Using CBD for anxiety is becoming increasingly popular. Here, we discuss our top picks and look into how effective CBD is for anxiety.
Many people are considering using CBD (cannabidiol) to manage anxiety symptoms. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting an estimated
Keep reading to learn about the relationship between CBD and anxiety, including research into benefits, how to use, risks and safety, and CBD products to try for different anxiety symptoms.
Below, we look into some of the best CBD products to try for anxiety.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
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CBDistillery states these oils may help people relax and support their daily wellness routine.
The company says that this strength of oil is best for beginners and allows people to be flexible with their dose. However, the company also sells this product in strengths of 1,000 milligrams (mg), 2,500 mg, and 5,000 mg per bottle.
CBDistillery recommends taking 1 milliliter (mL) and placing it underneath the tongue for 15 to 20 seconds before swallowing.
Read our CBDistillery review and learn more about the best CBD oils for anxiety.
Subscriptions and savings
CBDistillery offers free shipping on orders over $75.
It also offers a subscription service. People can schedule deliveries every 4 to 12 weeks and benefit from free shipping and 30% off each order.
“I really liked this product! This tincture has a general calming effect that I found very peaceful and was excellent at relieving physical tension and soreness.
“This is definitely a good product for people who are new to CBD and want to try a full-spectrum offering.
“But as an experienced user of CBD, I felt like I had to increase the dosage to get the intended effect. The cannabis taste in the oil did not bother me, but I could see how some people would not like it.”
— Connor Rice
“I really liked this product! This tincture has a general calming effect that I found very peaceful and was excellent at relieving physical tension and soreness.
“This is definitely a good product for people who are new to CBD and want to try a full-spectrum offering.
“But as an experienced user of CBD, I felt like I had to increase the dosage to get the intended effect. The cannabis taste in the oil did not bother me, but I could see how some people would not like it.”
— Connor Rice
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These gummies contain full-spectrum CBD, which may have a stronger effect than broad-spectrum or isolate gummies. Sunday Scaries recommends these gummies for higher levels of anxiety and stress, and customer reviews tend to agree that they are effective for these mental health issues.
Anxiety has a number of physical effects on the body, such as muscle tension, which people may not always be conscious of. Sunday Scaries also notes that these gummies can help reduce discomfort as they relax you.
Each bottle contains a mixture of flavors, including:
Ingredients include gelatin and artificial colors, which may not suit some buyers. As a full-spectrum product, taking these gummies can result in a positive drug test.
These gummies are dairy- and gluten-free.
Learn about the best CBD gummies for anxiety.
Subscriptions and savings
People can subscribe to regular free deliveries and receive 20% off each order. Monthly deliveries are the only subscription option.
“I tried other CBD gummies several years ago but they must have been a much lower dose because they did nothing for me.
“These extra-strength gummies have 25 mg of CBD per gummy and the suggested serving size is 2 gummies. So a dose is 50 mg of CBD. They make me very sleepy within only 15 minutes. It actually worked almost too well because I didn’t expect it to kick in for an hour […] But I was out like a light super fast!
“These have a very sedative and relaxing effect and I definitely didn’t fall asleep with any anxious thoughts. Just a nice peaceful way to fall asleep without a high. However, they didn’t help me sleep through the entire night. I still have the issue of waking up once or twice around 2 or 3 a.m. So, I’d say these are great for helping you get to sleep but not necessarily for staying asleep. At least for me.”
— Naomi Farr
Images courtesy of Naomi Farr
“I tried other CBD gummies several years ago but they must have been a much lower dose because they did nothing for me.
“These extra-strength gummies have 25 mg of CBD per gummy and the suggested serving size is 2 gummies. So a dose is 50 mg of CBD. They make me very sleepy within only 15 minutes. It actually worked almost too well because I didn’t expect it to kick in for an hour […] But I was out like a light super fast!
“These have a very sedative and relaxing effect and I definitely didn’t fall asleep with any anxious thoughts. Just a nice peaceful way to fall asleep without a high. However, they didn’t help me sleep through the entire night. I still have the issue of waking up once or twice around 2 or 3 a.m. So, I’d say these are great for helping you get to sleep but not necessarily for staying asleep. At least for me.”
— Naomi Farr
Images courtesy of Naomi Farr
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Baths are better at reducing feelings of tension, anxiety, depression, and anger than showers.
Using a CBD bath bomb, especially those with calming or soothing essential oils such as lavender, lemongrass, and chamomile, may be a useful part of a wellness routine for people with anxiety.
CBDfx bath bombs are vegan, cruelty-free, and contain organic hemp. People must drop the bath bomb into warm water and let it dissolve, swirling it around with their hands or feet. Then, they can soak in the bath and perform their usual bathing routine.
Read our review of CBDfx.
The following table compares the products in this article in terms of usage, price, and more.
