What does the research say?
In a study of 82 people with cannabis use disorder, participants received different doses of CBD or an inactive drug (placebo) for 4 weeks, along with counseling sessions designed to strengthen motivation. The lowest dose was found ineffective at an interim analysis and was dropped; at the two higher doses, cannabis use went down and the number of days without use went up. This is promising, but it is a single, small, early-stage study and needs to be confirmed. Other controlled data on CBD alone for cannabis are scarce and not positive: the result of a 10-person study is available only in a trial registry; at week 6, use appears to have stayed at its starting level in the CBD group while it decreased in the placebo group (no statistical comparison). In a lab study of regular marijuana smokers, a single dose of CBD also did not change the pleasurable effects of marijuana or the choice to smoke it. A larger CBD study with 250 people is underway in Australia.
In a study of people who had stopped using heroin, those who took CBD for 3 days had less craving and anxiety triggered by drug-related cues; their heart rate and stress hormone response also went down. In a small study of 10 people on buprenorphine or methadone treatment, a single dose of CBD also reduced this kind of craving. However, when 30 inpatients on buprenorphine were given CBD for 28 days, opioid craving did not fall more than with placebo. A broad 2026 review also found no clear effect of cannabis-derived substances in opioid use disorder. The results of a 4-week study of 76 people on methadone or buprenorphine are available only in a trial registry: craving and anxiety changed similarly in those taking CBD and those taking placebo, and the share of people with opioids on urine tests was also close (no statistical analysis was published). In 23 people on methadone with chronic pain, a single dose of CBD changed some pain measures but not opioid craving. On the THC side: in 60 people starting opioid withdrawal treatment, synthetic THC (dronabinol) eased withdrawal symptoms in the hospital, but did not change the rates of moving on to the next treatment or staying in treatment; in a 12-person lab study, high doses reduced withdrawal only slightly and caused a racing heart and anxiety. The evidence for THC in opioid use rests on these two small studies and is weak. No difference in illicit opioid use was found between people who used cannabis during treatment and those who did not (a pooled analysis of 10 follow-up studies); follow-up studies like these prove neither benefit nor harm from cannabis.
In alcohol use disorder, the results are mixed. In two lab studies, a single dose or 3 days of high-dose CBD reduced alcohol craving after alcohol-related cues; but in a similar study of 36 young people aged 17–22, no difference was seen on any measure. In three studies that measured how much people drank, CBD was no better than placebo: in people taking about 150 mg of CBD a day for 8 weeks, drinking did not go down (craving decreased only with the product that also contained a small amount of THC); in two small studies with higher doses, alcohol use, craving, mood and anxiety did not change either. On the THC side: in a lab study of 157 heavy drinkers who used cannabis at least twice a week and did not want to quit (about 43% had alcohol use disorder), those who smoked THC-containing marijuana drank 19–27% less alcohol in a drink-choice task right afterward, but there was no difference on an alcohol craving scale. This is a one-time lab measurement; it does not show a treatment effect, and the evidence for THC is weak.
In a study of 78 people with cocaine use disorder, CBD 800 mg a day was used for 10 days in the hospital and then for 12 weeks at home; cocaine craving and relapse were no different from placebo, and almost all participants had used again by week 12. In 31 men with crack cocaine addiction, CBD 300 mg a day for 10 days also gave no different result from placebo for craving, anxiety or sleep problems. A broad review, meanwhile, reported that when CBD and THC were given together in cannabis use, withdrawal symptoms and the amount used went down; however, according to the Cochrane review of medicines for quitting cannabis, the share of people who stayed completely off cannabis at the end of treatment with THC-containing medicines was no different from placebo. In the same broad review, craving in cocaine addiction increased more with cannabinoids than with placebo; but in the 78-person study above, this difference was not statistically significant. In other words, it cannot be said that CBD is 'good for every addiction.'
The approach tried most often in cannabis addiction is to replace cannabis with a medicine that contains a controlled dose of THC (similar to using a nicotine patch to quit smoking). In 51 hospitalized people, a mouth spray containing THC and CBD (nabiximols) for 6 days reduced withdrawal symptoms and craving and made it easier for people to stay in treatment; but one month later, cannabis use was similar in the two groups. In a 12-week study of 128 people who had previously failed to quit, those taking the spray used cannabis on about 18 fewer days than those taking an inactive drug, and this difference persisted 3 months after treatment ended; in another study of 40 people, however, the difference in use between the two groups was not significant. Synthetic THC (dronabinol) eased withdrawal in a 156-person study, and in a second study of 122 people, where it was given together with lofexidine, it did not even change withdrawal; neither study increased quit rates. Nabilone, a synthetic THC-like medicine, did not reduce use in an 18-person study. In small studies where volunteers stayed in a clinic for a few days, these medicines eased withdrawal; whether they reduced going back to smoking cannabis varied from study to study. The Cochrane review (2025) states that the rate of staying off cannabis at the end of treatment with these medicines was no different from placebo (moderate-certainty evidence) and that all of these medicines should still be considered experimental. Overall, the evidence for THC-containing medicines is weak. Three small studies have also tested non-cannabinoid ADHD medicines in people who also have ADHD, and the results are mixed: atomoxetine was better than placebo for doctor-rated ADHD improvement but did not reduce cannabis use (McRae-Clark 2010, 38 people, PMID 20958842); long-acting amphetamine salts reduced cannabis-use days more than placebo, but the differences in ADHD symptoms and in the share of people who quit completely were not significant (Levin 2024, 28-person pilot study, PMID 39051597); in a secondary analysis of 57 people who used cannabis and also had cocaine addiction, the same medicine increased the number of cannabis-free weeks, but the proportion of cannabis-use days did not change (Notzon 2016, PMID 28051838). The evidence on this is limited and weak.
There are two small controlled studies of CBD for smoking. In a one-week study of 24 people who wanted to quit, those who used a CBD inhaler whenever they felt the urge to smoke cut the number of cigarettes they smoked by about 40% compared with their own starting level, while the placebo group did not change; a direct comparison of the two groups is not in the abstract. In 30 people who went one night without smoking, a single dose of 800 mg CBD reduced attention toward cigarette images and how appealing those images seemed, but did not change cigarette craving or withdrawal symptoms; in the same study, memory and impulse control did not improve either. These results are early; as of October 2026, three controlled CBD studies measuring smoking or withdrawal are underway. There are no studies of quitting smoking with THC-containing products; in an analysis that combined observational studies, people who used cannabis were less likely to quit smoking.
Is CBD itself addictive? In a study of 43 volunteers who used multiple substances, the liking score for 750 mg CBD was no different from placebo; at very high doses (1,500 and 4,500 mg) a small difference appeared, but it was much lower than for a sedative drug and synthetic THC given for comparison (Schoedel 2018, PMID 30286443). In regular marijuana smokers, CBD itself was no different from placebo on any measure (second publication of the Haney 2016 study, Babalonis 2017); in healthy volunteers, stopping the drug suddenly after 4 weeks of high-dose CBD did not cause withdrawal symptoms (Taylor 2020, PMID 32036242, a study by the drug's manufacturer). The picture is different for THC-containing products: among medical cannabis users, about one in four was found to have cannabis use disorder (pooled analysis of 14 observational studies, Dawson 2024, PMID 38493566), and among people randomly assigned to get a medical cannabis card right away, cannabis use disorder developed about twice as often within 12 weeks as in those put on a waiting list (17% vs. 9%).
Strength of evidence: ●●○○ Weak evidence. Finding: Mixed results. What does this mean?
Ongoing research on this topic
Trials testing CBD for this topic on ClinicalTrials.gov: 20 under way (17 recruiting); results are awaited from 3 that ended in the last two years. A trial being under way does not show that CBD works.
- NCT06940674: Phase 3, recruiting, target 450 participants
- NCT05613608: Phase 2/3, recruiting, target 180 participants
- NCT07148843: Phase 2/3, recruiting, target 105 participants
Possible side effects and drug interactions
No serious side effects were seen in the cannabis study, and 94% of participants completed the study. No serious side effects were reported in the heroin study either. In the alcohol studies, however, 22.6% of those taking high doses of CBD had side effects that required limiting the dose. In healthy volunteers, CBD increased the risk of diarrhea. In cannabis studies with THC-containing medicines, side effects were mostly mild and similar to placebo; when synthetic THC was given together with lofexidine, a drug from the blood pressure medicine class, dry mouth, feeling intoxicated and low blood pressure were more common. In people in opioid withdrawal, synthetic THC at 20 mg and above caused a racing heart and anxiety. Long-term heavy cannabis use can lead to recurring bouts of vomiting (cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome).
CBD can slow down how some medicines are broken down in the body. An interaction case has been reported with methadone, which is used to treat opioid addiction.
Interactions with medicines used for this condition
Interactions reported for these medicines in peer-reviewed publications and official prescribing information. A medicine that is not listed can still interact with CBD; tell your doctor about every medicine you take.
| Medicine | Importance | Warning | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methadone, Other opioids (morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, tramadol, etc.) | Caution | Methadone and other opioids: In a child, a high methadone level was found and drowsiness developed while CBD was being used; two weeks after CBD was stopped, the level fell to less than half and the symptoms resolved. In small controlled studies with morphine and buprenorphine, no clear change in drug levels was seen; with a single intravenous dose of fentanyl, there was no respiratory depression. Drowsiness may increase together with opioids. Tell the doctor who manages your pain or addiction treatment. | PMID 32444381, PMID 41622700, PMID 41467610, PMID 25748562, FDA Epidiolex label §7.4 (05/2026) |
To check interactions with the medicines you take: CBD drug interaction checker.
How was CBD used in studies?
In cannabis use disorder, CBD 400–800 mg a day (study dose; not a personal recommendation) was used for 4 weeks together with psychological support; 200 mg a day (study dose; not a personal recommendation) was found ineffective. In the cocaine study, 800 mg a day (study dose; not a personal recommendation) was given; in the opioid studies, a single dose of 600 mg, 400–800 mg a day for 3 days, or 600 mg a day for 28 days (study dose; not a personal recommendation). In the alcohol studies, doses between about 150 mg and 1200 mg a day or a single dose of 600–800 mg (study dose; not a personal recommendation) were used. For smoking, a single dose of 800 mg CBD or a CBD inhaler used as needed for one week was tried, and for crack cocaine, 300 mg CBD a day for 10 days (study dose; not a personal recommendation). In cannabis studies with THC-containing medicines, the mouth spray was mostly used at up to 86.4 mg THC + 80 mg CBD a day (average 47.5 mg THC), synthetic THC at 40–60 mg a day, and the THC-like nabilone at 2 mg a day; in opioid withdrawal, synthetic THC was used at 30 mg a day (study dose; not a personal recommendation). These medicines were given under a doctor's supervision and together with psychological support.
