Review: Oral Use of CBD Reports Anxiolytic and Anti-Psychotic Activity, Few Adverse Effects

Thursday, 16 April 2020

Copenhagen, Denmark: In adult subjects, the oral administration of purified CBD is associated with anxiolytic and anti-psychotic activity while possessing few adverse side-effects, according to a literature review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research.

A pair of researchers affiliated with the Nordic Cannabis Research Institute in Denmark reviewed 25 clinical trials assessing the safety and efficacy of CBD in various populations. Authors reported: "There is some evidence ... that supports anxiolytic effect of acute administration of oral CBD. There is moderate-quality evidence that chronic and acute administration of CBD can improve psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia patients." They reported that there was insufficient evidence at this time in support of the use of CBD for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or for curbing cravings in those with substance abuse disorders. With regard to CBD's safety, they concluded: "[M]ost studies reported no adverse events with acute administration and mild to moderate adverse effects with chronic administration. In comparison to other drugs, a better side effect profile was presented." In June 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex, a prescription medicine containing a standardized formulation of plant-derived cannabidiol for the explicit treatment of two rare forms of severe epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Full text of the study, "Dosage, efficacy, and safety of cannabidiol administration in adults: A systematic review of human trials," appears in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research.