A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Test of the Effects of Cannabidiol on Experiences of Test Anxiety Among College Students

Stanley et al. ·Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Impact 2.5

No benefit demonstrated GRADE Moderate 21 citations

Samplen = 32 Pat.

Durationsingle experimental session

ControlPlacebo

Endpointtest anxiety

Blindingdoppelblind

DesignRCT

Cannabinoidcbd

Max. dose600.0 mg

Routeoral

Key finding

CBD at doses of 150, 300 or 600 mg showed no effect on self-reported test anxiety or general anxiety during a statistics exam.

Summary

n=32 college students with moderate to severe test anxiety, randomized to CBD single doses (150/300/600 mg) vs. placebo. No significant effect of CBD on self-reported test anxiety or generalized anxiety during experimental exam situation; experimental manipulation validated (test anxiety successfully induced).

PopulationHealthy college students with self-reported moderate to severe test anxiety level, n=32

InterventionOral CBD, single dose 150, 300 or 600 mg

ControlPlacebo (oral, double-blind)

OutcomeNo significant effect of CBD on self-reported test anxiety or general anxiety (no p-values reported)

Confidence in the evidence

Moderate

The third of four GRADE levels, the effect estimate is probably reliable.

Downgraded for

Imprecision

Quality profile

Sample size ★★★★★

Blinding Double-blind

Effect size No benefit

Citations / year ★★★★★

Authors

Stanley T B, Ferretti M L, Bonn-Miller M O et al.

DOI 10.1089/can.2022.0062↗

Design: RCT

Abstract

Introduction: Oral administration of cannabidiol (CBD) has shown to yield a variety of therapeutic benefits among humans, particularly regarding symptoms of anxiety. This study tested single oral administration doses of CBD (150, 300, or 600 mg), compared to placebo, for reducing test anxiety (TA) in a researcher-derived experimental analog. Method: Our sample included 32 healthy college students who self-reported moderate-to-severe levels of TA. Participants attended an experimental session, and received a dose of CBD or placebo, in a double-blind procedure. After administration of CBD, participants completed a statistics examination and measures of TA and general anxiety during examination administration. Results: Results indicated no effect of CBD dose on self-reported TA or general anxiety; however, results indicated efficacy of our experimental manipulation for inducing TA in vivo. Discussion: This is the first study to demonstrate that CBD does not reduce experiences of TA, and future work may examine the underlying mechanisms and affective states related to anxiety for which CBD may offer anxiolytic benefits, and for whom.

The impediment to action advances action. — Marcus Aurelius