Title:Cannabidiol and Depression: Promise and Challenge in Building
an Evidence Base
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Author(s): Amelia D. Moser, Melissa M. Batt, Lorna C. Bidwell and Roselinde H. Kaiser*
Affiliation:
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO,
USA
- Institute of Cognitive
Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Renée Crown Wellness Institute,
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
Keywords:
Cannabidiol, cannabis, depression, clinical trial, observational study, adolescent.
Abstract:
Background: Interest in the potential mental health effects of
cannabidiol (CBD) has increased recently, with a surge in commercial and
pharmaceutical development of CBD products and a concomitant rise in
consumer use. However, despite the widespread and growing use of CBD
products by adults and adolescents, the mental health effects of CBD remain
largely unknown.
Objective: The goals of this review are: 1) to briefly review the evidence base for
the mental health effects of CBD, using depression as an exemplar, and 2) to
systematically outline complementary study designs needed to test CBD effects,
together with challenges and special considerations related to each design.
Methods: This review integrates empirical findings related to CBD's effects on
mental health outcomes with the literature on intervention trial design and current
legal regulations pertaining to CBD.
Conclusion: Complementary controlled and observational studies of CBD are
necessary to substantiate claims of mental health benefits, including for clinical
depression and in pediatric populations. Investigators must consider challenges
and opportunities specific to CBD as an intervention, including legal regulations,
commercial or pharmaceutical product choice, dosing and bioavailability, and
safety.