Share on PinterestResearchers believe that cannabidiol (CBD) could be an effective treatment for anxiety in some people. Merve Betül Karakus/EyeEm/Getty ImagesMany young people have anxiety, which interferes with their ability to go about their daily lives.Treatment for anxiety includes a variety of approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy and sometimes the use of medication. A recent pilot study found that cannabidiol (CBD), the non-mind-altering part of cannabis, almost halved chronic anxiety symptoms in young people.The study adds to existing research suggesting that CBD could be a successful treatment option for youth with treatment-resistant anxiety.
Everyone experiences some level of anxiety. However, experiencing too much anxiety can affect people’s ability to cope with and overcome day-to-day challenges. Treatment for anxiety may include the use of certain medications and counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy.
A recent to study published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that cannabidiol could be a safe treatment for anxiety in young people who have not responded well to other types of therapy.
anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes, “For people with an anxiety disorder, anxiety doesn’t go away and can get worse over time. Symptoms can interfere with daily activities, such as work performance, schoolwork, and relationships.”
Dr. Lewis JasseyLeafwell’s chief medical officer, who was not involved in the study, explained the impact of anxiety.
“Anxiety can lead to physical and mental problems. Anxiety is often comorbid with depression, with more than 70% of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in their lifetime also having major depressive disorder (MDD ). [F]Also, being under constant stress and anxiety can lead to a dampened immune system, which can increase the likelihood of infection,” she told Medical News Today.
“Panic attacks, irritability, headaches, muscle aches, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, breathing problems, upset stomach, insomnia, and chronic fatigue are common effects of anxiety.”
— Dr. Lewis Jassey
Treating anxiety often involves approaching the problem from multiple angles.
For example, a doctor may prescribe certain medications to help improve symptoms. Treatment may also include psychotherapy, which involves evaluating and changing thought patterns to help reduce anxiety. People with anxiety may also benefit from support groups or stress management techniques.
Sometimes people do not respond well to these treatments and still experience high levels of anxiety. Therefore, experts are examining additional and alternative treatment methods that may be effective.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the portion of cannabis that does not have mind-altering effects. The study was an open trial involving 31 people between the ages of 12 and 25. All participants met criteria for a DSM-5 Anxiety Disorder and had not experienced improvement in anxiety from previous interventions.
For twelve weeks, participants received the additional CBD treatment, with doses increased up to 800 mg/day as needed.
Overall, participants experienced a greater than 40% reduction in anxiety severity based on General severity of anxiety and Impairment Scale (OASIS). Participants also experienced improved social and work functioning and decreased depressive symptoms.
The study results indicate a possible treatment option for anxiety in people who have not responded well to other types of treatment.
While discussing the conclusions of the studyauthor of the study Professor Paul Amminger explained:
“There is a lot of hope that a new benign compound, like cannabidiol, can alleviate mental health problems. I think the most exciting finding of the study was that the severity of anxiety, which was moderate to very severe, it was down 50% at the end of the trial.”
Study author Emily Li further noted:
“A lot of people complained [a] decrease in tension. They have reported that they generally feel more relaxed. They reported[ fewer] panic symptoms They also communicated a sense of calm.”
“Others have reported that because of the effect of CBD, they may no longer need to use illicit substances to self-medicate,” he added.
This study opens the door to further research into cannabidiol as a treatment option for people with severe anxiety.
However, the study had a limited sample size and lasted only twelve weeks. This indicates the need for studies that include more participants and a longer follow-up time.
Participants also reported some side effects of CBD use, such as low mood, fatigue, chills, and hot flashes, but there were no major adverse events. Further long-term research could also monitor participants for any additional side effects of CBD use.
A placebo effect?
The authors also noted that a placebo effect was possible, so further research should include a randomized control trial.
“Our trial was open and uncontrolled, so casual inferences about the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) relative to other influences (eg, the placebo effect) cannot be made with certainty,” said the Professor Amminger.
However, he also noted that the data that supported it was not a placebo effect:
“However, given that the patients included in this trial were some of the most severely treatment-resistant with significant functional impairment who had multiple failed treatment attempts prior to their participation in our trial, the observed reduction in severity of anxiety suggests that cannabidiol has clinically significant anxiolytic effects. However, randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of CBD.”
As research continues, researchers hope to discover more effective treatments for anxiety. Dr. Jassey is optimistic about the findings of this current study and believes that research into cannabidiol as a treatment option is promising.
“This study shows that young people reduced anxiety by up to 50%, including feeling more relaxed and using less illicit substances for self-medication,” he said.
“Treatment with cannabidiol (CBD) is very promising. For 50% of people, antidepressant drugs do not work, and it takes several weeks of regular intake to find out whether they really work or not. Young people, in particular, are may benefit, as CBD is much more tolerable and has less impact on the body than antidepressants, especially the harder ones prescribed for treatment-resistant anxiety.”
— Dr. Lewis Jassey