CBD oil for anxiety helps produce feelings of mental and emotional tranquility while at the same time being non-addictive and free of side effects.
CBD oil for anxiety is derived from the hemp plant and produces none of the psychotropic effects of its cousin, marijuana. It is an effective treatment for various anxiety disorders, and has proven itself in multiple research studies.
The CBD oil market has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, with new products popping up seemingly every week. We took a close look at dozens of today’s most popular brands and determined that the following are the best CBD oils for anxiety of 2023.
Rankings
1. EMPE CBD Oil Full Spectrum
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EMPE CBD oil is one of the only medically tested CBD oils on the market today. Every serving is designed to provide a powerful anti-inflammatory dose of the best CBD and terpenes available.
What we like: EMPE provides a potent dose of high quality CBD oil that’s 100% free of THC. It’s also free of GMOs and is designed to be used subliminally for fast results.
Flaws: Other than the price, you really can’t go wrong here.
2. The CBDistillery CBD Oil
CBDistillery produces high-quality, low-THC oils in various strengths. Some are gentle, entry-level oils; others are potent formulas capable of treating more serious anxiety disorders.
What we like: Several of their products are very affordable. Their 2500mg formula is ideal for most people. And the 60-day, money-back guarantee is among the best in the business.
Flaws: The company website is the weak link in this product chain.
3. Kanibi CBD Oil
Kanibi has stated their goal is to raise product standards across the CBD industry. Fortunately, they are up to the challenge they set for themselves. Their CBD oil is derived from American grown hemp and is free of artificial ingredients.
What we like: We appreciate the breadth of their product line and the quality of their CBD oils. We like that their oils are fast-acting. They also believe in transparency and aggressive 3rd party testing.
Flaws: The chocolate mint and lemon lime flavorings need a rethink. But you are not buying this for the flavor experience.
4. Pure Kana CBD Oil
Pure Kana produces a very pure and potent CBD oil from organic hemp grown in the US. Their tinctures are available in mint and vanilla flavors and contain terpenes, which act as a kind of turbo boost for the cannabinoids.
What we like: This is a full spectrum CBD oil that will effectively address anxiety, and a plethora of other health issues. We like that. It is also 3rd party tested, free of herbicides, solvents, and GMOs, and made in the US.
Flaws: Their top of the line CBD oils are pretty expensive even by CBD oil standards.
5. Hemp Bombs Premium CBD Oil
The Hemp Bombs targets a younger crowd. But if you are an older adult dealing with anxiety, arthritis, or a dozen other health issues, you will find plenty here to help. Hemp Bombs potency ranges from 125mg all the way to 4,000mg.
What we like: We appreciate the relatively competitive pricing. We like their insistence on 3rd party testing. The full-spectrum nature of these oils will address a variety of health conditions. And the eyedropper provides precise dosing control.
Flaws: They offer a variety of flavors. We would recommend the unflavored.
6. FAB CBD
FAB CBD receives a lot of positive press for their modestly-priced, full-spectrum CBD oils. There is nothing fancy here, no superfluous or artificial ingredients. The company prides itself on its transparency, and all their hemp is organically grown and locally sourced.
What we like: We like the affordable nature of these CBD oils, and that the terpenes help bolster their effectiveness. They are not the most potent CBD oils on the market. But they are an excellent choice for beginners.
Flaws: They only offer two, pretty modest potencies: 600mg and 2400mg.
7. Farmacy Bliss CBD Drops
Farmacy Bliss CBD oils are a good choice for those switching from other anxiety meds to CBD. The entry-level character of their drops is reflective of the family nature of the company. Nothing too extreme.
What we like: We appreciate the dedication to purity and their commitment to transparency. We also appreciate that they offer a 30% discount to service members, so many of whom suffer from PTSD.
Flaws: They offer an ‘unconditional guarantee’ that does not seem to include money back.
