Nancy Sajben, MD, forwards a study by University of Colorado psychiatrist Scott Shannon, MD, and colleagues concluding “Cannabidiol may hold benefit for anxiety-related disorders. Controlled clinical studies are needed.” From the abstract in the Permanente Journal:

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.