A reference work, not a recommendation to use: this profile describes mechanism and evidence and does not replace medical advice. The claims come from marketing and forums and are tested here, not endorsed. Manufacture, possession, trade or use may be prohibited; see “Legal status” for details.
Claims checked
Helps against anxiety and stress
Mixed resultsHealthy people: in 57 men, only the middle of three doses reduced anxiety before a simulated speech (inverted U-shaped curve); the CBD was provided free of charge by STI-Pharm, several authors are co-inventors of a CBD patent [10]. Patients: in 24 people with social anxiety disorder, a single dose worked [9], but as an add-on to exposure therapy in 80 people with anxiety disorders it did not [11]. Studies over weeks in healthy people are lacking.
Helps against epilepsy
Proven benefitTwo manufacturer-funded phase 3 RCTs: seizures per month 12.4 → 5.9 versus 14.9 → 14.1 under placebo [6]; drop seizures −43.9% versus −21.8% [7]. Authorization in the United States and the EU followed [8]. Not established for other epilepsies and over-the-counter products. Evidence for “manufacturer-funded”: both studies were paid for by GW Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer, according to their funding statements [6][7].
Improves sleep
Single unconfirmed findingOnly one placebo-controlled crossover study with 27 healthy people over one night each: sleep architecture on polysomnography did not change [12]. Repeated intake and people with sleep disorders were not studied in it.
Helps with quitting cannabis
Single unconfirmed findingPhase 2a study with 82 participants: only the middle dose group clearly improved both endpoints (urinary THC metabolite lowered, +0.48 abstinent days per week, interval 0.15–0.82). The high group lowered the metabolite; for abstinent days the interval included zero (+0.27; −0.09 to 0.64); the lowest group was ineffective [14].
Works against psychoses
Small benefitAs add-on therapy over 6 weeks, 1.4 PANSS points fewer positive symptoms (88 participants) [13]; in a comparison study with amisulpride, similar improvement with fewer side effects [4].
small studies: Every study behind this level and result had fewer than 100 participants. Small studies report larger effects on average than large ones, so the result is less certain.
manufacturer-funded: According to their funding or competing-interest statements, all studies behind this result were paid for, wholly or in part, by the maker of the product or compound, or list employees of the maker among their authors. Manufacturer-funded studies on average come out more favourably for the product.
Mechanism of action
Evidence map: CBD (cannabidiol)
Unlike THC, cannabidiol hardly activates the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2; in the laboratory, however, it inhibits the effect of CB1 and CB2 agonists with unexpectedly high potency [1]. In cell models it behaved as a noncompetitive negative allosteric modulator of CB1 and attenuated the signals of THC and 2-arachidonoylglycerol [2]. In addition, CBD in cell culture is an agonist with moderate affinity at the human 5-HT1A receptor [3]. In an RCT in acute schizophrenia, the anandamide level in serum rose under CBD, and the rise was related to clinical improvement; CBD moderately inhibits the breakdown of this endocannabinoid [4].
Pharmacokinetics in humans is incompletely studied: the half-life was between 1.4 and 10.9 hours (oral spray), 24 hours (intravenous), and 2 to 5 days with continuous intake, depending on the route; bioavailability with smoking was 31%, and for other routes it was not determined. High-fat meals and lipid formulations increased peak levels [5].
The benefit is established in two rare, severe epilepsies: in manufacturer-funded RCTs, the number of seizures in Dravet syndrome (120 children and young adults) [6] and of drop seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (171 participants) [7] fell more than under placebo; authorizations in the United States and the EU followed in 2018 and 2019 [8]. For anxiety, the data are thin: in 24 people with social anxiety disorder, a single dose reduced anxiety before a simulated speech [9], in 57 healthy men only the middle of three doses worked [10], and as an add-on to exposure therapy in 80 people with anxiety disorders, CBD achieved nothing [11]. CBD did not change the sleep of healthy people in a polysomnography study [12]. In schizophrenia it slightly reduced positive symptoms as add-on therapy [13], and in cannabis use disorder it reduced use in a phase 2a study [14].