Study details (for health professionals)
In cannabis use disorder, 400–800 mg of pure CBD reduced use when given together with psychological support; but this is a single, small phase 2a study. For other substances, CBD reduced cue-induced craving in some lab studies (heroin, opioids, alcohol; single dose or a few days); in young people, however, no effect on alcohol craving was seen. Outside cannabis, none of the RCTs that measured use or relapse showed CBD to be better than placebo (for smoking, a single small study reported only a within-group reduction): in cocaine use disorder, 800 mg/day (78 people, 12 weeks) did not reduce craving or relapse, and in crack cocaine use, 300 mg/day (31 people, 10 days) did not change craving; in alcohol use, 150 mg/day (44 people, 8 weeks) and 600–1200 mg/day did not change the amount of drinking. In opioid use disorder, use or relapse was not measured in the published RCTs: in 30 people on buprenorphine, 600 mg/day (28 days) was not superior to placebo for craving, withdrawal or mood; in 23 methadone patients with chronic pain, a single dose of 400–1,200 mg CBD did not change opioid craving. In 76 people on methadone or buprenorphine, 4 weeks of CBD gave craving and anxiety similar to placebo and close rates of urine opioids (registry results only, no statistics, no peer-reviewed publication). In a 2026 meta-analysis, there was no significant effect in opioid use disorder; in cocaine use, craving increased more with cannabinoids, but in the 78-person study in this area the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.069). For cannabis, according to Cochrane 2025, quitting at the end of treatment with THC-containing medicines is no different from placebo (RR 1.04; moderate certainty). There are 6 clinical RCTs of THC-containing or THC-like medicines for cannabis: nabiximols reduced withdrawal (Allsop 2014, 51 people) and reduced use days over 12 weeks (Lintzeris 2019, 128 people; difference 18.6 days, 95% CI 3.5–33.7; it persisted 3 months later), but in a 40-person study there was no significant difference in use between groups (Trigo 2018); dronabinol (Levin 2011, 156 people; with lofexidine, Levin 2016, 122 people) and nabilone (Hill 2017, 18 people) did not increase quitting. In lab or inpatient studies lasting a few days, withdrawal decreased (only some symptoms in Haney 2008; Haney 2013, Schlienz 2018, Herrmann 2019; Trigo 2016, 9 people, with nabiximols; Slagle 2026, conducted by the company with a nabilone + gabapentin combination); the effect on relapse to cannabis smoking in the lab was inconsistent (reduced: Haney 2013, Schlienz 2018; did not reduce: Haney 2008, Herrmann 2019). A single dose of THC reduced craving triggered by marijuana cues in a one-session measurement (Lundahl 2015, 14 people). These are small lab studies; they do not show a treatment effect. A single dose of CBD did not change the reinforcing effects of marijuana (Haney 2016). In opioid withdrawal, dronabinol reduced symptoms but did not change retention in treatment (Bisaga 2015, 60 people); in the lab, its effect was limited and it raised heart rate at 20 mg and above (Lofwall 2016, 12 people). Cannabis use during opioid treatment was not associated with illicit opioid use (Costa 2024; 10 observational studies). In heavy drinkers, THC-containing marijuana reduced alcohol consumption at that moment in the lab but did not change an alcohol craving scale (Metrik 2026, 157 people; single session). For smoking, there are 2 small RCTs with CBD: over one week, the number of cigarettes smoked with an inhaler fell by about 40% in the CBD group and did not change in the placebo group (Morgan 2013, 24 people; within-group change, no direct comparison of the two groups in the abstract); a single 800 mg dose reduced attentional bias but did not change craving or withdrawal (Hindocha 2018, 30 people). On the harm side: cannabis use disorder can develop with THC-containing cannabis products (Gilman 2022 RCT: 17.1% vs. 8.6%; about 25% among medical cannabis users, Dawson 2024 observational meta-analysis, PMID 38493566); CBD itself was found to have low abuse potential (Schoedel 2018, PMID 30286443; Babalonis 2017). Recent reviews point the same way: cannabinoids can ease short-term symptoms (withdrawal, craving) but have not been shown to bring about lasting abstinence (Zammit Dimech 2026; Wilson 2026, evidence quality generally low); CBD alone has not been shown to be effective (Redonnet 2025). It does not replace proven medicines in opioid treatment (e.g., buprenorphine/methadone). October 2026 search (PubMed, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov; separately for each substance): 35 controlled studies with cannabinoids on this topic (34 rows; one reports two separate trials together) and 7 systematic reviews or meta-analyses (one combines only observational studies) were found; all are in the table below. The table also includes 1 patient registry analysis without a control group (Ghosh 2025, 34 people); it does not show cause and effect. Of the controlled studies, 16 are on cannabis (13 with THC-containing or THC-like medicines, 3 with CBD; 8 are single-session or few-day lab, inpatient or short withdrawal studies), 7 on opioids, 7 on alcohol, 2 on cocaine and 2 on tobacco; 1 measures the risk of cannabis use disorder with THC-containing cannabis products; the results of 2 are available only on ClinicalTrials.gov. Lab studies by the same research group using the same method were given in a single row (the other publications are in that row's source information; those whose results do not agree are in separate rows); uncontrolled studies other than the patient registry and reviews repeating the same question were not listed individually. The only Cochrane review on this topic that assesses cannabinoid products is for cannabis use disorder (Spiga 2025); no controlled human studies with cannabinoids were found for methamphetamine or other stimulants.
Evidence assessment: Cannabis: weak (pure CBD reduced use in a single small phase 2a RCT; in Cochrane 2025 and a 2026 network meta-analysis, the evidence for CBD is low certainty; a single-dose lab study and the registry results of a 10-person study without a statistical comparison showed no benefit) · Alcohol, opioids, cocaine, tobacco: weak (craving may decrease in the lab; it has not been shown to reduce use or relapse)
CBD alone
Pure CBD reduced cannabis use in a single phase 2a RCT; in cocaine use, craving (and in one, relapse) did not differ from placebo in two RCTs; in alcohol use, despite reduced craving in the lab, it did not reduce drinking; in opioid use, cue-induced craving decreased in two small studies (single dose and 3 days), did not differ from placebo in a 28-day study or in a single-dose pain study, and was also similar in the registry results of a 4-week study; the result of the only RCT that measured use is available only in a trial registry (at week 4, urine opioids 76% vs. 81% in people on methadone and 13% vs. 20% in people on buprenorphine; no statistical analysis). For smoking, a small one-week RCT found fewer cigarettes smoked with a CBD inhaler (within-group change only); a single 800 mg dose did not change craving or withdrawal but reduced attention to cigarette images. For cannabis, the registry results of a 10-person RCT and a single-dose lab study showed no benefit.
Products containing THC
In cannabis use disorder, CBD+THC together reduced withdrawal and the amount used (Wilson 2026; most of the evidence is low certainty); however, the quit rate at the end of treatment with THC-containing medicines was no different from placebo (Cochrane 2025, RR 1.04, moderate certainty). In individual studies, nabiximols reduced withdrawal and increased retention in treatment (Allsop 2014, 51 people), and reduced cannabis-use days by 18.6 days over 12 weeks (Lintzeris 2019, 128 people; 95% CI 3.5–33.7); in a 40-person study, however, the between-group difference in use was not significant (Trigo 2018). Dronabinol reduced withdrawal in one study (Levin 2011) and did not even change withdrawal when given with lofexidine (Levin 2016); neither increased quitting. Nabilone did not reduce use (Hill 2017, 18 people). In lab studies lasting a few days, withdrawal decreased, while the effect on relapse was inconsistent. In opioid withdrawal, dronabinol eased symptoms but did not change retention in treatment (Bisaga 2015, 60 people); in the lab, its effect was limited and it caused a racing heart at high doses (Lofwall 2016). In heavy drinkers, THC-containing marijuana reduced alcohol consumed in the lab by 19–27% but did not change an alcohol craving scale (Metrik 2026; single session). There are no studies of THC-containing products for tobacco. THC-containing products can also be addictive: among people given a medical cannabis card, cannabis use disorder developed about twice as often within 12 weeks (Gilman 2022). In cocaine use, a meta-analysis found craving increased more with cannabinoids than with placebo; in the 78-person study in this area, the difference was not significant; in alcohol use, full-spectrum CBD containing a little THC reduced craving but did not change the amount of drinking (Mueller 2025).
Evidence: THC-containing medicines for cannabis: may reduce withdrawal (2 clinical RCTs and short lab studies; no difference in 2 RCTs; small effect in a meta-analysis, low quality); reduced use in a single RCT, quit rate no different from placebo (Cochrane 2025, moderate certainty). For opioids and alcohol, a single RCT or lab study; no studies for tobacco
Dose range in studies
Cannabis: 400–800 mg/day (4 weeks); cocaine: 800 mg/day (12 weeks); heroin/opioids: 400–800 mg, 1 dose a day (3 days), single dose 600 mg, 600 mg/day (28 days); alcohol: about 150 mg/day (8 weeks), single dose 600–800 mg, 800 mg/day (3 days), 600–1200 mg/day; crack cocaine: 300 mg/day (10 days); tobacco: single dose 800 mg; opioids (registry results): 400 mg/day (4 weeks), then 800 mg/day. THC-containing medicines: for cannabis, nabiximols up to 86.4 mg THC + 80 mg CBD a day, dronabinol 40–60 mg/day, nabilone 2 mg/day; for opioid withdrawal, dronabinol 30 mg/day
Starting dose and titration
In the cocaine study, 400 mg/day for 2 days, then 800 mg/day; for alcohol, in Bogenschutz 2026, an increase to 1200 mg/day after 4 weeks
These are doses researchers gave under medical supervision; they are not a recommended dose for you. "mg/kg/day" means milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.
