Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series (Research)

The 2019 study spearheaded by the Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Denver confirms what many of us in the cannabis industry know from anecdotal patient claims. CBD, for many, decreases anxiety and allows consumers to sleep better. There’s still much research to be done on how cannabidiol does it's job to calm anxiety, but one thing we do know by patient input and even study is that there's many reasons it does this. The framework for current clinical trials of CBD has been established by prior research. Let's go over some of what led up to this amazing clinical trial that found CBD to be effective in creating a positive sleep pattern that lasted for most patients and reduced anxiety at an even better rate.

A small 2010 study found that cannabidiol could reduce symptoms of social anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Brain scans of participants revealed changes in blood flow to the regions of the brain linked to feelings of anxiety.In this study, cannabidiol not only made participants feel better but also changed the way their brains responded to anxiety .A 2011 study also found that cannabidiol could reduce social anxiety. For that study, researchers looked specifically at cannabidiol to treat anxiety associated with public speaking. Research published in 2014 found that CBD oil had anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in an animal model. 2015 analysis of previous studies concluded that CBD oil is a promising treatment for numerous forms of anxiety, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. And there's quite a bit more. As we analyze the existing research we see the groundwork laid for clinical trials such as this impressive work done in Denver.

"Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series"

Scott Shannon, MD,1 Nicole Lewis, ND,2 Heather Lee, PA-C,3 and Shannon Hughes, PhD 4 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Denver2Department of Naturopathic Medicine, Wholeness Center, Fort Collins, CO3North Range Behavioral Health, Greeley, CO4School of Social Work, Colorado State University College of Health and Human Sciences, Fort CollinsAbstract:Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis. It does not appear to alter consciousness or trigger a "high." A recent surge in scientific publications has found preclinical and clinical evidence documenting value for CBD in some neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Evidence points toward a calming effect for CBD in the central nervous system. Interest in CBD as a treatment of a wide range of disorders has exploded, yet few clinical studies of CBD exist in the psychiatric literature.OBJECTIVE:To determine whether CBD helps improve sleep and/or anxiety in a clinical population.DESIGN:A large retrospective case series at a psychiatric clinic involving clinical application of CBD for anxiety and sleep complaints as an adjunct to usual treatment. The retrospective chart review included monthly documentation of anxiety and sleep quality in 103 adult patients.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Sleep and anxiety scores, using validated instruments, at baseline and after CBD treatment.RESULTS:The final sample consisted of 72 adults presenting with primary concerns of anxiety (n = 47) or poor sleep (n = 25). Anxiety scores decreased within the first month in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained decreased during the study duration. Sleep scores improved within the first month in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated over time. In this chart review, CBD was well tolerated in all but 3 patients.CONCLUSION:Cannabidiol may hold benefit for anxiety-related disorders. Controlled clinical studies are needed.Read the whole study: http://www.thepermanentejournal.org/issues/2019/winter/6960-cannabis.html —–

Thank you for reading,

Mike Robinson, Founder, GCRC