Risks concern mainly the liver and interactions: in a study with 16 healthy people, 44% had elevated ALT values under high daily amounts, and 31% met the criteria of drug-induced liver injury [15]. In 13 children who additionally received clobazam, its active metabolite N-desmethylclobazam rose on average by 500%; the rise of clobazam itself was uncertain [16]. Over-the-counter products often contained different amounts of CBD than stated and sometimes THC [17]. EFSA still sees large data gaps on liver, hormone system, and reproduction and considers the safety for people under 25, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people taking medication not established [18].
Targets
| Target | Type | Action | Key data | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) | Receptor | Negative modulator | Noncompetitive negative allosteric modulator; lowers efficacy and potency of THC and 2-AG (cell models) | Laboratory[1][2] |
| Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) | Receptor | Antagonist | Inhibits CB2 agonists with high potency (laboratory, review) | Laboratory[1] |
| Serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A) | Receptor | Agonist | Agonist with moderate affinity at the human receptor (cell culture, GTPγS, cAMP ↓) | Laboratory[3] |
| Anandamide breakdown (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH) | Enzyme | Inhibitor | Moderate inhibition; serum anandamide ↑ under CBD in schizophrenia (RCT) | Human, randomised[4] |
| Breakdown of clobazam (CYP-mediated) | Enzyme | Inhibitor | N-desmethylclobazam +500 ± 300% (95% CI 90–610%); clobazam +60 ± 80% (95% CI −2 to 91%, uncertain) after 4 weeks (children, n = 13) | Human, non-randomised[16] |
Effect profile
- Dopamine
- Noradrenaline
- SerotoninAgonist at the 5-HT1A receptor in cell culture; relevance in humans not documented[3]
- Acetylcholine
- Glutamate · AMPA
- Glutamate · NMDA
- GABA
- Histamine
- Orexin
- Adenosine
- Opioids
- Melatonin
- Neurotrophins
- Blood flow
- Nitric oxide
- Energy metabolism
- Insulin · glucose
- Inflammation · oxidative
- Stress axis
- Testosterone axis
- EndocannabinoidsNegative allosteric CB1 modulator in the laboratory; raised anandamide levels in humans[1][2][4]
- Autophagy · senescence
- Immune system
- Lipid metabolism
- Coagulation · fibrinolysis
- Methylation
Routes of administration and bioavailability
Oral (swallowed) · Solution, oil, capsule
not determined in humansPeak level after 0 to 4 hours; meals and lipid formulations raise peak levels; half-life with continuous intake 2 to 5 days [5].
Human, non-randomised
Inhaled · Smoking
31% (human)Faster peak levels than oral, half-life 31 hours in the cited study [5].
Human, non-randomised
Buccal (inner cheek) · Oral spray (combined with THC in studies)
Half-life 1.4 to 10.9 hours [5].
Human, non-randomised
Human studies
Dravet syndrome (GWPCARE1)
Measured: seizures per month
Result: Median 12.4 → 5.9 versus 14.9 → 14.1 (difference −22.8 percentage points); more diarrhea, fatigue, liver value changes. Funded by GW Pharmaceuticals.[6]
Human, randomised
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4)
Measured: drop seizures per month
Result: −43.9% versus −21.8%; discontinuation due to adverse events 14% versus 1%. Funded by GW Pharmaceuticals.[7]
Human, randomised
Anxiety about public speaking
Measured: subjective anxiety, circulation
Result: Only the middle dose lowered anxiety; low and high doses like placebo. CBD provided free of charge by STI-Pharm; several authors co-inventors of a CBD patent.[10]
Human, randomised
CBD plus exposure therapy
Measured: Fear Questionnaire
Result: No difference from placebo.[11]
Human, randomised
Sleep in healthy people
Measured: polysomnography, cognition in the morning
Result: No change.[12]
Human, randomised
Liver values in healthy people
Measured: ALT
Result: 44% above the normal range, 31% above five times; authors with ties to GW or Greenwich Biosciences.[15]
Human, non-randomised
Risks and warnings
Liver injury
In 16 healthy people under high daily amounts, ALT elevations in 44%, in 31% in the range of drug-induced liver injury, partly with hepatitis symptoms [15]. Liver value changes also in the epilepsy studies [6]; EFSA sees a hepatotoxic potential, especially together with other medications [18].
