Some of the best cannabidiol (CBD) oils for anxiety have consumer and scientific research backing their ingredients and effectiveness. We look at five of the best options through clinical vetting and hands-on reviews.
- Best CBD oil for gentle relaxation: CBDistillery Ahhh Distilled Full Spectrum CBD Oil, 500 mg | Skip to review
- Best CBD oil with anxiety-reducing ingredients: Joy Organics Broad Spectrum CBD Oil, Tranquil Mint | Skip to review
Medical News Today has tested some of the CBD oils below. Reviewers may have received some oils from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
The following table compares the CBD oils in this article for CBD strength, price, and more.
| Product | CBD type and strength | Price |
|---|---|---|
CBDistillery | full-spectrum: 500 mg (17 mg per serving) | $45 |
Joy Organics | broad-spectrum: 450 to 2,250 mg (30 to 75 mg per serving) | $59.95 to $99.95 |
Lazarus Naturals | full spectrum: 1,500 to 6,000 mg (50 mg per serving) | $39.99 to $119.99 |
Medterra | CBD isolate: 500 to 6,000 mg (16 mg to 100 mg per serving) | $39.99 to $199.99 |
Bluebird Botanicals | full spectrum: 1,200 mg (10 mg per serving) | $69.95 |
We selected these CBD oils for anxiety based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- 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
There are several things a person needs to consider when selecting a CBD product for themselves, including:
- Testing: Third-party testing means a CBD company has sent its product to an accredited lab to test for quality. The manufacturer then makes the testing results publicly available through a certificate of analysis (COA). People can compare this with the product information.
- Strength: Those newer to CBD may need to start at a lower dose than those familiar. They can gradually increase their dose over time to get their desired effect. However, they should not exceed the recommended dosage on the product packaging.
- Side effects: Some CBD products may make people feel sleepy. Someone whose anxiety primarily affects them during the day when they are busy may want to look for a low potency CBD product that may make them less drowsy.
- Spectrum: The different CBD spectrums will contain different ingredients. Those wishing to avoid THC need to use isolate products. Broad-spectrum and full-spectrum can both contain THC and will also have different effects. Full-spectrum can produce an entourage effect, which is when all the phytocannabinoids and terpenes work together.
- Cost: CBD oils can be expensive. A person needs to consider how effective their chosen product will be for anxiety and consider other, well-researched treatments if they are not sure.
Learn more about buying CBD.
Research is ongoing into CBD’s potential to treat anxiety and depression, along with a host of other conditions.
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After treatment with CBD, 79% of the participants experienced decreased anxiety levels, and 66.7% saw improved sleep scores. However, these scores fluctuated over time.
Scientists must still conduct large-scale clinical trials to confirm the effective dosages for specific conditions.
Learn more about research into CBD dosages.
A small 2020 review confirms this, with the authors stating that CBD has a promising role as an alternative therapy for anxiety, but more studies with standardized dosing are necessary. The studies in this review noted that CBD could help reduce anxiety in GAD and seasonal affective disorder.
However, they found that the participants tolerated CBD well and reported minimal adverse effects, such as fatigue and sedation.
Researchers in a 2024 systematic review noted that many of the reviewed studies showed that CBD caused a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms across several anxiety disorders. However, the authors still note that larger-scale studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
Learn more about CBD and anxiety.
The most suitable CBD dose will differ among individuals according to the severity of their symptoms, their physiology, and their tolerance for CBD. CBD manufacturers often recommend starting with the minimum dose and increasing it gradually if necessary. However, people should not exceed the dose that the company has stated on the product packaging.
Conclusions in research vary concerning the best CBD dose to ease anxiety.
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However, in a 2019 test, researchers compared the efficacy of three CBD isolate doses, 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg, on participants who showed anxiety symptoms during public speaking. Researchers reported that 300 mg of CBD significantly reduced participants’ anxiety during the speech, but the 150 mg and 600 mg doses did not.
These doses may not be suitable for everyone, and a person should discuss CBD dosing with a healthcare professional knowledgeable about CBD before trying it.
Other trials suggest that a much lower dose can be effective in treating anxiety. For instance, researchers have found that doses of
Research reports that CBD has a
Generally, experts believe that people
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite
- unintentional weight loss or weight gain
A person should always talk with a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before taking any new supplement, including CBD. This is especially true if somebody is taking medication, as CBD products
According to the
Individuals taking CBD may wish to avoid taking CBD along with high fat meals. According to a
Some
CBD dosages can affect people in different ways, and a person should consider starting with a lower dosage. They can then increase it until they find the level that is most effective for them.
A 2019 case study showed that 79.2% of participants with anxiety found their anxiety decreased with 25 mg of CBD during the first month of taking it.
Oils, gummies, and capsules start working within 2 hours. Taking CBD daily or a couple of hours before an event that might make a person anxious, such as public speaking, may be the best way to use these types of CBD.
The FDA has not approved the use of CBD for any mental health condition, and there is limited research into CBD’s benefits on anxiety. However, early research suggests it may help. As such, doctors may not always recommend CBD oil for anxiety and may prefer to prescribe or suggest FDA-approved and well-researched medications and treatments. People wishing to try CBD oil for anxiety can consult a doctor.
How quickly CBD works will depend on the dosage, a person’s physiology, how often they take CBD, what they have eaten, and more. Whether it works for anxiety will also depend on these factors, including the severity of a person’s anxiety and any medication they take for the condition.
The Arthritis Foundation claims that individuals can feel the effects of oral CBD in 15 to 45 minutes. However, this does not refer to anxiety specifically.
People who are new to CBD need to start with a low dose and work up to get their desired effect. The level of CBD that will be effective for reducing anxiety will differ between individuals.
There is no research to suggest that one form of CBD is better than another for anxiety.
It is easier to measure the CBD dose with CBD gummies, but oil offers more flexibility, allowing users to tailor their dose to the amount of anxiety relief they want.
The efficacy of CBD oil for anxiety will vary between individuals.
One 2021 study found that some participants experienced a reduction in symptoms when they expected the oil to have an effect, even when taking a placebo.
However, a 2019 study concludes that CBD oil significantly reduced anxiety-related symptoms in individuals with social anxiety disorder.
While cannabidiol (CBD) brands claim that CBD oils can help people manage stress, sleep better, and reduce anxiety, much more research is necessary to confirm the benefits and safety of CBD for anxiety. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also does not regulate CBD and has not approved it for any mental health condition. Rules regarding CBD use differ in all 50 U.S. states.
Those considering using CBD oil for anxiety need to consider the side effects and any drug interactions it may cause. Speaking with a doctor before trying CBD products for mental health conditions is essential.
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.