| Study | Participants | Product | Dose and titration | Duration | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman 2020 Phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive Bayesian RCT | 82 Cannabis use disorder | Pure CBD (+ motivational interviewing) | 200 / 400 / 800 mg/day | 4 weeks | 200 mg was found ineffective at the interim analysis and dropped; 400 and 800 mg lowered urine THC-COOH levels and increased days without use (400 mg: +0.48 days per week) Side effects: No serious side effects; 94% completed | PMID 32735782, doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30290-X, NCT02044809, PMID 36598543, cognition, PMID 37085531, blood anandamide) |
| Hurd 2019 Double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory RCT | 42 randomized and analyzed (15 placebo / 14 CBD 400 mg / 13 CBD 800 mg); 45 people enrolled in the registry Heroin use disorder (people who had stopped using) | Pure CBD (Epidiolex, oral solution) | 400 or 800 mg, 1 time a day | 3 days (follow-up 7 days later) | Drug cue-induced craving and anxiety decreased; heart rate and cortisol response fell Side effects: No serious side effects; diarrhea 2/14 at 400 mg, 4/13 at 800 mg, 0/15 with placebo (ClinicalTrials.gov) | PMID 31109198, doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18101191, NCT02539823, correction: Am J Psychiatry 2020, 177(7):641, PMID 32605447, NCT01605539, 9 people analyzed, no statistical comparison, in the first session, the increase in cue-induced craving was 2.67 with placebo and 0.83 with CBD, similar in later sessions) |
| Mongeau-Pérusse 2021 Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (single center) | 78 (40 CBD / 38 placebo) Moderate–severe cocaine use disorder (Canada) | Synthetic pure CBD, oral solution (300 mg/mL) | 800 mg/day 400 mg/day on days 2–3, then 800 mg/day | 10 days of inpatient detox + 12 weeks of outpatient follow-up | Cue-induced cocaine craving (p=0.069) and risk of returning to cocaine (HR 1.20; p=0.51) no different from placebo; by week 12, everyone except 3 people had used again Side effects: Drug-related side effects with CBD 17/40 (42.5%): most often diarrhea 14/40 (35%), nausea 3/40 | PMID 33464660, doi:10.1111/add.15417, NCT02559167, PMID 34331010, inflammatory markers), PMID 35135986, anxiety and cortisol, no different from placebo), PMID 35367279, cognition, no difference), PMID 38770686, anandamide, no difference) |
| Mueller 2025 Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT, 3 arms | 44 (13 full-spectrum, 15 broad-spectrum, 16 placebo) Moderate–severe alcohol use disorder (not seeking treatment) | Hemp-derived capsule: full-spectrum CBD (~15 mg CBD + 0.41 mg THC per capsule) or broad-spectrum CBD (no THC); placebo hemp seed oil | About 150 mg/day CBD (10 capsules a day); also ~4 mg/day THC in the full-spectrum arm None (spreading over the day was recommended) | 8 weeks (follow-up at week 16) | Drinks per drinking day did not decrease in any arm; alcohol craving and disorder symptoms decreased more in the full-spectrum arm Side effects: Side effect and dropout rates similar across arms; no serious side effects | PMID 40357520, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1516351, NCT04873453 |
| London 2025 Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT | 35 enrolled, 30 analyzed (18 CBD / 12 placebo) Opioid use disorder; adults on buprenorphine in inpatient addiction treatment | Hemp-derived CBD softgel capsule (ATL5, Ananda Scientific; 2 × 300 mg a day); product from the ClinicalTrials.gov record, THC content not stated | 600 mg/day | 28 days | Opioid craving and negative affect decreased in both groups; CBD was not superior to placebo (most comparisons favored placebo, with a trend favoring CBD for cue-induced craving) Side effects: Well tolerated; no serious side effects; most common were gastrointestinal complaints (in both groups); no significant interaction with buprenorphine seen | PMID 41467610, doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000001640, NCT03787628, 30 started, 17 completed) |
| Kirkland 2025 Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT (single dose) | 36 Young people aged 17–22 with alcohol use disorder, not seeking treatment | Pure CBD (Epidiolex, oral solution), with a fatty snack | Single dose 600 mg | Single dose (two sessions) | No difference from placebo in brain chemistry (MRS), brain response to alcohol cues, alcohol craving, heart and skin responses, or alcohol use Side effects: No CBD-related side effects seen | PMID 40500407, doi:10.1038/s41386-025-02141-z, NCT05317546 |
| Zimmermann 2025 (ICONIC) Double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel RCT (single dose) | 28 Alcohol use disorder (Germany) | Synthetic pure CBD capsule (99.8%; THC <0.1%) | Single dose 800 mg | Single session | Lower alcohol craving after stress and alcohol cues and during brain imaging; reduced nucleus accumbens response to cues; drinking was not measured Side effects: No side effects reported in the test session | PMID 39668256, doi:10.1038/s41380-024-02869-y, DRKS00029993, PMID 40879734, 800 mg CBD reduced amygdala response to negative emotional faces) |
| Hurzeler 2025 Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT | 22 Alcohol use disorder, not seeking treatment (Australia) | Oral CBD softgel capsule (4 × 200 mg; manufacturer Linnea; purity and THC content not stated in the protocol) | 800 mg/day | 3 days | In the lab, anxiety during alcohol cue exposure and alcohol craving afterward were lower; activity of the calming (parasympathetic) nervous system increased; drinking (heavy drinking days) is listed among the primary outcomes in the registry but was not reported in any of the five published articles (NCT05387148) Side effects: No impairment in executive functions; other side effects not in the abstract | PMID 39891614, doi:10.1111/acer.15514, NCT05387148, PMID 39252861, PMID 40551671, PMID 42678517, PMID 42873665 |
| Suzuki 2023 Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot RCT (single dose) | 10 (completers) Opioid use disorder treated with buprenorphine or methadone | Pure CBD (Epidiolex, oral solution) | Single dose 600 mg | Single dose (two sessions at least 1 week apart) | Cue-induced craving (0.2 vs. 1.3; p=0.040) and attentional bias toward drug cues decreased; no difference on other measures Side effects: No side effects reported | PMID 37065899, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1155984, NCT04982029, PMID 36105269, NCT04192370 |
| Wilson 2026 Meta-analysis (54 RCTs; mental and substance use disorders) | 2,477 Mental and substance use disorders | Various cannabinoids | In cannabis use, CBD+THC reduced withdrawal and use; no significant effect in opioid use disorder; craving increased in cocaine use; evidence quality generally low Side effects: Risk of any side effect increased (OR 1.75; NNTH=7); serious side effects did not increase | PMID 41856154, doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(26)00015-5, Correction: Lancet Psychiatry 2026, 13(8):e11, PMID 42302809, 2026, the axis of a figure and the study counts in the table were corrected, results unchanged) | ||
| Bogenschutz 2026 Two double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs | T1: 27 (14 CBD, 13 placebo); T2: 30 (17 CBD, 13 placebo) Alcohol use disorder (± PTSD) | Oral CBD capsule (Tilray, 200 mg, oil-based; hemp-derived, THC <0.1%), 2 times a day | T1: 600 mg/day for 4 weeks (400 morning + 200 evening), then 1200 mg/day for 4 weeks (600 × 2); T2: 600 mg/day (same split) In T1, dose increase after 4 weeks; the dose could be reduced if not tolerated | 8 / 6 weeks | No advantage over placebo for alcohol use, craving, mood or anxiety. Tilray provided the study drug and funding for part of the pharmacokinetic analysis (according to the publication, the funders had no role in design, conduct or analysis); 2 of 7 authors reported research support from Tilray Side effects: 7/31 (22.6%) of those taking CBD reduced or stopped the dose because of side effects; nausea 20% vs. 0% (p=0.025), diarrhea 27% vs. 12%; liver enzymes/bilirubin 1.5–6.5×ULN: 2 CBD, 1 placebo; 1 serious event (diabetic ketoacidosis, 'possibly related') | PMID 41312717, doi:10.1111/acer.70212, NCT03252756, with PTSD), results in registry |
| Spiga 2025 (Cochrane) Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis (37 RCTs) | 3,201 Cannabis use disorder | Various medicines: THC preparations, CBD, N-acetylcysteine, anticonvulsants, etc. | Variable | Abstinence from cannabis at the end of treatment with THC preparations no different from placebo (RR 1.04; 95% CI 0.71–1.52; 4 studies, 290 people; moderate certainty); a single study with CBD (RR 2.23; 0.54–9.32; low certainty); treatment completion with CBD similar to placebo (RR 1.02; moderate certainty). Authors: all medicines should be considered experimental Side effects: Likelihood of side effects with THC preparations (RR 1.05) and CBD (RR 1.01) similar to placebo (moderate certainty) | PMID 41025421, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008940.pub4, Network meta-analysis of the same drug trials (three of the authors are also authors of this review, PMID 41924869, evidence that medicines reduce cannabis use is very uncertain, abstinence with CBD OR 2.91, 95% credible interval 0.45–27.98, low certainty, contingency management and dialectical behavior or acceptance and commitment therapies reduced use, low certainty) | |
| Allsop 2014 Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (2 centers; inpatient detox) | 51 Treatment-seeking adults with cannabis dependence (DSM-IV) (Australia) | Nabiximols (THC + CBD mouth spray, Sativex) + standard psychosocial support | Up to 86.4 mg THC + 80 mg CBD a day (6-day schedule) 6-day predefined schedule (details not in the abstract) | 6 days on drug (9-day inpatient stay); 28 days of follow-up | Primary outcome: overall withdrawal severity decreased compared with placebo (F8,378 = 2.39; p = 0.01), including irritability, depressed mood and cannabis craving. Retention in treatment during the drug period was longer (HR 3.66; 95% CI 1.18–11.37; p = 0.02; NNT 2.84). At 28-day follow-up, cannabis use (p = 0.75), cannabis-related problems (p = 0.14) and dependence (p = 0.89) decreased similarly in both groups: no advantage over placebo after the drug was stopped. Participants could not tell which group they were in; nabiximols did not cause more intoxication. The conflict-of-interest statement could not be read (full text not open access) Side effects: Number (p = 0.59) and severity (p = 0.10) of side effects did not differ between the two groups | PMID 24430917, doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.3947, ANZCTR ACTRN12611000398909 |
| Lintzeris 2019 Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (4 centers; outpatient) | 128 randomized (61 nabiximols / 67 placebo); modified intention-to-treat analysis Treatment-seeking adults aged 18–64 with cannabis dependence (ICD-10) who had not benefited from previous treatments; people with other substance dependence were excluded (Australia) | Nabiximols (THC + CBD mouth spray, Sativex) + structured counseling | Flexible dose; up to 32 sprays a day (86.4 mg THC + 80 mg CBD). Average 17.6 sprays (47.5 mg THC + 44.0 mg CBD) Flexible; adjusted at weekly clinic visits | 12 weeks (follow-up at week 24) | Primary outcome: over 12 weeks, days of illicit cannabis use averaged 53.1 with placebo and 35.0 with nabiximols (difference 18.6 days; 95% CI 3.5–33.7; p = 0.02). Retention in treatment was similar (49.2% vs. 44.8%); health status improved similarly in both groups, and other substance use did not change. 3 months after treatment ended (week 24), the nabiximols group used on 6.7 fewer days in the last 28 days (p = 0.006); no use at all in the last 28 days 23% vs. 9% (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.1–9.1; Lintzeris 2020). Conflict of interest: 2 of 19 authors (one holds cannabinoid patents; the other received research support and fees from pharmaceutical companies outside the study) Side effects: According to the abstract, the drug was well tolerated with few side effects; detailed side effect numbers could not be read. A correction for errors in the supplementary file was published in 2023 (its content could not be read) | PMID 31305874, doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.1993, ANZCTR ACTRN12616000103460, PMID 32768992, PMID 35316689, mood, sleep and pain improved similarly in both groups), PMID 36209081, PMID 29776349, correction: JAMA Intern Med 2023, 183(12):1414, PMID 37812434, content could not be read) |
