Meta-Analysis Finds CBD Eases Anxiety Symptoms, THC Reduces PTSD-Related Nightmares and Tics in Patients of Tourette Syndrome

Researchers from the University of São Paulo published their findings in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, drawing from 21 randomized controlled trials involving patients with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette syndrome. The results varied depending on the compound studied. Pure CBD showed a moderate, statistically significant effect in easing symptoms of social anxiety and generalized anxiety, while THC was found to help reduce PTSD-related nightmares and tic severity in Tourette syndrome. In contrast, studies involving CBD-THC mixtures did not produce significant benefits.

Although the findings point to therapeutic potential, the authors emphasized that the overall quality of evidence remains low due to small sample sizes and differences in study design. They concluded that larger, well-controlled clinical trials are necessary to determine whether pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids or standardized cannabis extracts can be considered reliable treatments for anxiety-related conditions.