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Exploring CBD for Anxiety Symptoms: A Balanced Perspective

Insights from my three decades of helping people manage the impacts of anxiety in clinic and through Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics.

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In our busy, modern lives, feelings of stress and anxiety are incredibly common. Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental illnesses globally, causing significant societal and economic impacts. Many of us are searching for ways to support our overall well-being and find a greater sense of calm amidst daily pressures. This search has led to growing interest in natural wellness approaches, including Cannabidiol, or CBD.

You’ve likely seen CBD mentioned online, in stores, or heard about it from friends. But what does the science actually say about its potential role when it comes to feelings of anxiety? As a Doctor of Chiropractic with over 20 years of clinical experience focused on health, wellness, and helping patients manage the physical effects of anxiety and stress, I believe in providing clear, balanced information. With close to a decade of involvemenet in the hemp and cannabis sectors, I have experience to highlight key factors, and potential benefits, of taking CBD to help manage anxiety and stress.

The purpose of this post is to provide a concise summary of what CBD is, look at the potential ways it might interact with the body’s stress and anxiety pathways based on current research, and discuss important considerations for anyone thinking about it.

Key Take Aways

• Beyond the Buzz: Curious about CBD for anxiety symptoms? We delve into the science exploring its potential calming mechanisms and how it interacts with your body's natural systems.
• Promise vs. Proof: Discover what current research suggests about CBD's effectiveness for anxiety – from promising findings to the need for more conclusive evidence.
• Safety is Key: Considering CBD? Understand crucial factors like product quality, format, dosage, potential drug interactions, and when to consult your healthcare provider.

First, Let's Briefly Discuss Anxiety Symptoms & Stress

In our post on Stress vs. Anxiety, we explored how stress is typically a response to an external trigger, while anxiety often involves persistent internal worry that can linger. While distinct, both can activate the body’s stress response system – the “fight-or-flight” mechanism – leading to physical symptoms like muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, and sleep disturbances.

It’s important to remember that occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, when feelings of worry and unease become overwhelming, persistent, and interfere with daily activities, it’s essential to seek guidance from a healthcare professional, as this could indicate an anxiety disorder requiring specific diagnosis and care.(1) This blog post focuses on CBD in the context of general feelings of anxiety and stress, not as a treatment for diagnosed anxiety disorders.

Gender differences play a significant role in the prevalence and symptomology of anxiety disorders, with females often experiencing higher rates of anxiety compared to males.

What Do the Clinical Trials Show?

While preclinical studies (often in animals) show promise, high-quality human research is still developing. Here’s a brief overview:

• Some human studies suggest CBD may help reduce anxiety in specific stressful situations, like public speaking.(4) Systematic reviews have highlighted the potential of CBD in reducing anxiety in specific stressful situations.
• Research into CBD for diagnosed anxiety disorders (like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, or Panic Disorder) has yielded mixed results. Some studies show potential benefits, with significant improvement in anxiety symptoms, while others are inconclusive or limited by small sample sizes or short durations.(4)(2)
• It’s clear that responses can vary significantly based on the individual, the CBD dosage, the type of CBD product used, and the specific situation or condition being studied.

The Bottom Line on Research: Currently, there isn’t enough consistent, high-quality evidence from large human trials to confirm CBD as a reliable treatment for anxiety disorders. More rigorous research is essential to understand its effects, establish effective dosages, and ensure safety.

Important Considerations & Safe Use Before Trying

This is arguably the most critical section. If you are considering CBD for anxiety symptoms or general wellness, please keep the following in mind:

• Talk to Your Doctor: If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, or experience significant symptoms, discuss CBD with your healthcare provider. Especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Drug Interactions: CBD can interact with common medications, including blood thinners, some antidepressants, seizure medications, and others. It can affect how your body processes these drugs, potentially leading to side effects or reduced effectiveness.(5) Always check with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Quality and Testing: The CBD market is not uniformly regulated. Choose products from reputable brands that provide third-party lab test results (Certificates of Analysis or COAs) for each batch. This verifies the CBD/THC content and checks for contaminants like pesticides or heavy metals. (Transparency and testing are core to our philosophy at Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics).
• Dosage: There is no one-size-fits-all CBD dose. Factors like body weight, metabolism, and individual sensitivity play a role. If you choose to try it, the standard advice is to “start low and go slow,” gradually increasing the amount if needed.
• Potential Side Effects: While generally considered well-tolerated, CBD can cause side effects for some people, including drowsiness, dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, and fatigue.(3)
• FDA Regulation: the FDA has approved CBD (Epidiolex) as a treatment for specific rare seizure disorders. This approval demonstrated CBD offers health benefits, however further research is needed for additional potential FDA approvals. The FDA has not approved CBD as a treatment for anxiety or other mental health conditions. Be wary of products making explicit health or treatment claims.(3)⁴ At present time CBD is monitored by the FDA and products are formulated as wellness products without specific health claims. Ongoing clinical research is crucial to better understand the safety and efficacy of CBD for anxiety.
• Legality: Hemp-derived CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC are federally legal in the USA under the 2018 Farm Bill.

A Holistic Perspective on Wellness

From my perspective as a chiropractor focused on overall well-being, it’s vital to see potential tools like CBD within a larger context. Addressing feelings of anxiety and stress effectively usually involves a multi-faceted approach. Foundational elements include:

• Managing lifestyle stressors where possible.
• Prioritizing quality sleep and balanced nutrition.
• Incorporating regular physical activity and movement.
• Practicing mindfulness or other relaxation techniques.
• Addressing physical contributors to discomfort, such as musculoskeletal tension or postural imbalances (where chiropractic care can sometimes play a supportive role).

Conclusion: Informed Choices for Your Well-Being

CBD is an intriguing natural compound with potential roles in supporting well-being by potentially influencing pathways that manage anxiety and stress. While early research is promising in some areas, more high-quality human studies are needed to draw firm conclusions. Preliminary evidence from clinical trials suggests that CBD may help reduce anxiety, but more clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish effective dosages and safety profiles.

If you’re considering CBD, prioritize safety: choose high-quality, lab-tested products, start with a low dose. Discuss it with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s appropriate for you and won’t interact with other medications or conditions. Remember, CBD is not a cure-all and is not an FDA-approved treatment for anxiety disorders. Making informed, responsible choices is key to navigating the world of wellness effectively.

At Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics we have taken a thoughtful and intentional approach to formulating a CBD Gummy option for those looking to manage stress and anxiety. Our calm. CBD Gummies are infused with Broad Spectrum CBD (without THC), CBG, Ashawagandha, L-theanine, and Lemon Balm. We are excited with this complete formula and the rave reviews our customers are sharing. 

References

• National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety Disorders. Updated September 2022. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
• Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
• Grinspoon, P. (MD). Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don’t. Harvard Health Publishing. Updated September 24, 2021. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
• Skelley, J. W., Deas, C. M., Curren, Z., & Ennis, J. (2020). Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 60(1), 253–261. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2019.10.014
• Brown, J. D., & Winterstein, A. G. (2019). Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(7), 989. doi:10.3390/jcm8070989