Comprehensive review of CBD for epilepsy, anxiety, schizophrenia, and addiction
CBD showed anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and anti-addictive properties in preclinical and limited clinical studies, but well-powered controlled trials were lacking for all indications.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
This landmark review by leading researchers summarized the evidence for CBD across multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. Key findings by indication:
Epilepsy: CBD was anticonvulsant in most animal models. Human evidence was limited to small, uncontrolled studies and anecdotal reports. The antiepileptic mechanisms were not fully understood but involved multiple receptor and channel targets. Trials targeting Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes were being planned.
Anxiety and psychosis: Preclinical and early clinical evidence supported anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties. CBD appeared well tolerated without the psychoactive effects of THC.
Addiction: Early evidence suggested CBD might reduce drug-seeking behavior through effects on multiple neurotransmitter systems.
Across all conditions, the review concluded that well-powered, double-blind, randomized controlled trials were needed.
Key Numbers
Multiple receptor targets identified for CBD anticonvulsant effects. CBD appeared well tolerated in available human data. No well-powered RCTs existed for any CBD indication at the time of publication.
How They Did This
Expert review summarizing presentations from a scientific conference where invited participants reviewed CBD physiology, mechanisms of action, pharmacology, animal model data, and human studies.
Why This Research Matters
This review, published in the leading epilepsy journal by an author team that included key figures in subsequent CBD clinical development, established the scientific framework that guided the clinical trial program leading to FDA approval of Epidiolex.
The Bigger Picture
This paper marked a turning point in cannabinoid medicine: the moment when the scientific community formally acknowledged sufficient preclinical evidence to justify rigorous human testing of CBD. The subsequent clinical trials confirmed anticonvulsant efficacy and led to regulatory approval.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Available human evidence was small-scale and methodologically limited. CBD mechanisms of action were not fully characterized. Drug interactions with antiepileptic medications were unknown. Long-term safety data were lacking.
Questions This Raises
- ?Most questions raised by this review have since been partially answered: CBD proved effective for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Questions about optimal dosing, drug interactions, and long-term effects continue to be studied.?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- CBD showed therapeutic potential across epilepsy, anxiety, psychosis, and addiction
- Evidence Grade:
- Expert review by leading researchers synthesizing preclinical and limited clinical evidence. Subsequent trials confirmed the epilepsy indication.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2014. CBD (Epidiolex) received FDA approval for epilepsy in 2018.
- Original Title:
- Cannabidiol: pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Published In:
- Epilepsia, 55(6), 791-802 (2014)
- Authors:
- Devinsky, Orrin(9), Cilio, Maria Roberta(5), Cross, Helen, Fernandez-Ruiz, Javier, French, Jacqueline, Hill, Charlotte, Katz, Russell, Di Marzo, Vincenzo, Jutras-Aswad, Didier, Notcutt, William George, Martinez-Orgado, Jose, Robson, Philip J, Rohrback, Brian G, Thiele, Elizabeth, Whalley, Benjamin, Friedman, Daniel
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00791
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions might CBD help treat?
This review identified evidence for anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and anti-addictive properties. CBD has since received FDA approval for two forms of epilepsy. Evidence for other conditions continues to develop.
Is CBD the same as medical marijuana?
No. CBD is one of many compounds in cannabis and does not produce psychoactive effects. This review specifically evaluated pure CBD, distinct from whole-plant cannabis products that also contain THC.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00791APA
Devinsky, Orrin; Cilio, Maria Roberta; Cross, Helen; Fernandez-Ruiz, Javier; French, Jacqueline; Hill, Charlotte; Katz, Russell; Di Marzo, Vincenzo; Jutras-Aswad, Didier; Notcutt, William George; Martinez-Orgado, Jose; Robson, Philip J; Rohrback, Brian G; Thiele, Elizabeth; Whalley, Benjamin; Friedman, Daniel. (2014). Cannabidiol: pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders.. Epilepsia, 55(6), 791-802. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12631
MLA
Devinsky, Orrin, et al. "Cannabidiol: pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders.." Epilepsia, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12631
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabidiol: pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in ..." RTHC-00791. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/devinsky-2014-cannabidiol-pharmacology-and-potential
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.