A systematic review of 13 studies found some evidence that CBD may help with cannabis withdrawal, addiction, psychosis, and social anxiety, but most studies were small and underpowered.
Psychiatrists, mental health clinicians, and patients considering CBD for psychiatric symptoms.
201 total subjects across 13 studies
What the researchers found
Evidence levels varied: B-level for cannabis withdrawal, C2 for cannabis addiction, C1 for positive symptoms in schizophrenia and anxiety in social anxiety disorder. No evidence was found for depression or bipolar disorder. Side effects were generally mild (sedation, dizziness).
Why it matters
CBD is widely marketed for psychiatric conditions despite limited clinical evidence. This review provides a structured assessment of what the science actually supports.
The numbers in context
692 records screened, 13 studies included (6 case reports, 7 trials), 201 total subjects. Evidence graded B for cannabis withdrawal, C1 for schizophrenia positive symptoms and social anxiety, C2 for cannabis addiction.
How the study worked
Systematic review searching PubMed, Scielo, and ClinicalTrials.gov, classifying evidence according to WFSBP task force standards. Included 6 case reports and 7 trials covering 201 subjects.
What this study cannot tell us
Most included studies were small and did not reach statistical significance. Only 201 total subjects across all studies. No evidence found for depression or bipolar disorder. Publication bias possible.
How to read the evidence
Moderate: systematic review methodology, but constrained by small and underpowered included studies.
When this study was published
Published in 2019.
The bigger picture
The gap between CBD's commercial popularity for mental health and the actual clinical evidence is substantial. While the existing data points in a promising direction, the field needs much larger trials to draw firm conclusions.
Questions still open
- What doses of CBD are most effective for specific psychiatric conditions? Why is there a complete absence of data on CBD for depression despite widespread consumer use?
Common questions
Does CBD help with depression?
What are the side effects of CBD for psychiatric use?
Read the original research
Is there a role for cannabidiol in psychiatry?
The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry, 20(2), 101-116
Citation
Khoury, Julia Machado; Neves, Maila de Castro Lourenço das; Roque, Marco Antônio Valente; Queiroz, Daniela Alves de Brito; Corrêa de Freitas, André Augusto; de Fátima, Ângelo; Moreira, Fabrício A; Garcia, Frederico Duarte. (2019). Is there a role for cannabidiol in psychiatry?. The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry, 20(2), 101-116. https://doi.org/10.1080/15622975.2017.1285049
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