A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled test of the effects of cannabidiol on fear elicited by a 10% carbon dioxide-enriched air breathing challenge.

Abstract

Objective: A single administration of cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce anxiety during social anxiety inductions. No study, however, has evaluated the impact of CBD on fear responding among humans.

Method: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken to address this gap in the literature. Specifically, the current study tested a single oral administration of CBD (either 150 mg, 300 mg, or 600 mg), compared to placebo, for reducing fear reactivity to a well-established 5-min administration of 10% carbon dioxide (CO₂)-enriched air biological challenge. CBD was administered 90 min prior to the challenge. Participants were 61 healthy young adults who self-reported fear continuously during the challenge. Heart rate also was continuously monitored, and panic symptoms were self-reported using the Diagnostic Sensations Questionnaire immediately following the procedure.

Results: Results indicated no effect of condition on self-reported fear, panic symptoms, or heart rate.

Conclusion: This is the first study to document that CBD does not reduce fear reactivity in humans, thereby representing an important extension to research on the effects of CBD.