Study register · detailRetrospektive Fallserie · Anxiety Disorders · 2019
Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series
Shannon et al.·The Permanente JournalImpact 2.5
MixedGRADEVery low418 citations
Samplen = 72 Pat.
DurationAt least one month, exact total…
EndpointAnxiety and sleep scores
Blindingn.a.
DesignRetrospektive Fallserie
Cannabinoidcbd
”Key finding
Anxiety disorders showed marked improvement (79,2% persisting in the first month), while sleep quality was initially improved in 66,7% but fluctuated over time.
Summary
n=72 adults with primary anxiety (n=47) or sleep complaints (n=25), CBD as adjuvant to standard therapy. Anxiety scores decreased in the first month in 79,2% (n=57) and remained reduced over the study duration. Sleep scores improved initially in 66,7% (n=48), but fluctuated over the course. CBD well tolerated except in 3 patients. Validated instruments used, but no placebo control.
P
PopulationAdults with anxiety or sleep complaints in a psychiatric clinic, n=72 (anxiety: n=47, sleep: n=25)
I
InterventionCBD as an add-on to usual treatment, monthly documentation
O
OutcomeAnxiety scores decreased in 79,2% of patients within the first month and remained decreased; sleep scores improved in 66,7% in the first month, but fluctuated over the course
Confidence in the evidence
Very lowLowModerateHigh
Very low
The lowest GRADE level, the effect estimate remains uncertain.
Context: Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis. It does not appear to alter consciousness or trigger a "high." A recent surge in scientific publications has found preclinical and clinical evidence documenting value for CBD in some neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Evidence points toward a calming effect for CBD in the central nervous system. Interest in CBD as a treatment of a wide range of disorders has exploded, yet few clinical studies of CBD exist in the psychiatric literature.
Objective: To determine whether CBD helps improve sleep and/or anxiety in a clinical population.
Design: A large retrospective case series at a psychiatric clinic involving clinical application of CBD for anxiety and sleep complaints as an adjunct to usual treatment. The retrospective chart review included monthly documentation of anxiety and sleep quality in 103 adult patients.
Main Outcome Measures: Sleep and anxiety scores, using validated instruments, at baseline and after CBD treatment.
Results: The final sample consisted of 72 adults presenting with primary concerns of anxiety (n = 47) or poor sleep (n = 25). Anxiety scores decreased within the first month in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained decreased during the study duration. Sleep scores improved within the first month in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated over time. In this chart review, CBD was well tolerated in all but 3 patients.
Conclusion: Cannabidiol may hold benefit for anxiety-related disorders. Controlled clinical studies are needed.