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Our editors reviewed potency, ingredients, and third-party testing to choose the best CBD oils for anxiety. Check out the full list below, which includes oils from Aspen Green, FOCL, Spruce, and more.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Although research into its effects is ongoing, some studies suggest that it may be able to help ease symptoms of conditions like chronic pain, insomnia, and even anxiety.
If you’ve been considering grabbing a bottle of CBD oil to ease worry and stress, you may have found yourself surprised — maybe even overwhelmed — by all the choices out there, not to mention the vocabulary. What the heck is a terpene anyway?
Although nothing makes one CBD oil better than another at reducing anxiety, if you choose a quality product you stand to gain the most benefit. We’ve done the research to help you choose a CBD oil or tincture that fits your needs, including some that contain other ingredients that may help bring about a sense of calm.
While we’ve chosen to highlight a few specific flavor options in this article, many of the products featured also come in additional flavors, which you can find listed below.
Terpenes are plant compounds with potential therapeutic benefits.
Flavonoids are plant compounds that have antioxidant benefits.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid associated with the “high” from cannabis, or “marijuana,” use. CBD doesn’t have intoxicating properties.
Full-spectrumCBD contains all the naturally available compounds of the cannabis plant. In hemp-derived full-spectrum CBD, the THC will be no more than 0.3%.
Broad-spectrum CBD has all the plant’s naturally occurring compounds but no THC (or only trace amounts).
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, separated from all other plant compounds.
Research on CBD and its use for anxiety and depression is still ongoing. Large-scale clinical trials are needed to determine effective doses for specific conditions.
But a 2020 review of existing studies concludes that CBD has potential for treating anxiety disorders like:
You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to choosing a CBD oil for anxiety. At a minimum, look for a product that has been third-party tested. Reputable CBD companies will send out their products to accredited, third-party labs to be tested. Then, they’ll make the testing results available to the public through certificates of analysis, or COAs.
Compare the COA with the product label and make sure it actually contains the amount of CBD and THC it says it does. You can also verify that it doesn’t have dangerous levels of contaminants like molds, pesticides, and heavy metals.
Once you’ve found some quality products, a selection really comes down to personal preference and your needs. If anxiety keeps you up at night, a CBD product that contains calming ingredients might be helpful.
But if anxiety is more prevalent during your out-and-about hours, you might prefer a low potency CBD you can take on the go, upping your dose as needed.
Reading a CBD label can feel a little tricky until you’re familiar with the terminology. Keep in mind that if you’re hoping for an entourage effect of all the phytocannabinoids and terpenes working together, you’ll want a full-spectrum product.
A broad-spectrum option will offer other cannabis plant benefits, as well, but won’t include any THC. A CBD isolate product will contain no THC and no other cannabinoids or plant compounds. So, if exposure to anything but CBD is a concern, opt for an isolate.
And, of course, the taste will come into play. If the smell or taste of cannabis is a turnoff, you may prefer a flavored product to mask any overt earthiness.
CBD oils and tinctures are best taken under your tongue. Use the dropper to measure your desired dose, then squeeze the drops under the tongue. Hold the liquid there for about 20 seconds before swallowing.
The serving size is usually the size of the dropper. A 1-oz (30-mL) bottle with 1,200 mg of CBD will deliver 30 servings of 40 mg per mL.
But that doesn’t mean you have to take a full dropper or stick to just one dropper either. If you’re new to CBD, start with a smaller dose to see how it affects you before trying more.
Can you get ‘high’ from CBD oil?
CBD by itself does not have any psychoactive properties, so it doesn’t make you feel “high.” The cannabinoid that does give you the “high” feeling is THC, and although some CBD oils contain small amounts of THC, it’s typically not enough to give you that sensation.
However, CBD products containing 5–10 mg THC per mL per unit are available, so there is potential to experience impairment.
If you don’t want to ingest traces of THC, it may be best to avoid CBD oils that contain them altogether. You can shop for isolate CBD products, which do not contain any THC.
Is CBD oil safe?
CBD is generally reported to be safe, but side effects may occur. These may include changes in appetite and weight, fatigue, or diarrhea.
Does CBD help with anxiety?
More evidence is needed before researchers can conclude that CBD can help with anxiety. There is a lack of large-scale clinical human trials that study the potential of CBD to treat mood disorders.
However, several studies suggest that CBD might have anti-anxiety effects. More research is needed to learn more about CBD’s therapeutic potential.
How long does CBD oil take to work for anxiety?
There is currently a lack of clinical trials on using CBD for anxiety, so there’s no consensus on how long it takes for CBD to start working.
However, in a 2018 study on using CBD for social anxiety, participants were given CBD before undergoing a simulated public speaking test. The study concluded that 300 mg of CBD administered orally 90 minutes before the test significantly reduced the participants’ anxiety.
Before trying CBD for anxiety, talk with a healthcare professional or a knowledgeable cannabis clinician, especially if you’re taking any medications. CBD may interact with certain prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins or supplements.
CBD may also cause liver toxicity or injury, according to a 2019 study. However, this study was conducted on mice, and researchers say you would need to be taking extremely high doses for this to be a concern.
One more thing: Use caution when consuming CBD along with high fat meals. Fats can increase CBD blood concentrations, increasing the risk of side effects, according to a 2020 study.
Research is still ongoing as to how CBD might help ease anxiety and depression. If you’ve been considering trying CBD oil to see if it makes you feel more relaxed in times of stress or your day-to-day, we hope our list of fully vetted recommendations helps you choose a product that fits your needs.
Remember to talk with a healthcare professional first, especially if you already take medications or supplements.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Last medically reviewed on June 6, 2023
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Crockett J, et al. (2020). A phase 1, randomized, pharmacokinetic trial of the effect of different meal compositions, whole milk, and alcohol on cannabidiol exposure and safety in healthy subjects. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.16419
