Sources
Every claim on this site traces to a source below: published studies and official guidance. Both change, so check each source for its latest date. We last reviewed these sources on October 26, 2026.
| Publisher | Source | What we used it for |
|---|---|---|
| Peer-reviewed study | Bergamaschi et al., Neuropsychopharmacology, 2011 (randomized, double-blind) | Randomized trial, 24 people with social anxiety; CBD reduced anxiety in a speaking test. |
| Peer-reviewed study | Coelho et al., Life, 2024 (systematic review of 15 randomized trials) | Systematic review of 15 randomized trials of CBD for anxiety; mixed results. |
| Peer-reviewed study | Gournay et al., Psychopharmacology, 2023 (randomized, placebo-controlled) | Randomized trial, 63 people; repeated 300 mg reduced anxiety symptoms but not worry. |
| Peer-reviewed study | Shannon et al., The Permanente Journal, 2019 (retrospective case series) | Chart review of 72 adults for anxiety and sleep; no placebo group. |
| Peer-reviewed study | Elms et al., Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2019 (case series) | Case series of 11 adults with PTSD; no placebo group. |
| Peer-reviewed study | Bolsoni et al., Psychopharmacology, 2022 (randomized, double-blind) | Randomized trial, 33 people with PTSD; 300 mg CBD before trauma recall. |
| Peer-reviewed study | Narayan et al., Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2024 (randomized pilot) | Randomized pilot, 30 adults with insomnia; mostly no difference from placebo. |
| Peer-reviewed review | Moore et al., The Journal of Pain, 2024 (review of CBD pain trials) | 16 randomized trials of CBD for pain; 15 showed no benefit over placebo. |
| Trade publication (secondary) | NeurologyLive: FDA approves cannabidiol for Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes | Epidiolex approval and Lennox-Gastaut trial results. |
| VA/DoD | VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline, Quick Reference (v4.0, 2023) | Recommendation 20 is a strong recommendation against cannabis or cannabis-derived products for PTSD. |
| VA National Center for PTSD | VA National Center for PTSD: Cannabis Use and PTSD Among Veterans (updated Sept. 3, 2025) | Evidence, risks and use rates among veterans. |
| VA Public Health | VA Public Health: VA and Marijuana, What Veterans Need to Know (updated Aug. 1, 2023) | Benefits, provider roles, prescribing and VA grounds. |
| Battle Creek VA clinicians (peer-reviewed) | Petersen et al., Effect of cannabis use on PTSD treatment outcomes in veterans, The Mental Health Clinician, 2021 | Chart review of 340 veterans in a PTSD program. Did not study CBD separately. |
| NIH (NCCIH) | NIH NCCIH: Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need To Know (2019) | Evidence on pain, anxiety, PTSD and sleep; FDA-approved cannabinoid drugs; safety. |
| NIH (NCCIH) | NIH NCCIH news release on cannabinoid pain research (Sept. 19, 2019) | Pain research support described as weak; nine new research grants. |
| FDA | FDA: What You Need to Know (and What We're Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds, Including CBD | One approved CBD drug; unapproved products; side effects; liver injury; interactions; label accuracy. |
| FTC | FTC: Serious health claims for CBD products need proof | Health claims for CBD need competent and reliable scientific evidence. |
| Veterans Crisis Line | Veterans Crisis Line | Dial 988 then press 1; text 838255; online chat. |
| Foley Hoag (law firm, not a government source) | Foley Hoag: A temporary reprieve for hemp-THC products (Sept. 2026) | Federal hemp THC limit delayed to December 11, 2026. |
How we write
- We summarize in our own words and link to the original.
- We report evidence that is limited or against, not just evidence that is favorable, and we give each study's size and design.
- We label non-government sources.
- We don't make claims that a product treats, cures or prevents any condition.
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