Research shows CBD has ‘positive impact’ on anxiety and stress

A two-year research review has shown CBD to have a significant positive impact on anxiety and stress.

There are many pressing questions about CBD. How effective is it? How much should I take? What conditions will it help? 

A new study — the first meta-analysis by a nutritional supplements company on cannabinoids— aims to shed some light on those questions. 

The report was produced by Florida-based Nutrition Formulators and published in the peer-reviewed Innovare Journal of Medical Science. 

Examining worldwide clinical papers from 2019 and 2020, this is what researchers found: 

Anxiety & Stress 

In a review of 76 articles spanning the past two years, more than 70 percent of cannabidiol (CBD) research on anxiety and stress showed positive outcomes. 

The meta-analysis focused on CBD isolate and grouped the research into several categories, including CBD impacts on depression, sleep, panic attacks, dementia, inflammation, metabolism, behavior, Parkinson’s disease, and psychiatric illnesses. Human and animal studies were both included in the review.

Dr. Marcelo Ferro, lead author and biochemist with Nutrition Formulators said: “After spending 10 months reviewing the research, I was surprised at how many people with anxiety and depression could be helped by incorporating CBD into their lives, but I was also aware how important it is to do more research, especially on the impact of CBD on liver function.”

When looking at anxiety, the studies show that CBD reduces anticipator anxiety, such as speaking in public by affecting the part of the brain that processes emotional information. 

Depression

The analysis also showed a 66.6 percent positive improvement for clinicians using CBD as an alternative treatment for depression.

Dosage

One of the larger questions which the study explored, was how much CBD should be used. 

The dosing in the reports varied widely from 50mg to 600mg daily dosing. Much more research is needed on CBD’s side-effect impact on liver function as well as the how CBD interacts in the body. In addition, the study’s authors cited the need for larger population trials that would achieve a statistically significant measure.

“This is just a stepping-stone to understanding more about the amazing CBD compound, how it may be helpful to so many, but also what additional information we need to know so that people can use it as safely as possible,” said Adolfo Graubard, Nutrition Formulators, CEO. 

“So many of our CBD business clients are looking for research-based information to educate their customers, this report is a step in that direction.”

NFI is currently working on additional CBD studies focusing on neuroinflammation and autism in partnership with several research institutions.