The Fast Facts
- While some people may find CBD effective for anxiety, it may not work the same for everyone.
- Our testers tried CBD gummies, oils, and topicals to find the best CBD for anxiety that worked for them.
- CBDfx Broad Spectrum Mixed Berry CBD Gummies and CBDistillery Ahh Distilled Full Spectrum CBD Oil are some top choices from our testers.
Many people consider using cannabidiol (CBD) to manage anxiety symptoms. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, affecting
Keep reading to learn about the relationship between CBD and anxiety, including research into the benefits of CBD, how to use it, risks and safety, and CBD products to try for different anxiety symptoms.
CBD may interact with anti-anxiety medications
According to Dr. Alexander Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh, “Currently, there needs to be more research done to fully establish how CBD interacts with anti-anxiety medications. However, there are some studies that show that CBD may affect how certain medications are metabolized in our body.
“This may increase the effectiveness of your anti-anxiety medication, which could increase the possibility of experiencing side effects. It’s important to mention to your primary care provider (PCP) as they can help you decide if CBD is a safe and possible option for you.”
Our reviewers may have received products from manufacturers for free, which does not influence their reviews. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
The following table compares the products in this article in terms of usage, price, and more.
| CBD | CBD type and form | Amount of CBD | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBDfx Mixed Berry Gummies | • full-spectrum • gummies | • 1,500 mg to 6,000 mg per bottle • 25 mg to 100 mg per gummy | from $54.99 |
| CBDistillery Oil | • full-spectrum • oil | • 500 to 5,000 mg per bottle • from 17 mg per 1 mL | from $35 |
| Sunday Scaries Gummies | • full-spectrum • gummies | • 500 mg per bottle • 25 mg per gummy | $49 |
| CBDfx Bath Bombs | • isolate • topical | • 200 mg per bath bomb | $9.99 |
| Nuleaf Naturals CBD Oil | • full-spectrum • oil | • 300 mg to 6,000 mg per bottle • 60 mg per mL | from $24 |
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has vetted hundreds of CBD brands and products. As part of our vetting process, we consider criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. These include:
- the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
To select the products featured on this page, we first reviewed all products that passed our vetting process. Then, we narrowed them down with first-hand testing. Each product featured here was found by our testers to be beneficial for anxiety. This includes products that may help relieve symptoms of anxiety, such as 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.
Read more about our product vetting process and how we review CBD products.
The growing legalization of cannabis in the United States has prompted many scientists to study the various therapeutic uses of cannabis and CBD, including in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
In a small
Most study participants received one 25-mg CBD capsule per day. A few participants received 50 or 75 mg per day. One individual with a history of trauma and schizoaffective disorder received up to 175 mg daily.
After the first 2 months of CBD treatment, 78.1% of participants reported improvements in anxiety symptoms. However, 19.5% developed worse symptoms after CBD treatment.
Additionally, the authors of a 2020 review analyzed 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:
In a
All groups reported improvements in their overall quality of life after 3 weeks of CBD treatment. Participants who received CBD treatment for anxiety or depression reported they experienced improvements in their ability to perform daily functions and reduced pain and anxiety or depression symptoms.
From that research, 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 proportion of the study population (0.8%) reported worsening symptoms, a larger proportion (15%) reported 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.
CBD and mental health
To learn more about how CBD affects mental health conditions, read our articles on:
Researchers and healthcare professionals have yet to establish standardized CBD dosing recommendations for therapy. While a 2024 study found that 300 to 600 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in 57 adult males, Nguyen suggests starting much lower, especially for people new to CBD.
“The typical starting CBD dose can range between 20 to 50 mg per day. However, the best dose for you will vary based on your specific needs,” he said. “Everyone will have different tolerability levels, so it is difficult to say what is the best dose. Again, it is important to start low and go slow until you find the most appropriate amount that works best for you.”
Additionally, the administration method can determine how quickly cannabinoids begin taking effect.
The effects of orally administered CBD, such as oils, edibles (like gummies), or capsules, typically begin to take effect within 30 minutes to 2 hours. Smoking or vaping CBD oil or cannabis buds results in more immediate effects.
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 2020 study found that CBD helped reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and helped increase the quality of life in the study participants.
However, that doesn’t mean it works the same for everyone. Some people may feel that CBD is more effective in helping them manage symptoms of anxiety than others.
Yes, there is evidence that CBD affects the nervous system, according to 2020 research, 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 need to follow the dosage instructions on the CBD product they buy, as there are no official recommendations on what dosage is best for anxiety. Those new to CBD can also start on a lower dose to see how their body reacts to it. They can then gradually increase the dose until they get their desired effect.
There are limited scientific studies in humans showing that CBD is effective for depression.
People should not replace their antidepressant medication with CBD without first discussing it with a doctor.
An ever-growing body of research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may help relieve anxiety, one of the most common mental health disorders. The best CBD products for anxiety include some CBD gummies and oils.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (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.