We selected these CBD products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
We also only include products that brands claim are particularly beneficial for anxiety. This includes products that may help relieve symptoms of anxiety, like sleep disturbances and muscle tension. We regularly review the products we feature in our articles to ensure we provide the best options for our readers.
The growing legalization of medical cannabis in the U.S. has prompted many scientists to study the various therapeutic uses of cannabis and CBD, including in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
In a
Most study participants received one 25-milligram capsule of CBD once a day (mg/d). A few participants received 50 or 75 mg/d. One individual with a history of trauma and schizoaffective disorder received up to 175 mg/d.
After the first 2 months of CBD treatment, 78.1 to 79.2% of participants reported improvements in anxiety symptoms. However, 15.3 to 19.5% of participants developed worse symptoms after CBD treatment.
Plus, the authors of one 2020 article reviewed eight studies investigating CBD’s role in treating various anxiety disorders. The authors found evidence to support the use of CBD as an effective monotherapy or complementary therapy for treating generalized anxiety, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In a recent
All groups reported improvements in their overall quality of life after 3 weeks of CBD treatment. The individuals who received CBD treatment for anxiety or depression reportedly experienced improvements in their ability to perform daily functions and reduce pain and anxiety or depression symptoms.
70% of study participants reported some level of satisfaction with CBD treatment, ranging from good to excellent. Only 9.9% of participants experienced adverse side effects, such as sedation and vivid dreams. Although a smaller portion of the study population (0.8%) reported worsening symptoms, a larger group (15%) did report an improvement in both appetite and sleep.
However, the studies showed considerable variation in CBD doses, ranging from 6 to 400 mg per dose. This variation highlights the need for more high quality, large-scale clinical trials to help establish standardized dosing and clinical usage guidelines for CBD therapy.
To learn more about how CBD affects mental health conditions, read our articles on:
There are several important considerations when shopping for CBD, such as:
People should note that the
Researchers and healthcare professionals have yet to establish standardized dosing recommendations for CBD therapy.
In a 2019 study, researchers found 300 mg to 600 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in 57 adult males.
The ideal dosage for an individual to relieve anxiety depends on the CBD product, how they administer it, and personal health factors.
CBD administration methods include:
The administration method determines how quickly cannabinoids begin taking effect.
The effects of orally administered CBD, such as oils, edibles (such as gummies), or capsules, generally begin working within 30 minutes to 2 hours. Smoking or vaping CBD oil or cannabis buds results in more immediate effects.
People can use oral CBD products to relieve anxiety throughout the day. It may help to take these products in the morning with some food.
Learn more about a safe CBD dosage.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD may be the best type for anxiety. Both of these options contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the cannabis plant, which may make CBD more effective.
Full-spectrum CBD contains up to 0.3% THC, whereas broad-spectrum does not contain this compound. People who wish to avoid consuming THC may prefer broad-spectrum products.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD may be the best type for anxiety. Both of these options contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the cannabis plant, which may make CBD more effective.
Full-spectrum CBD contains up to 0.3% THC, whereas broad-spectrum does not contain this compound. People who wish to avoid consuming THC may prefer broad-spectrum products.
Yes, there is evidence that CBD can help relieve anxiety symptoms.
One study found that CBD helped reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and helped increase the quality of life in the study participants.
Yes, there is evidence that CBD can help relieve anxiety symptoms.
One study found that CBD helped reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and helped increase the quality of life in the study participants.
Yes, there is evidence that CBD affects the nervous system, according to research published in 2020, resulting in a decrease in anxiety symptoms. However, people should not use CBD instead of anxiety medication unless a healthcare professional recommends doing so.
Yes, there is evidence that CBD affects the nervous system, according to research published in 2020, resulting in a decrease in anxiety symptoms. However, people should not use CBD instead of anxiety medication unless a healthcare professional recommends doing so.
People should follow the dosage instructions on the CBD product they buy as there are no official recommendations on what CBD dosage is best for anxiety.
People should follow the dosage instructions on the CBD product they buy as there are no official recommendations on what CBD dosage is best for anxiety.
There are limited scientific studies in humans showing that CBD is effective for depression. However, a 2022 study stated that CBD showed promise in this area.
People should not replace their antidepressant medication with CBD without first discussing it with a doctor.
There are limited scientific studies in humans showing that CBD is effective for depression. However, a 2022 study stated that CBD showed promise in this area.
People should not replace their antidepressant medication with CBD without first discussing it with a doctor.
An ever-growing body of research suggests that CBD may help relieve anxiety, the most common mental health disorder. The best CBD products for anxiety include some CBD gummies and oils.
However, the FDA does not regulate CBD for treating anxiety. This means the quality and dosage of CBD can vary widely between products and manufacturers. People who currently use prescription medication or supplements may want to consult a doctor before using CBD.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
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