CBD-Enriched Cannabis Was Among Promising Plant-Based Medicines for Anxiety Disorders
A comprehensive review identified cannabidiol-enriched cannabis among 21 plant-based medicines with clinical trial evidence for anxiety, alongside established herbs like kava, chamomile, and passionflower.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The review examined 1,525 papers and identified 53 plants with anxiolytic evidence, of which 21 had human clinical trials. Among those with the strongest evidence for chronic anxiety treatment were kava, chamomile, ginkgo, skullcap, milk thistle, passionflower, ashwagandha, and several others.
Cannabidiol-enriched (low-THC) cannabis was discussed among psychotropic plant-based treatments with emerging anxiolytic evidence. The review noted that CBD reduces anxiety without the psychoactive effects of THC and showed promise in social anxiety disorder. However, the evidence was still considered emerging compared to more established herbal anxiolytics.
Key Numbers
1,525 papers reviewed. 53 plants with anxiolytic evidence. 21 with clinical trials. Chronic efficacy: kava, chamomile, ginkgo, skullcap, milk thistle, passionflower, ashwagandha, others. Emerging: CBD-enriched cannabis, psilocybin, ayahuasca.
How They Did This
Comprehensive narrative review searching MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Library through October 2012. Included studies using whole plant extracts. Part 2 of a two-part review covering plants with both preclinical and clinical evidence.
Why This Research Matters
Placing CBD in the context of other plant-based anxiolytics provides perspective. While CBD has received enormous popular attention, it is one of many plant medicines with anxiety evidence, and several herbs have stronger clinical trial support. This context helps patients make informed choices.
The Bigger Picture
This review positioned CBD within the broader tradition of plant-based medicine for anxiety, rather than treating it as an isolated novelty. The comprehensive approach helps clinicians and patients understand the full range of evidence-based botanical options.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review with subjective evidence grading. Many included studies had methodological issues (small samples, brief interventions). Clinical trial quality varied enormously across plants. The CBD evidence was still emerging at the time. Standardization of plant preparations is a persistent challenge.
Questions This Raises
- ?How does CBD compare head-to-head with kava or passionflower for anxiety?
- ?Would combining CBD with other anxiolytic herbs produce additive effects?
- ?Which anxiety disorders respond best to plant-based treatments?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 21 plants with clinical trial evidence for anxiety, CBD among the emerging options
- Evidence Grade:
- Comprehensive review of variable-quality clinical trials; moderate evidence base overall, with CBD still emerging.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2013. Clinical evidence for CBD in anxiety has grown substantially since.
- Original Title:
- Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence.
- Published In:
- CNS drugs, 27(4), 301-19 (2013)
- Authors:
- Sarris, Jerome(9), McIntyre, Erica, Camfield, David A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00729
Evidence Hierarchy
Analyzes all available research on a topic using a structured method.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD the best plant-based treatment for anxiety?
Not necessarily. This review found that several other plants, including kava, chamomile, passionflower, and ashwagandha, had stronger clinical trial evidence than CBD at the time. CBD was classified as "emerging" rather than established. Since then, CBD anxiety research has expanded, but the evidence base for some other herbs remains comparable or stronger.
What plant-based treatments have the most evidence for anxiety?
The review identified kava (Piper methysticum) as having the strongest evidence, followed by chamomile, passionflower, ginkgo, and ashwagandha among others. For acute anxiety, Centella asiatica and lemon balm showed promise. CBD-enriched cannabis was grouped with newer, emerging options alongside psilocybin and ayahuasca.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00729APA
Sarris, Jerome; McIntyre, Erica; Camfield, David A. (2013). Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence.. CNS drugs, 27(4), 301-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-013-0059-9
MLA
Sarris, Jerome, et al. "Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence.." CNS drugs, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-013-0059-9
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a revie..." RTHC-00729. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/sarris-2013-plantbased-medicines-for-anxiety
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.