| Trigo 2018 Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT | 40 randomized (20 nabiximols / 20 placebo); 27 completed Treatment-seeking adults with cannabis dependence (Canada) | Nabiximols (THC + CBD mouth spray, Sativex) + motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy | As needed; up to 42 sprays a day (113.4 mg THC + 105 mg CBD); in practice an average of 8.1 sprays a day (about 21.9 mg THC + 20.3 mg CBD) Self-titration; highest dose reached on day 10 | 12 weeks | Primary outcomes: the drug was well tolerated; 7-day abstinence 1 week after the drug period was 30.8% with nabiximols (4 people) and 42.9% with placebo (6 people), no significant difference. Cannabis use decreased in both groups (in grams, 70.5% with nabiximols and 42.6% with placebo), but there was no significant difference between groups in the amount used (p = 0.18) or in use days (p = 0.30). Cannabis craving decreased in both groups (no main effect between groups; interaction with time significant, p < 0.05); no difference in withdrawal scores. Participants were paid up to 855 Canadian dollars for their time; the manufacturer donated the drug and placebo (no other role) Side effects: No serious side effects; side effect rates did not differ between the two groups (F1,39 = 0.205) | PMID 29385147, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0190768, NCT01747850, PMID 37692969, values within normal limits), PMID 27261670 |
| Levin 2011 Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT | 156 Adults with cannabis dependence (USA) | Dronabinol (synthetic THC) + weekly motivational interviewing and relapse prevention therapy | 20 mg, 2 times a day (40 mg/day) Dose reduced for side effects; tapered off in weeks 9–10 | 12 weeks (1-week placebo lead-in, 8 weeks full dose, 2 weeks tapering, 2 weeks placebo) | Primary outcome: 2 weeks of continuous abstinence at the end of the full-dose period was 17.7% with dronabinol and 15.6% with placebo (not significant); use decreased similarly in both groups. Retention in treatment was higher with dronabinol (77% vs. 61%; p = 0.02) and withdrawal symptoms were lower (p = 0.02) Side effects: Any side effect 67% vs. 58% (no difference); 4 serious events (3 dronabinol, 1 placebo); the dose was reduced because of side effects in a small number of people | PMID 21310551, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.010, NCT00217971, PMID 24067260 |
| Levin 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT | 156 enrolled; 122 randomized after a 1-week placebo lead-in Adults with cannabis use disorder (dependence) (USA) | Dronabinol (synthetic THC) + lofexidine (an alpha-2 agonist from the blood pressure medicine class) + weekly therapy | Dronabinol 20 mg and lofexidine 0.6 mg, 3 times a day (dronabinol 60 mg/day) Tapered over 2 weeks after week 8 | 11 weeks | Primary outcome: 3 weeks of continuous abstinence during the full-dose period was 27.9% in the drug group and 29.5% with placebo (no difference); use decreased similarly in both groups; weekly withdrawal scores also did not differ between groups (p = 0.83); authors: the combination was not promising. In a pooled secondary analysis of three trials, those taking the drug were more likely to move from heavy to moderate use after the middle of the trials (Levin 2021). Conflict of interest: the first author received lofexidine from the manufacturer and had previously consulted for GW Pharmaceuticals; 4 of 12 authors reported pharmaceutical company ties (drug supply, consulting) Side effects: Dry mouth, feeling intoxicated and low blood pressure were more common in the drug group (p < 0.001; 0.004; 0.008); less anxiety (p = 0.044); 2 serious events (1 in each group, in the week after the drug was stopped) | PMID 26711160, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.11.025, NCT01020019, PMID 34087745 |
| Hill 2017 Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT | 18 randomized (10 nabilone / 8 placebo); 12 completed Adults with cannabis dependence (DSM-IV) (USA) | Nabilone (synthetic THC-like cannabinoid) + medication management sessions | 2 mg/day | 10 weeks | Cannabis use decreased in both groups but not significantly; no difference in use days between nabilone and placebo (self-report and urine tests 2 times a week). The manufacturer supplied nabilone; 1 of 7 authors had previously consulted for GW Pharmaceuticals and Indivior Side effects: With nabilone, 8 mild-to-moderate side effects in 2 people; with placebo, 6 in 4 people; no serious side effects | PMID 28921814, doi:10.1111/ajad.12622, NCT01347762 |
| Slagle 2026 (PP-01) Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT (phase 1b/2a; inpatient) | 14 Adults with moderate–severe cannabis use disorder using at least 1 g a day and not seeking treatment (USA) | PP-01: combination of nabilone (synthetic THC-like cannabinoid) + gabapentin (investigational drug) | 6 mg nabilone + 600 mg gabapentin 1 time a day (4 days) | Two 5-night inpatient periods; 4 doses in each period | Primary outcome: the severity (p = 0.022) and discomfort (p = 0.006) of cannabis withdrawal decreased compared with placebo; sleep and cannabis craving improved. The study was conducted by the company developing the drug: 3 of 5 authors are company employees (holding shares or options), and 2 are company consultants (one holding shares or options). As of October 28, 2026, the result of a 234-person phase 2 study of the same drug (NCT05494437, finished in August 2023) has not been published Side effects: Side effects in 10 of 13 people (77%) during the PP-01 period and 8 of 13 people (62%) during the placebo period; all mild, no serious side effects | PMID 42717263, doi:10.1111/ajad.70202, NCT05494437, finished in August 2023, no results), NCT07644052, ongoing) |
| Haney 2008 Placebo-controlled, within-subject inpatient laboratory RCT (4 drug conditions, with outpatient washout periods in between) | 8 men Male volunteers not seeking treatment who smoked an average of 12 marijuana cigarettes a day (USA) | Dronabinol (synthetic THC), lofexidine (an alpha-2 agonist; not a cannabinoid), both together, or placebo | THC 60 mg/day; lofexidine 2.4 mg/day | 7 inpatient days for each drug condition (3 days of inactive marijuana: withdrawal; 4 days of active marijuana: relapse model) | THC alone reversed withdrawal-related loss of appetite and weight loss and reduced some withdrawal symptoms, but it delayed falling asleep and did not reduce marijuana smoking in the laboratory relapse model. When given with lofexidine, sleep, withdrawal, craving and relapse improved more than with either drug alone (this combination was tested clinically in 122 people and did not increase quitting: Levin 2016). An 8-person laboratory study lasting a few days; it does not show a treatment effect. Funding from NIDA (PMC record); the declaration of interests could not be read (the full text could not be downloaded) Side effects: THC delayed falling asleep; lofexidine caused sleepiness and worsened the loss of appetite during withdrawal; no other details in the abstract | PMID 18161012, doi:10.1007/s00213-007-1020-8, NCT00373503, no results in the registry record). Two other studies from the same center (New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University) testing oral THC with the same laboratory method were not given separate rows, their results point the same way: Hart 2002 (12 people, maintenance on THC for 3 days at a time did not change the choice to smoke marijuana, PMID 12127201, on marijuana-free days, THC reduced withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sleep problems and marijuana craving, PMID 14560320 |
| Haney 2013 Placebo-controlled, within-subject lab study (inpatient; dose order counterbalanced) | 11 (8 men, 3 women) Volunteers smoking an average of 8 marijuana cigarettes a day and not seeking treatment (USA) | Nabilone (synthetic THC-like cannabinoid) | 0, 6 or 8 mg/day (1 time a day) | Three 8-day inpatient periods | Both doses reduced marijuana smoking in the lab relapse model and reversed withdrawal-related irritability and disruptions in sleep and eating (p < 0.05); liking or wanting the capsules did not differ from placebo. The conflict-of-interest statement could not be read (full text could not be downloaded) Side effects: 8 mg/day slightly impaired psychomotor performance | PMID 23443718, doi:10.1038/npp.2013.54, A study by the same center testing nabilone together with the sleep medicine zolpidem in the same laboratory relapse model was not given a separate row, its result points the same way: Herrmann 2016 (11 people, zolpidem + nabilone reduced withdrawal-related disruptions in mood, sleep and eating, and relapse to marijuana smoking, PMID 27085870 |
| Lundahl 2015 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover laboratory study (single dose; 3 sessions, dose order counterbalanced) | 14 (7 men, 7 women) Adults with cannabis dependence (DSM-IV) smoking an average of 5.4 marijuana joints a day (USA; all participants were African American) | Dronabinol (oral synthetic THC capsule) | A single dose of 0, 10 or 20 mg; marijuana cues 120 minutes later | 3 sessions (at least 7 days apart; an overnight stay in the research unit before each session) | Marijuana cues (images, sounds, smell, touch) increased marijuana craving, anxiety and feelings of hunger in the placebo session. 10 and 20 mg of THC reduced the cue-induced urge to smoke marijuana (p = 0.003), the desire to use marijuana (p = 0.013) and anxiety (p = 0.032) compared with placebo; they did not reduce hunger; on one craving scale (MCQ compulsivity subscale), an effect was seen only in women. A 14-person, single-session laboratory measurement; it does not show a treatment effect. Funding from NIDA and the State of Michigan; the authors reported no conflicts of interest Side effects: THC slightly increased pulse and slightly lowered diastolic blood pressure (statistically significant, of no clinical importance according to the authors); on its own it did not produce noticeable subjective effects | PMID 25725933, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.046, NCT00218504, no results in the registry record) |
| Trigo 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject study (ABACADAE; the order of drug conditions across four 5-day cannabis-free periods was counterbalanced at random) | 16 randomized; 9 completed and were analyzed Adults from the community with cannabis dependence who were not seeking treatment (Canada; mostly men) | Nabiximols (THC + CBD mouth spray, Sativex) or placebo spray; fixed or self-titrated dose | Fixed dose: 4 sprays an hour, at most 40 sprays a day (108 mg THC + 100 mg CBD) In the self-titrated condition, by the person themselves up to at most 40 sprays a day | 8 weeks (four periods of usual use and four cannabis-free periods, each lasting 1 week) | The high fixed dose reduced withdrawal scores during the cannabis-free period compared with placebo (p < 0.01) and did not change cannabis craving; self-titrated doses stayed lower and had a limited effect. A 9-person pilot study; quitting or reducing use was not tested. In the same team’s 40-person RCT (Trigo 2018), there was no significant difference in use between groups. Funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; the manufacturer donated the drug and the placebo; the authors reported no conflicts of interest Side effects: No serious side effects; the number of side effects did not differ between conditions; expected side effects such as nausea, sleep problems and diarrhea were seen | PMID 26925704, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.020, NCT01748799, results in the registry record) |
| Haney 2016 (CBD) Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject lab RCT (multicenter) | 31 completed (17 men, 14 women); 50 people enrolled according to the registry Healthy volunteers who regularly smoked marijuana and were not seeking treatment (USA) | Oral pure synthetic CBD capsule (STI Pharmaceuticals); 90 minutes later, a marijuana cigarette (5.3–5.8% THC) or a THC-free placebo cigarette | Single dose 0, 200, 400 or 800 mg CBD | 8 outpatient sessions (single dose) | No dose of CBD changed the reinforcing effects of marijuana (choosing to self-administer), 'high' and 'good effect' ratings, liking of the cigarette or the rise in heart rate compared with placebo; authors: oral CBD does not reduce the reinforcing, physiological or positive subjective effects of smoked marijuana. In the abuse analysis of the same trial, CBD itself also did not differ from placebo on any measure (Babalonis 2017). Funding NIDA (Babalonis 2017); the conflict-of-interest statement of Haney 2016 could not be read (full text could not be downloaded) Side effects: CBD alone had no notable psychiatric or cardiovascular effects | PMID 26708108, doi:10.1038/npp.2015.367, NCT01844687, PMID 28088032 |
