022-02459-1
-
11
Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited PubMed 33424664 DOI 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584
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12
Cannabidiol for moderate-severe insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial of 150 mg of nightly dosing. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 38174873 DOI 10.5664/jcsm.10998
See all 15 research sources
This complete source list is the deeper research layer for the page. Study type and evidence context are shown when they are available in the current record.
- Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of nanodispersible cannabidiol oral solution (150 mg/mL) versus placebo in mild to moderate anxiety subjects: A double blind multicenter randomized clinical trial. clinical study in people; human research / 3 linked research notes PubMed 38797087
- Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism spectrum disorder: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 35617670
- Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 33424664
- Cannabidiol for moderate-severe insomnia: a randomized controlled pilot trial of 150 mg of nightly dosing. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 38174873
- Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Review. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 41296368
- Cannabidiol for Scan-Related Anxiety in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 3 linked research notes PubMed 39680411
- Effect of Preoperative Oral Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis Extract on Anxiety and Postoperative Pain after Endodontic Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 3 linked research notes PubMed 39505200
- Medical cannabinoids: a pharmacology-based systematic review and meta-analysis for all relevant medical indications. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 35982439
- Oral Cannabis Extract for Secondary Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Final Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II/III Trial. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 39151115
- Cannabidiol for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders in Young People: An Open-Label Trial. clinical study in people; open-label add-on trial; human research / 5 linked research notes PubMed 35921510
- Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 21307846
- Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 30328956
- Effects of acute cannabidiol administration on anxiety and tremors induced by a Simulated Public Speaking Test in patients with Parkinson's disease. clinical study in people; human research / 2 linked research notes PubMed 31909680
- Effects of ipsapirone and cannabidiol on human experimental anxiety. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 22290374
- Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; systematic review / 1 linked research note PubMed 38924898