Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCBD for Stress ReliefSide EffectsContraindicationsDosage and PreparationWhat to Look For in a CBD ProductFAQ

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

CBD for Stress Relief

Side Effects

Contraindications

Dosage and Preparation

What to Look For in a CBD Product

FAQ

Close

Cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as cannabis, is a plant that contains over 60 compounds known as cannabinoids. Among these compounds iscannabidiol (CBD)which, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), doesn’t produce psychoactive effects.

CBD has become a widely used product over the past several years. The FDA has only approved it in one product to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or tuberous sclerosis complex in patients one year or older. However, research is examining CBD’s impact on various ailments that are psychiatric, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and cancerous in nature.

CBD shows promise in alleviating symptoms of anxiety disorders. In a 2020 review, researchers examined a series of clinical trials, a case series, and a case report.

Optimal Dosage for Stress ReliefDoses varied widely from between 6 mg and 400 mg, participants showed improved clinical outcomes in various anxiety assessment scales. cbd was generally well tolerated.

Optimal Dosage for Stress Relief

Doses varied widely from between 6 mg and 400 mg, participants showed improved clinical outcomes in various anxiety assessment scales. cbd was generally well tolerated.

Symptom Relief in Young People

One trial noted that CBD could lead to symptom relief in young people with treatment-resistant moderate-to-severe anxiety. Thirty-one participants between the ages of 12 and 25 took CBD for twelve weeks, titrating it to a maximum dose of 800 mg. At the conclusion of the study, participants reported significant improvements in anxiety and overall functioning, with no serious adverse effects reported.

CBD can also improve certain measures ofacute stress, such as participants’ heart rate variability (HRV)—a physiological marker of stress.

Of note, participants who went into the study believing that CBD could alleviate their stress did indeed have greater changes in HRV.

Possible Side Effects

Although most people assume that CBD is safe, almost half of those who try it experience side effects. These may include:

Specific side effects and their intensity can vary from person to person based on the amount of CBD taken. It’s best to start with a smaller dose and increase it as you determine your tolerance.

Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Addictive?

There are some cases in which you would want to refrain from consuming CBD oil.

If You Have Allergies

Individuals with allergies to cannabidiol or sesame oil should refrain from using CBD.

A History of Drug and Alcohol Use Disorders

Additionally, those with a history of drug oralcohol abuseshould proceed with caution with CBD. Physicians can assess the risks and benefits of using CBD for individuals with prior or ongoingsubstance use.

If You Already Take Benzodiazepines

Furthermore, those who takebenzodiazepinesto manage symptoms of a mental health condition may need to titrate down on their medications prior to taking CBD. Simultaneous use of CBD and benzodiazepines may cause significant sedation.

Always Speak to Your Doctor First Before Trying a New DrugIndividuals who take CBD with certain medications can experience liver damage. If you are currently taking medications, check with your doctor before starting CBD to ensure there aren’t any potentialdrug reactions.If you are experiencing adverse effects, it’s important to seek medical care immediately.911

Always Speak to Your Doctor First Before Trying a New Drug

Individuals who take CBD with certain medications can experience liver damage. If you are currently taking medications, check with your doctor before starting CBD to ensure there aren’t any potentialdrug reactions.If you are experiencing adverse effects, it’s important to seek medical care immediately.

Individuals who take CBD with certain medications can experience liver damage. If you are currently taking medications, check with your doctor before starting CBD to ensure there aren’t any potentialdrug reactions.

If you are experiencing adverse effects, it’s important to seek medical care immediately.

911

Research suggests that CBD is generally safe in doses up to 600 mg.However,specific dosage tolerancecan vary from individual to individual based on physiological factors (e.g., weight, height, age, overall health) and how long they’ve been using CBD.

Some people may find that 600 mg is too much, while others can tolerate that amount well. Listen to your body and look out for any side effects.