| Schlienz 2018 Placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover study (inpatient; order counterbalanced) | 13 Adults who used cannabis daily and were not seeking treatment (USA) | Dronabinol (synthetic THC); option of a 5.7% THC or <1% THC marijuana cigarette | Placebo, 120 mg/day (40 mg × 3) or 180–240 mg/day (60–80 mg × 3) | 3 × 12 days | When active marijuana was offered, self-administered marijuana smoking decreased during the dronabinol periods compared with placebo; no difference between the low and high doses. Dronabinol also suppressed withdrawal. Conflict of interest: 1 of 4 authors reported consulting fees from cannabinoid drug companies and cannabis businesses Side effects: Not in the abstract | PMID 29689485, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.02.022, NCT01394185, two other studies by teams that included the same researcher (Vandrey), measuring the effect of oral THC on withdrawal during cannabis-free periods with a dose comparison, were not given separate rows, their results point the same way (THC reduced withdrawal in a dose-dependent way): Budney 2007 (8 people, outpatient, PMID 16769180, inpatient, PMID 22921474 |
| Herrmann 2019 Placebo-controlled lab study: randomized parallel groups for varenicline, within-subject crossover for nabilone (inpatient) | 62 completed the outpatient phase, 46 the inpatient phase Volunteers who used both tobacco and cannabis and were not seeking treatment (USA) | Nabilone (synthetic THC-like cannabinoid) ± varenicline (smoking cessation drug) | Nabilone 4 mg, 2 times a day (8 mg/day); varenicline 1 mg, 2 times a day Varenicline increased over the first 8 days; nabilone stopped without tapering | 15 days outpatient + 16 days inpatient (two 8-day nabilone periods) | Nabilone reduced cannabis withdrawal in both groups but did not reduce cannabis smoking in the lab relapse model (relapse 44% and 36% with nabilone, 38% and 40% with placebo). Quitting tobacco was more common in those taking varenicline (46% vs. 24%). Conflict of interest: 2 of 8 authors reported partial salary support from a cannabinoid drug company for another study Side effects: Not in the abstract | PMID 30378231, doi:10.1111/adb.12664, A study by the same center using the same method, with a different result (nabilone reduced relapse to smoking), is in a separate row: Haney 2013 |
| NCT03102918 (McLean Hospital, registry results) Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (phase 1; registry results, no peer-reviewed publication) | 10 randomized (5 CBD / 5 placebo); 9 analyzed Adults with cannabis use disorder (USA) | Pure CBD (Epidiolex, oral solution) + medical support sessions | Up to 800 mg a day | 6 weeks (follow-up at weeks 10 and 14) | Primary outcome (daily cannabis puffs, self-reported): in the CBD group 26.0 (SD 22.0) at baseline and 26.7 (SD 27.0; 4 people) at week 6; with placebo 21.0 (SD 26.6) at baseline and 5.3 (SD 4.3; 5 people) at week 6. No statistical comparison in the registry, and the registry states that the sample is too small for a definitive result; urine THC level, mentioned in the registry summary as a second primary measure, is not in the results. No peer-reviewed publication (PubMed search by registry number gave 0 results, October 28, 2026) Side effects: No serious or other side effects reported in either group (registry) | NCT03102918, 2019) |
| Ghosh 2025 (UK Medical Cannabis Registry) Uncontrolled patient registry analysis (no comparison group), 6-month follow-up | 34 Adults prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products for substance use disorder (UK); 79% men, 85% using illegal cannabis at baseline; most often opioid use disorder (18 people, 53%) | Prescription cannabis-based medicinal products: oil (4 people), dried flower (14) or both (16); THC and CBD content not in the abstract | Not in the abstract (the full text could not be accessed) | 6 months (assessments at months 1, 3 and 6) | Uncontrolled: compared with baseline, anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) scores improved at months 1, 3 and 6 (p < 0.050); the amount of prescribed opioids (oral morphine equivalent, median) was 274.95 mg/day at baseline and 204.45 mg/day at month 6 (p = 0.043), with no difference at months 1 and 3. Because there is no comparison group, these changes cannot be said to come from the cannabis product; the authors also write that RCTs are needed to show cause and effect. Substance use itself (illegal use, quitting) is not reported in the abstract. 11 of the 12 authors are affiliated with a private medical cannabis clinic that prescribes these products to patients; the declaration of interests could not be read (the full text could not be accessed) Side effects: 3 of 34 people (8.8%) reported a total of 17 side effects; their types and severity are not in the abstract | PMID 40738021, doi:10.1159/000547696 |
| Bisaga 2015 Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT | 60 (40 dronabinol / 20 placebo) Opioid dependence; inpatient detox and transition to long-acting naltrexone injection (USA) | Dronabinol (synthetic THC) | 30 mg/day | 8 weeks (inpatient detox + 5 weeks outpatient) | Primary outcomes: during the inpatient period, opioid withdrawal was milder with dronabinol (p = 0.006); successful transition to naltrexone (66% vs. 55%) and completing 8 weeks (35% vs. 35%) did not differ. In a post hoc analysis, those who regularly smoked marijuana during the outpatient period (32%) completed treatment more often (not a randomized comparison) Side effects: Any side effect 91% with placebo and 96% with dronabinol; most often insomnia, nausea-vomiting and diarrhea (consistent with prolonged withdrawal due to naltrexone); 3 serious events | PMID 26187456, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.013, NCT01024335 |
| Lofwall 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject lab RCT (5 weeks inpatient) | 12 Adults physically dependent on short-acting opioids; maintained on oxycodone, with withdrawal induced by 21 hours of placebo before each session (USA) | Dronabinol (synthetic THC); comparison oxycodone and placebo | Single dose 5, 10, 20 or 30 mg (reduced from 40 mg) | 5 weeks; 7 experimental sessions | 5 and 10 mg were similar to placebo; 20 and 30 mg suppressed withdrawal slightly and briefly but caused dose-dependent "high," drowsiness, bad effects and a feeling of racing heart; they were not liked more than placebo. Authors: dronabinol does not appear to be a suitable candidate for opioid withdrawal. Conflict of interest: 2 of 5 authors reported fees or research support from addiction medicine companies Side effects: 40 mg caused persistent racing heart (sinus tachycardia), anxiety and panic, and the dose was reduced to 30 mg; 20 and 30 mg raised heart rate for about 2 hours (Jicha 2015) | PMID 27234658, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.002, PMID 26483357 |
| Costa 2026 (opioids and pain) Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover lab RCT (opioid maintenance model) | 23 (11 women) Adults on methadone with opioid use disorder and chronic pain (USA) | Pure CBD (Epidiolex, oral solution); placebo sesame oil | Single dose 400, 800 or 1,200 mg | Single-dose sessions | Primary outcomes were pain modulation: before the methadone dose, CBD increased descending pain inhibition in a dose-dependent way (p = 0.034); after methadone, 1,200 mg lowered the heat pain threshold (increased pain sensitivity; p = 0.017). Cue-induced opioid craving, the question of this topic (an exploratory measure), did not differ from placebo at any dose (p = 0.728; a numerical decrease after methadone, largest at 800 mg, p = 0.127); cognitive performance was preserved. In the registry (NCT04587791), the primary outcomes were safety, abuse potential and cognition; in the article, the pain measures are primary. The manufacturer supplied CBD and placebo; 1 of 6 authors reported drug supply and consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies Side effects: All side effects were mild and resolved on their own | PMID 42162267, doi:10.1038/s41386-026-02443-w, NCT04587791, PMID 41496743, NCT05076370, no marked sedation in the registry results) |
| NCT06206291 (Mount Sinai, registry results) Quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (phase 2): CBD or placebo for the first 4 weeks, CBD for everyone for the next 4 weeks; registry results, no peer-reviewed publication | 76 (methadone: 32 CBD / 30 placebo; buprenorphine: 8 / 6) Opioid use disorder treated with methadone or buprenorphine (USA) | CBD capsule (BSPG Laboratories; purity not stated in the registry) | First 4 weeks 2 × 200 mg a day or placebo; next 4 weeks 2 × 400 mg a day for everyone (description in the registry) | 8 weeks on drug (first 4 weeks randomized to CBD or placebo, next 4 weeks CBD for everyone) + 4 weeks of drug-free follow-up | Primary outcomes (week 4): change in cue-induced craving in those on methadone was 0.07 with CBD and 0.04 with placebo; in those on buprenorphine, 0.13 vs. −1.20 (0–10 scale); similar small differences in anxiety; illicit opioids in urine in 75.9% vs. 80.8% of those on methadone and 12.5% vs. 20% of those on buprenorphine. No statistical comparison in the registry. No peer-reviewed publication (PubMed search by registry number gave 0 results, October 28, 2026) Side effects: No serious side effects; other side effects in the first 4 weeks among those on methadone 12/32 with CBD and 21/30 with placebo; most often abdominal pain, diarrhea and fatigue | NCT06206291, 2026) |
| Meneses-Gaya 2021 Double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory RCT (inpatient) | 31 men Inpatient men with crack cocaine addiction (Brazil) | Pure CBD capsule (99.9% pure CBD powder in corn oil; 150 mg capsule) | 300 mg/day | 10 days | Craving decreased in both groups over 10 days; no difference between CBD and placebo. The craving induction procedure worked similarly in both groups; anxiety, depression and sleep measures did not differ. Conflict of interest: 3 of 8 authors are inventors on a patent for a CBD derivative, and 2 received consulting fees and travel support from a CBD manufacturer Side effects: Drowsiness/long sleep 5 vs. 3, nausea 2 vs. 1, headache 2 vs. 1 (all no difference) | PMID 33146345, doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1416 |
| Metrik 2026 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover RCT (lab) | 157 randomized; 138 completed at least two sessions Adults who drank heavily, used cannabis at least 2 times a week and did not want to quit or be treated (USA; mean age 25.6; 35% women; 43% had alcohol use disorder and 76% cannabis use disorder) | Marijuana cigarette: 7.2% THC, 3.1% THC or 0.03% THC (placebo); plant material from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse | One cigarette per session | 3 experiment days (one-time smoking) | Primary outcomes: no difference on the alcohol craving scale (ACQ-SF-R); 7.2% THC reduced the single-item urge to drink only right after smoking. Secondary outcome: alcohol consumed in an alcohol choice task was 19% lower with 3.1% THC and 27% lower with 7.2% THC. A single-session lab effect after overnight cannabis abstinence; it does not show a treatment effect. Conflict of interest: 1 of 6 authors reported company ties unrelated to cannabis Side effects: According to the registry, no serious side effects; 1 other side effect among 157 people | PMID 41254853, doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.20250115, NCT02983773 |
| Morgan 2013 Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT | 24 (12 CBD / 12 placebo) Tobacco smokers who wanted to quit (England) | CBD inhaler (used when the urge to smoke came; product details not in the abstract) | Not in the abstract As needed | 1 week (then follow-up) | During one week of treatment, the number of cigarettes smoked in the CBD group fell by about 40% from its own baseline and did not change in the placebo group; the effect was reported to persist partly at follow-up. These are within-group changes; a direct comparison of the two groups and the length of follow-up are not in the abstract. Quit rate was not measured. The conflict-of-interest statement could not be read (full text not open access) Side effects: Not in the abstract | PMID 23685330, doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.03.011 |
