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The effects of cannabidiol on worry and anxiety among high trait worriers: a double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial

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Abstract

Rationale

Evidence suggests cannabidiol (CBD) displays broad therapeutic potential in the context of anxiety; however, no study has examined the effects of CBD on worry, a defining, cognitive feature of anxiety. Additionally, no study has examined the effects of an acute, single dose of CBD compared to repeated CBD administration.

Objectives

Within a sample of 63 individuals with elevated trait worry, the current study aimed to assess the effects of an empirically-derived high dose of CBD (i.e., 300mg) compared to a commercially-derived dose of CBD (i.e., 50mg) versus placebo on worry severity and anxiety symptoms after an acute dose and after a 2-week administration period.

Results

Results indicated no effect of acute CBD dosing on worry severity or anxiety symptoms. Repeated CBD administration similarly did not impact worry severity; however, 300mg of CBD reduced anxiety symptoms across the 2-week administration period compared to placebo.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings suggest 300mg of oral CBD does not attenuate cognitive symptoms of anxiety (i.e., worry), following both acute and repeated administration. Some evidence for repeated administration of 300mg on physical symptoms of anxiety was obtained. Findings from the current study suggest CBD’s modest anxiolytic effects may be specific to the physical aspects of anxious arousal.

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Acknowledgements

Thank you to Dr. Huda Sheraf for serving as the onsite medical consultant. Additional thanks to undergraduate research assistants: Sydney Woychesin, Logan Denmon, Ashley Miller, Danielle Fernandez, Isabelle Escobar, Kathryn Niestoeckle, and Zoey Lewis.

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  1. University of Arkansas, 216 Memorial Hall, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA

    L. Riley Gournay, Morgan L. Ferretti, Emily Vance, Anna Marie Nguyen, Eric Mann, Parker Williams & Ellen W. Leen-Feldner

  2. University of Mississippi, Oxford, USA

    Sarah Bilsky

  3. Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, USA

    Eric Mann

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Correspondence to L. Riley Gournay.

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Conflict of interest

The first author (L. Riley Gournay) was the principal investigator of this study and recipient of study funding from Canopy Growth Corporation. At the time data were collected for the study, the last author’s (Ellen Leen-Feldner) partner (Matthew Feldner) was employed by Canopy Growth Corporation. A conflict of interest management plan was established prior to study commencement and adhered to across the duration of the study. Notably, neither Dr. Feldner nor Canopy Growth Corporation played any role in the study design, execution, analysis, or dissemination of findings.

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Gournay, L.R., Ferretti, M.L., Bilsky, S. et al. The effects of cannabidiol on worry and anxiety among high trait worriers: a double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial. Psychopharmacology 240, 2147–2161 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-023-06437-0

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