Kwee, C. M., Baas, J. M., van der Flier, F. E., Groenink, L., Duits, P., Eikelenboom, M., van der Veen, D. C., Moerbeek, M., Batelaan, N. M., van Balkom, A. J., & Cath, D. C. (2022). Cannabidiol enhancement of exposure therapy in treatment refractory patients with social anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia: A randomised controlled trial. European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 59, 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.04.003.
Rationale: Changes in cannabis laws reflect changing public perception that the plant may have medicinal benefits and more and more people are using cannabis for medical purposes. This study looked at the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in patients with panic disorder or social anxiety disorder.
Method: Three mental healthcare centers conducted the trials. This double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study involved 80 adults with social anxiety disorder or panic disorder with agoraphobia. Subjects received 8 standard, weekly therapy sessions supplemented with either 300 mg of oral CBD or placebo. The Fear Questionnaire (FQ) was used to assess the severity of fears or phobias before, during, and after the study.
Results: CBD prior to 8 therapy sessions did not reduce social anxiety more than the placebo. These negative findings also applied to patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia.
Meaning: Augmenting anxiety treatments with cannabidiol (CBD) did not improve symptoms. Traditional psychological treatments, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene, and/or mindfulness practices may be better options than cannabinoids.