| Hindocha 2018 Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT (lab; first a fixed satiated session, then two overnight abstinence sessions) | 30 Dependent cigarette smokers not seeking treatment (England) | Pure synthetic CBD capsule (STI Pharmaceuticals); placebo lactose | Single dose 800 mg | 2 single-dose abstinence sessions | With placebo, overnight abstinence increased attentional bias toward cigarette images; CBD reversed this (p = 0.007) and reduced how pleasant the images seemed (p = 0.011). Cigarette craving and withdrawal were not affected by CBD (Bayes factors 7.08 and 6.95: evidence for no effect). In the second publication of the same trial, CBD did not improve working memory or impulsivity and increased errors on an impulse control task (Hindocha 2018b) Side effects: No subjective side effects; during abstinence, systolic blood pressure fell with CBD | PMID 29714034, doi:10.1111/add.14243, Second publication of the same trial: Hindocha 2018b, PMID 29765102, impulsivity and memory) |
| Gilman 2022 Pragmatic RCT (getting a medical cannabis card right away or after 12 weeks; 2:1; participants not blinded, only assessors blinded) | 269 randomized; 186 analyzed (105 immediate, 81 waiting; those with a baseline and at least one follow-up measurement; in the immediate group, only those who got the card: 53 of the 173 people assigned to this group did not get a card) Adults aged 18–65 who wanted to use medical cannabis for chronic pain, insomnia or anxiety/depression symptoms (Boston, USA) | Cannabis products chosen by participants themselves from dispensaries (THC and/or CBD; product, dose and frequency unrestricted; proportions in a supplementary table, not read) | Unrestricted | 12 weeks (9 months of extra follow-up) | Those who got the card right away had more cannabis use disorder symptoms (mean difference 0.28; 95% CI 0.15–0.40), and cannabis use disorder developed in 17.1% vs. 8.6% within 12 weeks (adjusted OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.17–7.07); 28.3% vs. 10.8% among those who applied for anxiety or depression. Insomnia symptoms decreased; no difference in pain, anxiety or depression. In the uncontrolled 9-month follow-up, cannabis use disorder developed in 11.7% of participants and in 17.1% of those who used daily or almost daily (Cooke 2023) Side effects: The main outcome is a harm measure (cannabis use disorder); other side effects are not in this row | PMID 35302633, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2106, NCT03224468, PMID 36960460, PMID 36638745, 181 people, frequency of cannabis use increased over 12 weeks in those who got the card, but not in those waiting, according to the authors, this increase raises the risk of cannabis use disorder) |
| Zammit Dimech 2026 Systematic review, narrative synthesis without meta-analysis (weighted by design; 1975–2025) | 97 studies; 41,954 participants Opioid, alcohol, cocaine, tobacco and methamphetamine use disorders | Any cannabinoid exposure (medicines and cannabis use) | Of 195 outcomes, 45.6% were beneficial, 41.0% null, 6.2% mixed and 7.2% harmful. Most beneficial findings were in short-term symptoms (craving, withdrawal, consumption; 76.4%) and mostly from weakly designed studies; for lasting outcomes (complete abstinence, relapse prevention, retention in treatment) there was mostly no effect, most clearly in opioid use disorder. Authors: cannabinoids provide short-term symptom benefit; they have not been shown to bring about lasting abstinence | PMID 42466639, doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2026.12236, PROSPERO CRD420251151193 | ||
| Redonnet 2025 Umbrella review (22 systematic reviews, 5 with meta-analysis; AMSTAR 2) | 22 systematic reviews Substance use disorders (cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, opioids and others) | Pure CBD or CBD together with THC | The evidence on CBD's effectiveness in substance use disorders is mixed. Nabiximols, containing THC and CBD, showed a positive effect on cannabis withdrawal and craving. The effect of CBD alone on quitting, reducing or staying abstinent from cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, opioids and other substances is limited and uncertain; the authors conclude that CBD alone does not appear to be effective | PMID 39947878, doi:10.1111/add.16745 | ||
| Costa 2024 Systematic review and meta-analysis (10 longitudinal observational studies) | 8,367 participants (38% women); mean follow-up 9.7 months Opioid use disorder treated with methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone | Cannabis used by participants on their own (no product information) | Cannabis use during treatment was not associated with illicit opioid use (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.97–1.04); moderate heterogeneity and publication bias. Observational; it does not show benefit or harm of cannabis as a treatment. An earlier systematic review (Lake 2020, 41 studies) also found no significant association in most studies | PMID 38225727, doi:10.1080/00952990.2023.2287406, PMID 33130527 | ||
| Costa 2026 (alcohol review) Systematic review and meta-analysis of animal and human studies (human studies narrative) | 63 studies Alcohol use disorder | Drugs acting on the endocannabinoid system (CB1 blockers, CB1 agonists, CBD) | In animals, CBD reduced alcohol intake (SMD −0.70) and CB1 agonists increased it (SMD +0.66). In human studies, results were inconsistent and generally null; most were with rimonabant (not in the table on this site) or CBD. 1 of 8 authors reported drug supply and consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies | PMID 41760917, doi:10.1038/s41380-026-03523-5 | ||
| Costa 2026 (tobacco review) Systematic review and meta-analysis of animal, observational and experimental human studies (through January 2026) | 52 studies; 18 studies, 229,034 people in the observational meta-analysis Tobacco use disorder | Cannabis use and drugs acting on the endocannabinoid system (including CBD) | In observational studies, people who used cannabis were less likely to quit smoking (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.67–0.83; high heterogeneity). In experimental human studies, CBD reduced cigarette consumption, reduced attention to smoking cues and eased withdrawal (Morgan 2013, Hindocha 2018 and one uncontrolled study); CB1 inverse agonists were abandoned because of psychiatric side effects. The numbers differed in the non-peer-reviewed preprint (OR 0.65). 1 of 8 authors reported drug supply and consulting fees from pharmaceutical companies | PMID 42863773, doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.107032, PMID 41728311, PROSPERO CRD420250652724 |
Reported side effects
- In healthy volunteers, CBD increased the risk of diarrhea (RR 5.85); a non-significant trend toward more abdominal pain and headache (Sawaira 2026, PMID 41789242)
- Psychiatric and nervous system side effects are more common with THC-containing products (Filippini 2022, PMID 35510826); the likelihood of side effects increased with any cannabinoid (OR 1.75; Wilson 2026)
- In the cocaine study, diarrhea in 35% with CBD 800 mg/day (Mongeau-Pérusse 2021)
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: recurring nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain with regular (usually daily or weekly) cannabis use; relief from a hot bath or shower is typical, and it goes away when cannabis is stopped (Sorensen 2017, PMID 28000146; American Gastroenterological Association 2024)
- Cannabis use disorder with THC-containing products: 17.1% vs. 8.6% within 12 weeks among people given a medical cannabis card (Gilman 2022, RCT); about 25% among medical cannabis users (Dawson 2024, PMID 38493566; meta-analysis of observational studies)
- Synthetic THC (dronabinol) in opioid withdrawal: increased heart rate at 20 mg and above; persistent racing heart, anxiety and panic at 40 mg (Jicha 2015 / Lofwall 2016, 12 people); dry mouth, feeling intoxicated and low blood pressure with dronabinol + lofexidine (Levin 2016)
- CBD has low abuse potential: at 750 mg the liking score did not differ from placebo, with a small increase at 1,500–4,500 mg (Schoedel 2018, PMID 30286443); no withdrawal was seen in healthy volunteers when it was stopped suddenly after 4 weeks at a high dose (Taylor 2020, PMID 32036242; a study by the drug's manufacturer)
Who should be careful
- High doses and market doses cannot be compared: in low-dose (≤175 mg/day) studies, plasma levels were 5–100 times lower than with the 20 mg/kg Epidiolex dose (Warren 2026, PMID 42473010)
- Anyone taking a medicine long-term should talk to a doctor before starting; the studies on this page did not systematically assess interactions
- It does not replace proven medicines in opioid treatment (buprenorphine/methadone); an interaction case with methadone has been reported (details in the site's drug interactions section)
- It cannot be said to be 'good for every addiction': in cocaine use disorder, pure CBD did not prevent relapse; in a meta-analysis, cannabinoids increased cocaine craving
- A reduction in craving with a single dose or a few days of CBD in the lab does not mean that substance use or relapse goes down
- In people who use cannabis frequently over a long time, recurring bouts of severe nausea and vomiting may be cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome; temporary relief from a hot bath or shower is typical, and the most effective solution is to stop using cannabis (Sorensen 2017 systematic review, PMID 28000146; for diagnosis and treatment, the American Gastroenterological Association 2024 clinical practice update). In two small hospital studies, haloperidol reduced abdominal pain and nausea more than ondansetron (Ruberto 2021, PMID 33160719, 30 people); capsaicin cream applied to the skin reduced nausea more than placebo at minute 60, while at minute 30, the primary measure, the difference was not clear (Dean 2020, PMID 32569429, 30 people). No cannabinoids were used in these treatment studies
- Although THC-containing medicines can ease cannabis withdrawal, they are not approved for cannabis addiction; in the studies in the table, they were given under a doctor's supervision and with psychological support. THC-containing cannabis products can themselves be addictive: among adults given a medical cannabis card, cannabis use disorder developed in 17.1% within 12 weeks, compared with 8.6% of those put on a waiting list (Gilman 2022)
- The effect of CBD on quitting smoking has not been proven; it does not replace proven smoking cessation treatments
- In some people who use cannabis every day, blood pressure can rise when cannabis is stopped suddenly: in a small study of 13 people followed in the hospital for 11 days, blood pressure was significantly higher on days without cannabis than on days with cannabis; the rise was marked in 6 people (average increase of up to 22.8 mmHg in systolic and 12.3 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure), and the authors recommended monitoring blood pressure during the quitting period, especially in people with high blood pressure (Vandrey 2011, PMID 21359104). In 39 people who were admitted to the hospital for treatment and stopped heavy use suddenly, however, no significant change in blood pressure or heart rate was seen (Bonnet 2016, PMID 26761126). Both studies are small and their results differ
Drug interactions
- The studies on this page did not systematically assess drug interactions; details are in the site's drug interactions section
- No clear problems were seen with opioids in small studies: in healthy volunteers who had used opioids before, 400–800 mg of CBD by mouth given together with intravenous fentanyl did not cause respiratory depression or heart and blood vessel problems (Manini 2015, PMID 25748562); in 7 people on methadone or buprenorphine, a single dose of 400–1,200 mg CBD did not cause marked sedation (Costa 2026b, open-label, PMID 41496743); no significant interaction was reported with 28 days of CBD in 30 people on buprenorphine (London 2025). These are short, small studies; an interaction case with methadone has been reported
Abbreviations: RCT, randomized controlled trial (a study in which participants are assigned to groups by chance); placebo, an inactive substance; SMD, OR and RR, effect measures used in analyses that pool studies; CYP, liver enzymes that break down medicines.
