Title:Effects of Cannabidiol in Adolescent and Young Adult Depressive
and Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review of Clinical and
Preclinical Research
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Author(s): Rebecca K. Denson*, Julia Brooks, Graziano Pinna and Natania A. Crane
Affiliation:
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
Keywords:
Cannabidiol, depression, anxiety, adolescent, young adult, clinical practice.
Abstract:
Background: Adolescents and young adults may use cannabidiol (CBD)
products in an attempt to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, despite little
research examining this use. This systematic review evaluated preclinical and clinical
research on the effects of CBD on depressive and anxiety disorders in adolescence and
young adulthood. To provide context, we discuss CBD’s mechanism of action and
neurodevelopmental effects.
Methods: PubMed was searched for articles published through June 2022. Preclinical
or clinical CBD administration studies with N > 1 that examined depressive and/or
anxiety disorders were eligible.
Results: Initially, 224 publications were identified. After excluding duplicates and
applying eligibility criteria, 6 preclinical (depression: n≈133; anxiety: n≈161) and 4
clinical (anxiety: n=113) articles remained. Due to the low number of studies, results
were synthesized qualitatively. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011
Levels of Evidence were used to rate each study’s evidence. The preclinical effects of
CBD on depression-like behavior appear to differ by sex, early life stress, and duration
of use. Despite no evidence that CBD exerts anxiolytic effects in preclinical adolescent
models, CBD may reduce anxiety symptoms in human adolescents and young adults
with anxiety disorders.
Conclusion: The existing evidence suggests that CBD may reduce symptoms of anxiety
in adolescents and young adults. However, the evidence is sparse and limited by
variations in samples and CBD dosing duration. Further research is needed to understand
the potential benefits and/or harms of CBD for depression and anxiety disorders in this
population. Implications for clinical practice and research are discussed.