CBD comes in three main forms:

Some individuals may choose to take full-spectrum products due to the “entourage effect.” This is a yet unproven theory that poses different compounds in cannabis work synergistically to create different beneficial effects.Broad-spectrum CBD products can also offer the benefit of multiple cannabinoids, without THC’s psychoactive effects.

Forms of CBD

Furthermore, CBD can be taken in many forms. Some of the most common are:

Everything You Need to Know About Vaping CBD Oil

When you’re in search of a CBD product, look out for the following:

Is Marijuana a Depressant?

Frequently Asked QuestionsThe research on CBD use in pregnancy is very limited. Physicians encourage pregnant and breastfeeding women to abstain from CBD use.Current evidence has only shown to alleviate epilepsy symptoms in children, though some parents administer it for kids’ impulsive behavior, stress, and sleep problems. There is not enough research to support CBD’s benefits versus risks in children.Pure CBD is not likely to show up on drug tests, though hemp products with trace amounts of THC can lead to positive drug test results.

Frequently Asked Questions

The research on CBD use in pregnancy is very limited. Physicians encourage pregnant and breastfeeding women to abstain from CBD use.

Current evidence has only shown to alleviate epilepsy symptoms in children, though some parents administer it for kids’ impulsive behavior, stress, and sleep problems. There is not enough research to support CBD’s benefits versus risks in children.

Pure CBD is not likely to show up on drug tests, though hemp products with trace amounts of THC can lead to positive drug test results.

15 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Library of Medicine.Cannabidiol (CBD)

Lu HC, Mackie K.Review of the Endocannabinoid System.Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging.2021 Jun;6(6):607-615. doi: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.07.016.

Skelley JW, Deas CM,Curren Z, Ennis J. Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders.J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2020 Jan-Feb;60(1):253-261. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2019.11.008.

Berger M, Li E, Rice S, Davey CG, Ratheesh A, Adams S, Jackson H, Hetrick S, Parker A, Spelman T, Kevin R, McGregor IS, McGorry P, Amminger GP.Cannabidiol for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders in Young People: An Open-Label Trial.J Clin Psychiatry.2022 Aug 3;83(5):21m14130. doi: 10.4088/JCP.21m14130.

Spinella TC, Stewart SH, Naugler J, Yakovenko I, Barrett SP.Evaluating cannabidiol (CBD) expectancy effects on acute stress and anxiety in healthy adults: a randomized crossover study.Psychopharmacology (Berl).2021 Jul;238(7):1965-1977. doi: 10.1007/s00213-021-05823-w.

Brown J, Winterstein A.Potential adverse drug events and drug–drug interactions with medical and consumer cannabidiol (Cbd) use.JCM. 2019;8(7):989.

Ali S, Scheffer IE, Sadleir LG.Efficacy of cannabinoids in paediatric epilepsy.Dev Med Child Neurol.2019 Jan;61(1):13-18. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14087.

Brown JD, Winterstein AG.Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug-Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use.J Clin Med.2019 Jul 8;8(7):989. doi: 10.3390/jcm8070989.

Welty TE, Luebke A, Gidal BE. Cannabidiol:Promise and Pitfalls.Epilepsy Currents.2014;14(5). doi: https://doi.org/10.5698/1535-7597-14.5.250

Piomelli D.Waiting for the Entourage.Cannabis Cannabinoid Res.2019 Sep 23;4(3):137-138. doi: 10.1089/can.2019.29014.dpi.

Evans DG.Medical Fraud, Mislabeling, Contamination: All Common in CBD Products.Mo Med.2020 Sep-Oct;117(5):394-399.

Freedman DA, Patel AD.Inadequate Regulation Contributes to Mislabeled Online Cannabidiol Products.Pediatr Neurol Briefs.2018 Jun 18;32:3. doi: 10.15844/pedneurbriefs-32-3.

Badowski S, Smith G.Cannabis use during pregnancy and postpartum.Can Fam Physician.2020 Feb;66(2):98-103.

Wolff D, Reijneveld SA.CBD-olie bij kinderen [Use of cannabidiol oil in children].Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd.2019 May 3;163:D3145.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?