If you are considering CBD
- There are medicines with proven effects for opioid addiction (for example buprenorphine and methadone); CBD does not replace them. Do not stop these medicines on your own.
- If you take methadone or another medicine, do not add CBD without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
- In the cannabis study, CBD was not given on its own but together with psychological support. Getting support from a specialist while quitting is an important step.
- Check the product label and certificate of analysis (COA); find out whether it contains THC.
Choose your age group, medicines and situation to prepare a short summary you can take to your doctor. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
Bottom line
The promising signs for CBD in addiction are seen mostly in cannabis use and in lab measures of craving; these signs come from small, early studies. In cocaine and alcohol use, it did not reduce substance use or relapse; in opioid use, the result of the only study that measured use is available only in a trial registry and includes no statistical comparison. In cannabis addiction, THC-containing medicines can ease withdrawal, but they have not been consistently shown to increase lasting abstinence (weak evidence), and THC itself can be addictive; for smoking, there are only two small studies with CBD. The strongest support on the road to quitting is proven treatments and a process carried out with a specialist.
Frequently asked questions
Does CBD oil work for addiction?
It depends on the substance, and the evidence is generally weak. In cannabis use disorder, CBD given together with psychological support reduced use in one small study. In cocaine and alcohol use, CBD was not seen to reduce substance use or relapse compared with an inactive drug (placebo); in opioid use, the result of the only study that measured use is available only in a trial registry and includes no statistical comparison. For quitting cannabis, medicines such as a mouth spray containing THC and CBD or synthetic THC can ease withdrawal symptoms, but they have not been consistently shown to increase lasting abstinence (weak evidence); there is no approved medicine for cannabis addiction, and the Cochrane review states that all of these medicines should be considered experimental.
Does CBD work for opioid or heroin addiction?
In small lab studies, CBD reduced craving triggered by drug-related cues. However, when 30 people on buprenorphine treatment were given CBD for 28 days, craving did not fall more than with placebo; relapse was not measured in the published opioid studies; the results of a 76-person study that measured use with urine tests are available only in a trial registry: the rates were close in the two groups, and no statistical comparison was published. A THC-containing medicine (dronabinol) eased withdrawal during opioid detox but did not increase retention in treatment; at high doses it caused a racing heart and anxiety. This is weak evidence based on two small studies. CBD does not replace proven medicines such as buprenorphine or methadone.
Does CBD work for alcohol addiction?
In some lab studies, high-dose CBD briefly reduced alcohol craving; in a study of young people, however, no effect was seen. In studies that measured how much people drank, CBD was not found to be better than placebo. Also, at high doses, some participants needed their dose limited because of side effects. In a single lab study of heavy drinkers who also used cannabis, THC-containing marijuana reduced alcohol consumption at that moment; but this is not a treatment study (weak evidence), and THC itself can be addictive.
Does CBD work for cocaine addiction?
In a study of 78 people, CBD 800 mg a day (study dose; not a personal recommendation) did not reduce cocaine craving or relapse more than placebo; one-third of those taking CBD had diarrhea. In a review that combined studies, cocaine craving increased more with cannabis-derived substances than with placebo; however, in this 78-person study, the difference in craving was not statistically significant. In another study of 31 people with crack cocaine addiction, 10 days of CBD also gave no different result from placebo for craving and anxiety.
Can CBD be used together with methadone?
CBD can slow down how some medicines are broken down in the body, and an interaction case with methadone has been reported. If you take methadone, do not add CBD without talking to your doctor, and do not change your medicine on your own.
Can CBD oil be prescribed for addiction in Turkey?
In Turkey, cannabis-derived products are regulated by the Kenevirden Elde Edilen Ürünlere Dair Yönetmelik (Regulation on Products Derived from Hemp) dated January 31, 2026. These products, including CBD, can be sold only in pharmacies. Those in the medicine and health product category are dispensed with a prescription; the regulation does not state a prescription requirement for supplement products and cosmetics with a THC content of no more than 0.3%. As of October 2026, there is no approved (licensed) CBD medicine in Turkey. If you are thinking of using it, talk to your doctor first.
Does CBD help with quitting smoking?
There are only two small controlled studies on this. In a 24-person study of people who wanted to quit, those who used a CBD inhaler for one week whenever they felt the urge to smoke smoked fewer cigarettes compared with their own starting level, while the placebo group did not change; but a direct comparison of the two groups was not reported. In 30 people who went one night without smoking, a single dose of CBD did not change cigarette craving or withdrawal; it only reduced attention toward cigarette images. There is no completed CBD study that measured quitting smoking; as of October 2026, three studies are underway. For proven ways to quit (nicotine replacement therapy, medicines and counseling), you can talk to your doctor or a smoking cessation clinic.
Is CBD itself addictive?
Research shows that pure CBD has a low potential for addiction. In volunteers with drug experience, the liking score for 750 mg CBD was no different from placebo; at very high doses a small difference appeared, but it was very low compared with a sedative drug and synthetic THC (Schoedel 2018, PMID 30286443). In regular marijuana smokers, CBD itself was also like placebo and did not change the pleasurable effects of marijuana (Haney 2016; Babalonis 2017); in healthy volunteers, stopping the drug suddenly after 4 weeks of high-dose CBD did not cause withdrawal symptoms (Taylor 2020, PMID 32036242, a study by the drug's manufacturer). THC-containing products, however, can be addictive: in observational studies, about one in four medical cannabis users was found to have cannabis use disorder (Dawson 2024, PMID 38493566). You can check whether your product contains THC on its label and certificate of analysis (COA).
References
Show 42 references
- Freeman 2020. Phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive Bayesian RCT. PMID 32735782, doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30290-X, NCT02044809, PMID 36598543, cognition, PMID 37085531, blood anandamide)
- Hurd 2019. Double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory RCT. PMID 31109198, doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18101191, NCT02539823, correction: Am J Psychiatry 2020, 177(7):641, PMID 32605447, NCT01605539, 9 people analyzed, no statistical comparison, in the first session, the increase in cue-induced craving was 2.67 with placebo and 0.83 with CBD, similar in later sessions)
- Mongeau-Pérusse 2021. Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (single center). PMID 33464660, doi:10.1111/add.15417, NCT02559167, PMID 34331010, inflammatory markers), PMID 35135986, anxiety and cortisol, no different from placebo), PMID 35367279, cognition, no difference), PMID 38770686, anandamide, no difference)
- Mueller 2025. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT, 3 arms. PMID 40357520, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1516351, NCT04873453
- London 2025. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT. PMID 41467610, doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000001640, NCT03787628, 30 started, 17 completed)
- Kirkland 2025. Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT (single dose). PMID 40500407, doi:10.1038/s41386-025-02141-z, NCT05317546
- Zimmermann 2025 (ICONIC). Double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel RCT (single dose). PMID 39668256, doi:10.1038/s41380-024-02869-y, DRKS00029993, PMID 40879734, 800 mg CBD reduced amygdala response to negative emotional faces)
- Hurzeler 2025. Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT. PMID 39891614, doi:10.1111/acer.15514, NCT05387148, PMID 39252861, PMID 40551671, PMID 42678517, PMID 42873665
- Suzuki 2023. Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot RCT (single dose). PMID 37065899, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1155984, NCT04982029, PMID 36105269, NCT04192370
- Wilson 2026. Meta-analysis (54 RCTs; mental and substance use disorders). PMID 41856154, doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(26)00015-5, Correction: Lancet Psychiatry 2026, 13(8):e11, PMID 42302809, 2026, the axis of a figure and the study counts in the table were corrected, results unchanged)
- Bogenschutz 2026. Two double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs. PMID 41312717, doi:10.1111/acer.70212, NCT03252756, with PTSD), results in registry
- Spiga 2025 (Cochrane). Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis (37 RCTs). PMID 41025421, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008940.pub4, Network meta-analysis of the same drug trials (three of the authors are also authors of this review, PMID 41924869, evidence that medicines reduce cannabis use is very uncertain, abstinence with CBD OR 2.91, 95% credible interval 0.45–27.98, low certainty, contingency management and dialectical behavior or acceptance and commitment therapies reduced use, low certainty)
- Allsop 2014. Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (2 centers; inpatient detox). PMID 24430917, doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.3947, ANZCTR ACTRN12611000398909
- Lintzeris 2019. Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (4 centers; outpatient). PMID 31305874, doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.1993, ANZCTR ACTRN12616000103460, PMID 32768992, PMID 35316689, mood, sleep and pain improved similarly in both groups), PMID 36209081, PMID 29776349, correction: JAMA Intern Med 2023, 183(12):1414, PMID 37812434, content could not be read)
- Trigo 2018. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT. PMID 29385147, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0190768, NCT01747850, PMID 37692969, values within normal limits), PMID 27261670
- Levin 2011. Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT. PMID 21310551, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.010, NCT00217971, PMID 24067260
- Levin 2016. Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT. PMID 26711160, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.11.025, NCT01020019, PMID 34087745
- Hill 2017. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT. PMID 28921814, doi:10.1111/ajad.12622, NCT01347762
- Slagle 2026 (PP-01). Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT (phase 1b/2a; inpatient). PMID 42717263, doi:10.1111/ajad.70202, NCT05494437, finished in August 2023, no results), NCT07644052, ongoing)
- Haney 2008. Placebo-controlled, within-subject inpatient laboratory RCT (4 drug conditions, with outpatient washout periods in between). PMID 18161012, doi:10.1007/s00213-007-1020-8, NCT00373503, no results in the registry record). Two other studies from the same center (New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University) testing oral THC with the same laboratory method were not given separate rows, their results point the same way: Hart 2002 (12 people, maintenance on THC for 3 days at a time did not change the choice to smoke marijuana, PMID 12127201, on marijuana-free days, THC reduced withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sleep problems and marijuana craving, PMID 14560320
