Recently, a new industry-supported study addressing the potential anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol CBD found that oral CBD solution was effective in treating mild to moderate anxiety disorders, as well as associated depression and poor sleep quality, with no serious adverse events observed.

The study authors noted, "Our findings suggest that taking 300-600 mg of nanodispersed CBD oral solution for 12 weeks can be effective in treating mild to moderate anxiety disorders, as well as associated depression and sleep disorders. These findings are consistent with a growing body of evidence suggesting that CBD may have anxiolytic effects if taken for longer periods of time, ranging from 4 to 12 weeks.

The report, published this month in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, was written by a seven-member team of researchers from India's Asha Hospital, Leiutis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Biophore Pharma Inc. of New Jersey, USA. The paper states that all of the authors participated in the study "as employees or consultants of the pharmaceutical company" and that the research was funded by the company.

The paper notes that the use of the CBD solution "demonstrated positive therapeutic effects, excellent safety and tolerability not only in the treatment of mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders (the primary goal of the study), but also in the treatment of associated depression and sleep quality disorders (the secondary goal of the study), with no withdrawal anxiety when the dose was reduced at the end of treatment. "

The authors write, "Our study supports the exploration of the potential effectiveness of nano-dispersible CBD oral solutions in the treatment of other forms of psychiatric disorders and explores the possibility of their application in clinical practice."

Volunteers were divided into either a CBD group or a control group. Members of the CBD group initially took 300 mg of CBD per day, which was gradually increased over time to 600 mg per day and then reduced to 150 mg per day at the end of the study period. Members of the control group were given a placebo.

The study found that the Generalised Anxiety Disorder GAD-7 test found that anxiety indicators decreased in the group taking CBD compared to the placebo group. "Mean scores in the CBD group gradually declined from week 2 (visit 4) and continued through week 13," the study said. The data showed that "the mean GAD-7 score for the CBD group was 11.8 ± 1.52 at baseline, 4.8 ± 1.60 at the end of treatment (visit 9), 3.7 ± 1.27 at visit 10 (dose tapering), and 3.1 ± 1.06 at the end of the study (visit 11). "

There was little change in mean anxiety scores among those taking placebo. The report states, "Mean GAD-7 scores (SD) in the placebo group were 11.2 ± 1.43 at baseline (visit 3), 11.8 ± 1.73 at the end of treatment (visit 9), 11.8 ± 1.72 at visit 10 (dose tapering), and 11.8 at the end of the study (visit 11) ± 1.75."

According to another test, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), a similar decrease in anxiety indicators was found in members of the CBD group compared to the placebo group.

The findings suggest that "CBD is therapeutically safe, has no serious adverse events, is well tolerated, and is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety disorders as well as associated depression and sleep quality disorders."

The study says, "The mean Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) score in the CBD group at baseline (visit 3) was 18.9 ± 2.62, the 7.34±1.77 at the end of treatment (visit 9), 5.83±1.67 at visit 10 (dose taper), and 4.57±1.39 at the end of the study (visit 11)."

And "The mean HAM-A score (SD) in the placebo group was 18.2±2.75 at baseline, 18.9±2.75 at the end of treatment, 19.0±2.84 at visit 10 (dose tapering), and 18.9±2.95 at the end of the study (visit 11).

CBD group members did not observe an immediate increase in anxiety towards the end of the study period and when the dose was reduced. The report states, "At visit 10 (week 12), the CBD dose was tapered to 150 mg/day. There was no increase in anxiety scores at the end of the study, at visit 11 (week 13)."