Human, non-randomised
Interactions with medications
The active clobazam metabolite N-desmethylclobazam rose on average by 500%; the rise of clobazam itself (+60%, 95% CI −2 to 91%, n = 13) was uncertain. Adverse effects improved after dose adjustment of clobazam [16]. According to EFSA, safety with concurrent medication use is not established [18].
Human, non-randomised
Adverse effects in studies
Diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and somnolence more frequent than under placebo; more study dropouts [6][7].
Human, randomised
Mislabeled products with THC
Of 11 over-the-counter CBD oils, only 4 were correctly labeled, 6 contained THC; beverages contained on average only 60% of the stated CBD amount [17].
Human, non-randomised
Pregnancy, adolescence, hormone system
Animal studies show reproductive toxicity, effects on brain development after prenatal exposure, and changes in the thyroid and adrenal gland; CBD crosses the placenta. EFSA considers the safety for people under 25, pregnant and breastfeeding women not established [18].
Animal study
Interactions
- Clobazam: N-desmethylclobazam on average +500%; clobazam +60%, but uncertain with 95% CI −2 to 91% (13 children with epilepsy) [16].
- THC: Attenuates THC signals at CB1 in cell models [2]; clinical relevance not tested in the cited sources.
- Other medications: According to EFSA, greater liver risk in combination; safety not established [18].
Fact check: common claims
- partly supported
“CBD helps against anxiety”
Single doses lowered speech anxiety in social anxiety disorder [9] and in healthy people only at a medium amount [10]; no benefit as a therapy add-on [11].
- not supported
“CBD oil helps with falling asleep”
No change in sleep in healthy people [12].
- refuted
“CBD is completely harmless because it does not intoxicate”
Liver value elevations up to drug-induced liver injury [15], interactions [16], and open safety questions according to EFSA [18].
- refuted
“CBD products contain no THC”
THC was found in 6 of 11 examined oils [17].
- partly supported
“CBD works against epilepsy”
Established and authorized for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes [6][7][8]; not for other epilepsies and over-the-counter products.
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Peak level after 0–4 hours; higher with food and lipids; bioavailability determined only for smoking (31%) [5].
- Half-life
- 1.4–10.9 hours (oral spray), 24 hours (intravenous), 31 hours (smoking), 2–5 days with continuous intake [5].
- Metabolism
- CYP-mediated interactions, including strongly raised levels of N-desmethylclobazam [16]; EFSA names accumulation in the body and transfer across the placenta [18].
- Entry into the brain
- Central effects (anandamide ↑, symptom changes in psychosis) shown in humans [4]; brain levels not measured in the cited sources.
Legal status
- Germany
- Authorized as a high-purity medicinal product (Epidyolex) through the 2019 EU authorization for seizures in Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes [8]. In foods, CBD is assessed in the EU as a novel food [18]; the marketing status of individual CBD products in Germany is not verified.
- EU
- Medicinal product: EMA authorization in 2019 for Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes from age 2 [8]. Food: novel food assessment by EFSA; safety for people under 25, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people taking medication is not established according to EFSA [18].
- USA
- FDA approval in 2018 (Epidiolex) for the same epilepsies [8]; over-the-counter CBD products largely unregulated [17].
Related compounds
Open questions
- Which mechanism explains the antiepileptic effect in humans?
- Does CBD work against anxiety in healthy people over weeks, and why does a U-shaped dose-response curve appear?
- At what amount and in whom does liver injury occur?
- How good is oral bioavailability in humans?