8. Nuleaf Naturals CBD
Nuleaf got into the CBD oils business way before the Farm Bill of 2018 opened the floodgates. As such, they’ve had more time than others to refine their product. The result is a line of highly pure, highly effective medicinal oils.
What we like: Nuleaf Naturals CBD oils are available in a half dozen different concentrations. We like that. It means there is something for everyone. We are also fans of the rigorous 3rd party testing.
Flaws: Their top of the line full spectrum CBD oil is among the most expensive you will find anywhere.
9. Spruce Lab Grade CBD
Spruce Labs creates a moderately intense lab-grade CBD oil from domestically grown hemp seeds. This is a good choice for moderate anxiety and pain relief. They offer the added benefit of shipping to all 50 states. Not everyone does.
What we like: The presence of terpenes helps boost potency. Spruce CBD is free of artificial everything and certified vegan. We appreciate the subscription discount offer. And the price is not prohibitive.
Flaws: Not quite as good at pain relief as anxiety relief. If that is important to you.
10. Medterra CBD Tincture
If you would like to try CBD oil for anxiety but do not want to spend hundreds of dollars right out of the gate, the Medterra CBD Tincture is an affordable alternative. Also, if you worry about work-related drug tests, this is the CBD oil for you.
What we like: The 0 percent THC content will appeal to the employed who must submit to drug testing. The various concentrations mean there is one for everyone. And as a bonus, you can share this with your arthritic pooch.
Flaws: The taste is nothing to write home about. And the lower potency oil is pretty slow to get to work.
11. cbdMD
The last of our best CBD oils for anxiety is from the great state of Kentucky. The cbdMD offers tinctures in a half dozen potencies: from 300mg to a best-in-class 7500mg. These are broad spectrum CBD products that will not break your bank.
What we like: We appreciate the wide variety of concentrations available from cbdMD. The prices are also right in line with most people’s budgets. Everything is 3rd party tested and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Flaws: Pricing indicated on the website is confusing, to say the least.
Who Needs CBD Oil For Anxiety?
Anyone who suffers from an anxiety disorder should consider using CBD oil from hemp to obtain relief. That includes people with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and those suffering from various specific phobias, including arachnophobia (1), agoraphobia (2), and more. In addition, those who have previously been treated with potentially addictive drugs like Valium, and are looking for a safer alternative should consider CBD oil to treat their anxiety.
How We Ranked
A few years ago, you could count the number of CBD oils for anxiety (or any other purpose) on one hand. Today, there are hundreds of different CBD oil products jostling for visibility in the marketplace. And it does not seem like the upward curve is flattening out anytime soon. But while variety is the spice of life, a market that has become this big, this fast is bound to attract more than its fair share of frauds and outright fakes.
So when ranking CBD oils, we put major emphasis on the reputation of the producer. They had to have a proven track record of delivering high-quality CBD oil with low THC content at a reasonable price. Also, we wanted to see oil made from hemp grown in the US and extracted in a reputable facility. CBD oil derived from marijuana or made under questionable circumstances did not rank for our list.
Finally, because CBD oil is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, producers that offered a variety of strengths for their oils earned some extra points. And, for the record, there are no marijuana-derived CBD oils on our list because of the potential complications that could arise from the high THC content they typically feature.
FAQs
Q: What is CBD oil?
A: The letters ‘CBD’ stand for ‘cannabidiol’. Cannabidiol is a compound found in the flower of the cannabis plant. There are many members of the cannabis family. The best known are marijuana and hemp. Marijuana-derived CBD oil contains high levels of the psychotropic compound THC (3). Hemp-derived CBD oil has less than 3 percent THC. CBD oil from hemp has proven itself to be effective at reducing anxiety, among other things.
Q: What is anxiety?
A: Anxiety takes many forms (4). It may be as harmless as feeling a bit anxious before an important meeting. Or it may be serious enough to warrant psychological counseling and medication. Feeling nervous before a big meeting or event is normal, and does not call for any kind of treatment. However, if your anxiety interferes with your ability to lead a normal life, you may want to consider using CBD oil.
