CBD is effective in treating anxiety, depression and poor sleep, study finds

New industry-backed research into the potential anti-anxiety effects of cannabidiol found that a CBD oral solution effectively treated mild to moderate anxiety, as well as associated depression and poor sleep quality, with no adverse effects observed serious.

“Our findings show that the administration of 300-600 mg of oral nanodispersible CBD solution for 12 weeks is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety disorders and depression disorders and related sleep quality,” the authors write. “These findings are consistent with the growing body of evidence showing that CBD can have anxiolytic effects if administered for a longer duration, ranging from 4 to 12 weeks.”

The report, published this month in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, was written by a seven-person research team from Asha Hospital and Leiutis Pharmaceuticals LLP, both in India, and New Jersey-based Biophore Pharma Inc. All authors, says the paper. participated “as employees or consultants of Leiutis Pharmaceuticals,” which funded the study.

The use of CBD solution “showed therapeutic efficacy, excellent safety and tolerability in the treatment of not only mild to moderate anxiety disorders (primary endpoint of the study) but also depression and disturbances in sleep quality (secondary endpoint of the study) ),” the paper says, “with no incidence of withdrawal anxiety after dose reduction at the end of treatment.”

“CBD oral solution was effective in treating mild to moderate anxiety.”

“Our research supports the importance of investigating the potential effectiveness of nanodispersible CBD oral solution in the treatment of other forms of psychiatric disorders,” the authors write, “and exploring its potential applications in clinical practice.”

Study participants were allocated to either a CBD or control group. Those in the CBD group received 300 milligrams of CBD per day at the beginning, which was increased over time to 600 mg per day and later reduced to 150 mg per day at the end of the study period. Those in the control group received a placebo.

A test of generalized anxiety disorder, the GAD-7, found decreases in anxiety markers among participants who received CBD compared to the placebo group. Mean scores “gradually decreased in the CBD group from week 2 (visit 4), which continued through week 13,” the study says, noting that “the mean GAD-7 score for the CBD arm at baseline was 11.8±1.52 and the result at the end of treatment (visit-9) was 4.8±1.60, at visit-10 (dose taper) it was 3.7±1.27 and at the end of the study (visit-11) it was 3.1± 1.06.”

Among those who received the placebo, mean anxiety scores were almost unchanged. “The mean GAD-7 score (SD) for the placebo arm at baseline (visit-3) was 11.2±1.43 and the end-of-treatment score (visit-9) was 11.8±1.73, at Visit-10 (dose continuation) it was 11.8±1.72, and study completion (visit-11) was 11.8±1.75,” the report states.

Another test, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), found similar decreases in measures of anxiety in CBD participants compared to the placebo group.

“CBD was therapeutically safe with no serious adverse effects, well tolerated, and effective for the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety disorders, as well as associated depression and sleep quality disorders.”

“The mean HAM-A score for the CBD arm at baseline (visit-3) was 18.9±2.62 and the end-of-treatment score (visit-9) was 7.34±1.77, at visit-10 ( continuation of the dose) was 5.83±1.67, and at the end of the study (visit-11) it was 4.57±1.39”, says the study, while “the mean score of HAM-A (SD) for the placebo at baseline was 18.2±2.75 and end of treatment score was 18.9±2.75, at Visit-10 (reduced dose) was 19.0±2.84, and end of study (visit-11) was 18.9± 2.95.”

Participants in the CBD group also had their doses reduced near the end of the study period and saw no immediate increase in their anxiety.

“At Visit 10 (Week 12), the drug was reduced to 150 mg/day,” the report states, “and at the end of the study, at Visit 11 (Week 13), there was no increase in anxiety scores.”

A separate study published earlier this year found that a compound in marijuana, the terpene D-limonene, can help ease the anxiety and paranoia associated with the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. This study found that subjects who vaped limonene along with a dose of THC experienced less anxiety and paranoia compared to those who consumed THC alone.

Another substance, similar to the psychedelic LSD, was also granted breakthrough therapy status by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. The maker of the drug behind the substance, known as MM120, said at the time that it plans to hold an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA in the first half of 2024 and begin a Phase 3 clinical trial in the second half of of the year.

According to a media representative for the drug’s manufacturer, MindMed, MM120 is “a tartrate salt form of lysergide, a synthetic drug commonly known as LSD.”

The discovery determination is the latest in a series of developments surrounding psychedelic-based therapies. Late last year, the FDA gave priority status to the review of MDMA-assisted therapy as a potential treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The agency has set a target date of August 11 to make a determination, according to applicant Lykos Therapeutics (formerly MAPS Public Benefit Corporation).

If the new drug application is ultimately approved, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will have to reschedule MDMA accordingly. It would become the first psychedelic in history to be approved as a pharmaceutical drug, to be administered alongside talk therapy and other support services.

As for CBD and anxiety, a separate study earlier this year found that dogs given daily doses of CBD saw “significant reductions” in stress and anxiety related to car rides.

All 20 dogs in that study, published in the Journal of Animal Science, showed signs of stress and anxiety when riding in a car, but dogs treated with CBD two hours before starting the journey showed significant improvements over a 24- weekly.

Study shows that using cannabis before bed does not impair next-day cognitive ability or driving performance

Photo courtesy of Kimzy Nanney.