References
- Pertwee RG. The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin. Br J Pharmacol. 2008;153(2):199–215. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707442 · PubMed
- Laprairie RB, Bagher AM, Kelly ME, Denovan-Wright EM. Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. Br J Pharmacol. 2015;172(20):4790–805. doi:10.1111/bph.13250 · PubMed
- Russo EB, Burnett A, Hall B, Parker KK. Agonistic properties of cannabidiol at 5-HT1a receptors. Neurochem Res. 2005;30(8):1037–43. doi:10.1007/s11064-005-6978-1 · PubMed
- Leweke FM, Piomelli D, Pahlisch F, Muhl D, Gerth CW, Hoyer C, et al. Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Transl Psychiatry. 2012;2(3):e94. doi:10.1038/tp.2012.15 · PubMed
- Millar SA, Stone NL, Yates AS, O'Sullivan SE. A Systematic Review on the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Humans. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1365. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01365 · PubMed
- Devinsky O, Cross JH, Laux L, Marsh E, Miller I, Nabbout R, et al. Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(21):2011–2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1611618 · PubMed
- Thiele EA, Marsh ED, French JA, Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska M, Benbadis SR, Joshi C, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (GWPCARE4): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018;391(10125):1085–1096. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30136-3 · PubMed
- Nabbout R, Thiele EA. The role of cannabinoids in epilepsy treatment: a critical review of efficacy results from clinical trials. Epileptic Disord. 2020;22(S1):23–28. doi:10.1684/epd.2019.1124 · PubMed
- Bergamaschi MM, Queiroz RH, Chagas MH, de Oliveira DC, De Martinis BS, Kapczinski F, et al. Cannabidiol reduces the anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in treatment-naïve social phobia patients. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011;36(6):1219–26. doi:10.1038/npp.2011.6 · PubMed
- Linares IM, Zuardi AW, Pereira LC, Queiroz RH, Mechoulam R, Guimarães FS, et al. Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. Braz J Psychiatry. 2019;41(1):9–14. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2017-0015 · PubMed
- Kwee CM, Baas JM, van der Flier FE, Groenink L, Duits P, Eikelenboom M, et al. Cannabidiol enhancement of exposure therapy in treatment refractory patients with social anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia: A randomised controlled trial. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2022;59:58–67. doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.04.003 · PubMed
- Linares IMP, Guimaraes FS, Eckeli A, Crippa ACS, Zuardi AW, Souza JDS, et al. No Acute Effects of Cannabidiol on the Sleep-Wake Cycle of Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:315. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00315 · PubMed
- McGuire P, Robson P, Cubala WJ, Vasile D, Morrison PD, Barron R, et al. Cannabidiol (CBD) as an Adjunctive Therapy in Schizophrenia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(3):225–231. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17030325 · PubMed
- Freeman TP, Hindocha C, Baio G, Shaban NDC, Thomas EM, Astbury D, et al. Cannabidiol for the treatment of cannabis use disorder: a phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, adaptive Bayesian trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2020;7(10):865–874. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30290-X · PubMed
- Watkins PB, Church RJ, Li J, Knappertz V. Cannabidiol and Abnormal Liver Chemistries in Healthy Adults: Results of a Phase I Clinical Trial. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2021;109(5):1224–1231. doi:10.1002/cpt.2071 · PubMed
- Geffrey AL, Pollack SF, Bruno PL, Thiele EA. Drug-drug interaction between clobazam and cannabidiol in children with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2015;56(8):1246–51. doi:10.1111/epi.13060 · PubMed
- Miller OS, Elder EJ, Jones KJ, Gidal BE. Analysis of cannabidiol (CBD) and THC in nonprescription consumer products: Implications for patients and practitioners. Epilepsy Behav. 2022;127:108514. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108514 · PubMed
- EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA); Turck D, Bohn T, Cámara M, Castenmiller J, De Henauw S, et al. Update of the statement on safety of cannabidiol as a novel food. EFSA J. 2026;24(2):e9862. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2026.9862 · PubMed
How this profile was checked
Last reviewed: 2026-10-25. All sources with a DOI or PMID were resolved automatically via Crossref or doi.org and PubMed.
Translated from the German profile (version of 2026-10-25); translation checked on 2026-10-26.
Checked
- All abstracts read via PubMed; DOIs and PMIDs resolved with tools/pruefe_profile.py.