Q: How does CBD oil reduce anxiety?
A: CBD oil leverages the endocannabinoid system to gain access to nearly every cell in the human body. There are two types of endocannabinoid receptors. Scientists refer to them as CB1 and CB2. CB2 receptors have a role in regulating physical responses to pain. CB1 receptors are related to mood, coordination, memory, and other cognitive functions. CBD binds with CB1 receptors to reduce anxiety.
Q: Is CBD oil safe for seniors?
A: Yes, CBD oil is safe for seniors. In fact, about 10 percent of US citizens over 50 now use some type of CBD product (5). There are, as of this writing, no known cases of older people suffering adverse effects from CBD itself. If they have an issue, it is typically because the CBD and another medication they were taking did not get along. So, CBD is safe. But if you are taking other medications, talk to your doctor before taking CBD oil for anxiety.
Q: Will Medicare pay for CBD oil?
A: As of this writing, Medicare does not pay for CBD oil. Since hemp was only removed from the list of controlled substances in 2018, it will probably be some time before Medicare catches up with the medical science. Until then, your best chance for getting the most attractive price is to buy online, direct from the manufacturer. If you buy from a pharmacy, you will be paying the middleman markup.
Q: Do I need a medical marijuana card to buy CBD oil for anxiety?
A: Some states require people without a doctor’s prescription for medical marijuana to obtain a medical marijuana ID card (6). Since CBD oil can be derived from either hemp or marijuana, it is understandable that some people would think they might need such a card. But most of the CBD oils used for anxiety, (including all the ones on our list), are derived from hemp. Therefore, no medical marijuana card is necessary to buy them.
Q: Is CBD from hemp oil the same as CBD from marijuana?
A: Hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD both have the same anti-inflammatory and other benefits. Where they differ is in their THC (7) content. Hemp-derived CBD oil has less than 0.3% THC. So you stand virtually no chance of getting high from it. On the other hand, Marijuana-derived CBD oil may be as high as 30% THC. So, your chances of getting high from it are much greater. All the CBD oils on our list are derived from hemp.
Q: Should I always take the same amount of CBD?
A: You will want to start with a small dose and then work your way up until you find the dosage that is right for you. At some point, you will likely go beyond the optimal dosage and then have to back off until you settle into the dosing sweet spot. Once you find this optimal dose, you should stick with it unless you have a compelling reason to change.
Q: Is CBD oil for anxiety legal?
A: Any hemp-derived CBD oil that contains less than 3 percent THC is legal as far as the federal government is concerned. A few states still have laws on their books that indicate hemp and hemp products are illegal in their state. But most no longer enforce these laws. And if they did, the laws would probably be invalidated due to the ‘supremacy clause’ (8) of the US Constitution.
Q: Is CBD oil addictive?
A: No. CBD oil is not addictive. It does not contain any substance known to promote an addictive response or addictive behavior. Quite the contrary, it is often used to help people who are trying to quit smoking, as well as people recovering from cocaine and other addictions. It helps them relax and not feel so anxious all the time. That, in turn, increases their odds of recovering.
Q: What is the right CBD oil dose for anxiety?
A: Although it is legal in the eyes of the federal government and widely used for medicinal purposes, CBD oil is not (yet) regulated by the FDA. As such, there are no guidelines in place dictating what constitutes an appropriate dose. Most doctors recommend starting with a small dose, seeing how you feel, and gradually increasing if necessary until you find an amount that works for you.
Q: How long should I hold CBD tincture under my tongue?
A: Tinctures have been around for centuries. During the period of the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, they were extremely popular. Although their popularity had waned in recent years, they have begun to make a comeback thanks largely to CBD. When using a CBD oil tincture, it is recommended you hold it under your tongue for 30-60 seconds for optimal absorption.
