SupplementPreliminary evidenceSleep

CBD (cannabidiol)

Acute anxiolytic signal in single-dose studies; the chronic-use wellness claims run far ahead of the trials.

Why

Cannabidiol is the non-intoxicating cannabis constituent. The strong evidence is prescription-grade: purified CBD (Epidiolex) for rare epilepsies. For the uses it is actually sold for — anxiety, sleep, stress — human evidence is mostly acute single-dose laboratory studies showing an anxiolytic signal, with very few chronic-dosing trials at retail strengths. Product quality and actual CBD content also vary widely.

How to take

Dosage

Trials with anxiolytic signal used 300–600 mg single doses — far above typical retail servings. The UK FSA advises staying under 10 mg/day from food supplements.

On the label

Third-party certificate of analysis (COA) matching the batch; "broad spectrum" or "isolate" if THC must be zero.

Ideal for

Honestly: hard to recommend over better-evidenced options on this page until chronic-dosing trials land.

Safety

Interacts with several prescription drugs via CYP450 enzymes (notably clobazam, warfarin); raised liver enzymes at high doses. The UK FSA advises no more than 10 mg/day from supplements and to avoid CBD in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Check interactions with my medications

Evidence

At a glance

Blessing 2015 Neurotherapeutics — human evidence supports an acute anxiolytic effect of CBD (largely 300–600 mg single doses in lab paradigms); chronic-dosing trials at retail strengths are scarce. The unambiguous RCT evidence (Devinsky 2017 NEJM) is for prescription CBD in rare epilepsy, not wellness use.

Limitations

No onset timeline — the anxiety data are single-dose laboratory studies, not chronic-use trials at retail doses.

Where to get it

Shop CBD (cannabidiol) on Amazon

Sponsored · As an Amazon Associate, Healicus earns from qualifying purchases.