- At the abstract: high potency as an antagonist of CB1/CB2 agonists [1]; NAM in HEK293A and STHdh cells, residues 98 and 107 [2]; 5-HT1A agonist of moderate affinity [3]; anandamide ↑ and association with improvement, comparison with amisulpride [4]; 24 studies, t½ 1.4–10.9 h / 2–5 d / 24 h / 31 h, F 31% (smoking), Tmax 0–4 h [5]; n = 120, 12.4 → 5.9 vs. 14.9 → 14.1, −22.8 percentage points [6]; n = 171 (86/85), −43.9 vs. −21.8%, adverse events 86 vs. 69%, discontinuation 14 vs. 1% [7]; FDA 2018, EMA 2019, from age 2 [8]; n = 24 (12/12) [9]; n = 57 (15/15/12/15), only middle dose effective [10]; n = 80 (39/41), no difference [11]; n = 27 [12]; n = 88 (43/45), PANSS positive −1.4 (−2.5 to −0.2) [13]; n = 82, +0.48 days/week, lowest group ineffective [14]; n = 16, 44% or 31% [15]; n = 13, +60 ± 80%, +500 ± 300% [16]; 11 oils, 4 correct, 6 with THC, beverages 59.9% [17]; data gaps, liver toxicity, placental passage, safety for < 25 years, pregnant, breastfeeding, medication not established [18].
- Interests: [6] and [7] funded by GW Pharmaceuticals; authors of [15] consultants to GW Research or employees of Greenwich Biosciences; [10] CBD provided by STI-Pharm, several authors inventors of a CBD patent, cooperation of the university with Prati-Donaduzzi; [14] Medical Research Council.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: 616 entries for “cannabidiol” (October 24, 2026), none from the sponsor “Hudson Biotech”.
- Cross-check October 24, 2026 (at the abstract): cannabis cessation only middle group with an interval excluding zero (+0.48; 0.15–0.82), high group for abstinent days −0.09 to 0.64 [14]; clobazam +60% with CI −2 to 91% as uncertain, documented only N-desmethylclobazam +500% (CI 90–610%) [16]; anxiety claim named as a mixture of healthy people [10] and patients [9][11], STI-Pharm supply and patent connection of [10] stated in the claim and in the study; sleep at “Single unconfirmed finding” (one night, n = 27) [12].
- October 25, 2026, q010 (area nervous system): claim “Helps against epilepsy” from area “Regeneration & Heilung” to “Nervensystem”. Abstracts [6] and [7] reread: primary endpoints frequency of convulsive seizures (Dravet syndrome) and frequency of drop seizures (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). Level and result unchanged.
- Precision flags (m004; rules guideline October 26, 2026; participant numbers, direction, and funding checked on October 26, 2026 via PubMed efetch against abstract, conflict-of-interest statement, and affiliations): “Helps against anxiety and stress”: “kleine_studien” – [9] 24, [10] 57, [11] 80. “Helps against epilepsy”: “herstellerfinanziert” – [6] “Funded by GW Pharmaceuticals”, [7] “FUNDING: GW Pharmaceuticals.” ([8] review). “Improves sleep”: “kleine_studien” – [12] 27. “Helps with quitting cannabis”: “kleine_studien” – [14] 82 (48 and 34 in two stages).
- October 26, 2026, cross-check of the precision flags (m004): evidence for the flags that were set additionally carried over into the rationale (“Evidence for …”, guideline “Präzisions-Flags”); numbers and statements rechecked via PubMed efetch (abstract, conflict-of-interest and funding statements, affiliations): “Epilepsy”: [6] “Funded by GW Pharmaceuticals”, [7] “FUNDING: GW Pharmaceuticals.”
Not verified
- Binding values (Ki) of CBD at CB1, CB2, 5-HT1A, and GPR55 not checked against a primary source with figures.
- Whether a CBD novel food authorization has already been granted in the EU was not checked (EFSA assessed synthetic CBD positively in 2026, the Commission's decision was not read).
- Legal status of over-the-counter CBD products in Germany not checked.
- Sponsor of the schizophrenia study [13] not checked in the full text (co-author P. Robson possibly GW Pharmaceuticals).
- The frequently cited JAMA study on the labeling of CBD extracts sold online (Bonn-Miller 2017, PMID 29114823) has no abstract; numbers not checked and therefore not used.
No dosages, no sources of supply. This information does not replace medical advice.
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