Q: Can CBD oil for anxiety help with arthritis pain?
A: As we mentioned earlier, CBD oil binds with receptors in our cells that regulate everything from mood to how we experience pain. CBD oil is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. A great deal of arthritis pain is caused by inflammation (9). So the ability of CBD to reduce inflammation makes it a good choice for those looking for a way to reduce their arthritis pain.
Q: Will I get in trouble if I buy CBD oil online?
A: It is highly unlikely you, or anyone else, will get in trouble for buying CBD oil online. In 2018 the federal government passed the Agriculture Improvement Act (10), also known as the Farm Bill of 2018. That piece of legislation removed hemp and hemp products from the list of controlled substances. As long as the CBD oil is derived from hemp and has a THC content of less than three percent, you should have no trouble, no matter where you buy it.
Q: Can CBD oil backfire and cause anxiety?
A: It is unlikely that CBD oil derived from hemp will increase a person’s anxiety level. However, it is possible that CBD oil derived from marijuana, which contains high levels of THC, may increase anxiety. Many people who smoke marijuana are beset by unpleasant feelings of anxiety and dread (11). That is a result of the THC. Because CBD oil from hemp contains virtually no THC, the chances of it causing anxiety are slim.
Q: Will I fail a drug test if I use CBD oil for anxiety?
A: If you use a marijuana-derived CBD oil, it very well may. That is because marijuana-derived CBD can contain as much as 30 percent THC. CBD oil derived from hemp contains less than 3 percent THC. As such, you would have to consume a ridiculous amount of hemp-derived CBD oil to bring the THC levels in your blood up to the point that they would produce a positive result on a drug test.
Q: Can you overdose on CBD oil?
A: There are no known documented cases of a person overdosing on CBD oil. That said, if a person were to take much more than the recommended amount, they may experience an upset stomach or drowsiness. If they drink their CBD tincture right from the bottle instead of taking a drop at a time, they may feel tipsy. That’s because tinctures have a high alcohol content. So stay within the recommended amounts and you should be fine.
Q: Can you just use marijuana for anxiety instead of CBD oil?
A: If your goal is to heighten your level of anxiety, then yes, you could use marijuana. We say that because some people become extremely anxious and fearful, even paranoid (12), when they smoke marijuana (13). Such feelings are the effect of THC, the psychotropic compound in marijuana that gets you high. CBD oil contains almost no THC, and so this potential adverse side effect is prevented.
Q: How much does CBD oil for anxiety cost?
A: On the face of it, when you see a bottle of CBD oil priced at $100 or more, it may strike you as a lot. But there are a few things to remember. First, you will likely only use a couple of drops at a time. Second, the bottle will probably last you a couple of months. And third, 100 tablets of Valium (often used to treat anxiety) can cost five or six times as much. And that is not to mention the cost of the doctor visits, and the risk of addiction that comes with such a drug.
Q: How long does it take for CBD oil to reduce anxiety?
A: CBD oil will probably not reduce anxiety the first time you use it. You will need to start with a modest dose and then gradually increase until you find the dose that works. That may take a week or two. Be patient. Most people do experience a reduction in anxiety if they stick with it.
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Recap
Because it accesses the body’s endocannabinoid system, CBD oil has the ability to treat anxiety, as well as a range of other health problems, at the cellular level.
It is quickly proving itself to be an extremely versatile medication that can not only help calm an anxious mind, but reduce arthritis pain, fight acne, prevent seizures, reduce the risk of diabetes and much more.
Best of all, CBD oil for anxiety is safe, non-addictive, and produces no side effects of any consequences in the vast majority of people who use it. Oh, and those people also include about 10 percent of all Americans over 50.
The CBD oils for anxiety on the above list are produced by reputable manufacturers, subjected to third party testing, and contain no more than three percent THC. If you need help selecting one to suit your needs, discuss the matter with your doctor.