- Haney 2013. Placebo-controlled, within-subject lab study (inpatient; dose order counterbalanced). PMID 23443718, doi:10.1038/npp.2013.54, A study by the same center testing nabilone together with the sleep medicine zolpidem in the same laboratory relapse model was not given a separate row, its result points the same way: Herrmann 2016 (11 people, zolpidem + nabilone reduced withdrawal-related disruptions in mood, sleep and eating, and relapse to marijuana smoking, PMID 27085870
- Lundahl 2015. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover laboratory study (single dose; 3 sessions, dose order counterbalanced). PMID 25725933, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.046, NCT00218504, no results in the registry record)
- Trigo 2016. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject study (ABACADAE; the order of drug conditions across four 5-day cannabis-free periods was counterbalanced at random). PMID 26925704, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.020, NCT01748799, results in the registry record)
- Haney 2016 (CBD). Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject lab RCT (multicenter). PMID 26708108, doi:10.1038/npp.2015.367, NCT01844687, PMID 28088032
- Schlienz 2018. Placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover study (inpatient; order counterbalanced). PMID 29689485, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.02.022, NCT01394185, two other studies by teams that included the same researcher (Vandrey), measuring the effect of oral THC on withdrawal during cannabis-free periods with a dose comparison, were not given separate rows, their results point the same way (THC reduced withdrawal in a dose-dependent way): Budney 2007 (8 people, outpatient, PMID 16769180, inpatient, PMID 22921474
- Herrmann 2019. Placebo-controlled lab study: randomized parallel groups for varenicline, within-subject crossover for nabilone (inpatient). PMID 30378231, doi:10.1111/adb.12664, A study by the same center using the same method, with a different result (nabilone reduced relapse to smoking), is in a separate row: Haney 2013
- NCT03102918 (McLean Hospital, registry results). Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (phase 1; registry results, no peer-reviewed publication). NCT03102918, 2019)
- Ghosh 2025 (UK Medical Cannabis Registry). Uncontrolled patient registry analysis (no comparison group), 6-month follow-up. PMID 40738021, doi:10.1159/000547696
- Bisaga 2015. Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT. PMID 26187456, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.013, NCT01024335
- Lofwall 2016. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject lab RCT (5 weeks inpatient). PMID 27234658, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.002, PMID 26483357
- Costa 2026 (opioids and pain). Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover lab RCT (opioid maintenance model). PMID 42162267, doi:10.1038/s41386-026-02443-w, NCT04587791, PMID 41496743, NCT05076370, no marked sedation in the registry results)
- NCT06206291 (Mount Sinai, registry results). Quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (phase 2): CBD or placebo for the first 4 weeks, CBD for everyone for the next 4 weeks; registry results, no peer-reviewed publication. NCT06206291, 2026)
- Meneses-Gaya 2021. Double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory RCT (inpatient). PMID 33146345, doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1416
- Metrik 2026. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover RCT (lab). PMID 41254853, doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.20250115, NCT02983773
- Morgan 2013. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT. PMID 23685330, doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.03.011
- Hindocha 2018. Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover RCT (lab; first a fixed satiated session, then two overnight abstinence sessions). PMID 29714034, doi:10.1111/add.14243, Second publication of the same trial: Hindocha 2018b, PMID 29765102, impulsivity and memory)
- Gilman 2022. Pragmatic RCT (getting a medical cannabis card right away or after 12 weeks; 2:1; participants not blinded, only assessors blinded). PMID 35302633, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2106, NCT03224468, PMID 36960460, PMID 36638745, 181 people, frequency of cannabis use increased over 12 weeks in those who got the card, but not in those waiting, according to the authors, this increase raises the risk of cannabis use disorder)
- Zammit Dimech 2026. Systematic review, narrative synthesis without meta-analysis (weighted by design; 1975–2025). PMID 42466639, doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2026.12236, PROSPERO CRD420251151193
- Redonnet 2025. Umbrella review (22 systematic reviews, 5 with meta-analysis; AMSTAR 2). PMID 39947878, doi:10.1111/add.16745
- Costa 2024. Systematic review and meta-analysis (10 longitudinal observational studies). PMID 38225727, doi:10.1080/00952990.2023.2287406, PMID 33130527
- Costa 2026 (alcohol review). Systematic review and meta-analysis of animal and human studies (human studies narrative). PMID 41760917, doi:10.1038/s41380-026-03523-5
- Costa 2026 (tobacco review). Systematic review and meta-analysis of animal, observational and experimental human studies (through January 2026). PMID 42863773, doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.107032, PMID 41728311, PROSPERO CRD420250652724
Points that could not be verified from the full text
- The full texts of London 2025 and Hurzeler 2025 could not be read; the product used in London 2025 was taken from the ClinicalTrials.gov record (cannabis-derived CBD softgel capsule; THC content not stated), and the product in Hurzeler 2025 from the protocol publication (200 mg CBD softgel capsule; purity not stated); the side effects of Hurzeler 2025 are not in the abstract
- Corrections that could not be read (October 28, 2026): the correction published for Hurd 2019 (Am J Psychiatry 2020;177(7):641; the journal page required bot verification, which could not be passed) and the correction published for errors in the supplementary file of Lintzeris 2019 (JAMA Intern Med 2023;183(12):1414) could not be read. The correction published for Wilson 2026 (Lancet Psychiatry 2026;13(8):e11) was read on October 29, 2026: only the axis of one figure and the study counts in a table were corrected; the numbers in the row (54 RCTs, 2,477 participants, side effect OR 1.75, NNTH 7) did not change
- Of those added in the October 2026 search, read only from the abstract: Allsop 2014, Lintzeris 2019 (the publisher does not allow full-text download; the PMC page and the journal site required bot verification, which could not be passed), Haney 2013, Haney 2016 (the full text of the second publication of the same trial, Babalonis 2017, was read), Morgan 2013 (the dose and product of the CBD inhaler are not in the abstract), Costa 2024 and the Costa 2026 tobacco review. The conflict-of-interest statements of Allsop 2014, Haney 2013, Haney 2016, Morgan 2013 and Costa 2024 could not be read (those of Lintzeris 2019 and the Costa 2026 tobacco review were read from the PubMed record); the other new rows were checked against the full text or the ClinicalTrials.gov record
- Studies with unpublished results or results only in a registry (ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed, October 28, 2026): NCT06206291 (76 people) and NCT03102918 (10 people) are in the table with registry results only; they have no peer-reviewed publications. The registry-only results of the same team's 10-person pilot study in heroin use (NCT01605539) include no statistical comparison; no separate row was made, and it is mentioned in the Hurd 2019 row. NCT01598896, which was terminated early (dronabinol + clonidine in schizophrenia and cannabis addiction; 7 people, no conclusion can be drawn from the registry results), was not included in the table. Completed but without results: NCT05494437 (nabilone + gabapentin combination, 234 people, finished in August 2023), NCT04567784 (brain imaging with CBD in people on methadone, 66 people, finished in June 2025); status unknown: NCT04205682 (CBD in alcohol withdrawal, 52 people), NCT06159387 (low-THC CBD extract in cocaine and crack addiction, 60 people). Ongoing studies: for cannabis, a 250-person CBD study in Australia, and in the US NCT06107062, NCT06569394, NCT06575751 and a 420-person phase 3 study of the nabilone + gabapentin combination (NCT07644052); NCT04105231, comparing CBD with risperidone in psychosis and cannabis use; for alcohol, NCT05613608, NCT05860699 (210 people), NCT07279558, NCT06845124 (CBD + naltrexone, 150 people); for opioids, NCT06940674 (450 people), NCT06544291; for smoking, NCT06218056 (120 people), NCT05445804 (50 people), NCT07001930 (90 people)
Trusted sources from around the world
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- World Health Organization: CBD critical review reportWorld Health Organization (WHO), 2018, English, 2018
The expert committee's assessment of CBD's safety and risk of dependence (PDF).
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Research history
Here we record what changed on this page, when and why, with dates. The newest change is at the top.
The last sentence of the page's short summary was rewritten in a calmer, more guiding tone: instead of "Talk to your doctor before you start.", it now says whom you can talk with, and about what, if you are considering CBD. The conclusion and the strength of evidence did not change.
Four studies were added to the table. From the UK medical cannabis patient registry, 6-month data on 34 people prescribed a cannabis product for substance use disorder (most often opioid use disorder): anxiety, sleep and quality of life scores improved, and the amount of prescribed opioids was lower at month 6; because there was no comparison group, these changes cannot be said to come from cannabis. Three small controlled studies with THC-containing medicines in cannabis dependence: in a laboratory study lasting a few days, oral THC reduced some withdrawal symptoms but did not reduce relapse to marijuana smoking (8 people); a single dose of THC reduced craving triggered by marijuana cues (14 people); a high dose of a mouth spray containing THC and CBD reduced withdrawal on cannabis-free days and did not change craving (9 people). The rule for laboratory studies is this: studies done by the same research group with the same method are given in a single row, and the other publications are mentioned in that row's source information; studies whose results do not agree stay in separate rows. The conclusion and the strength of evidence did not change.
Related studies: Haney 2008, published March 2008 (PMID 18161012, doi:10.1007/s00213-007-1020-8, NCT00373503, no results in the registry record). Two other studies from the same center (New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University) testing oral THC with the same laboratory method were not given separate rows, their results point the same way: Hart 2002 (12 people, maintenance on THC for 3 days at a time did not change the choice to smoke marijuana, PMID 12127201, on marijuana-free days, THC reduced withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sleep problems and marijuana craving, PMID 14560320); Lundahl 2015, published April 1, 2015 (PMID 25725933, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.046, NCT00218504, no results in the registry record)); Trigo 2016, published April 1, 2016 (PMID 26925704, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.020, NCT01748799, results in the registry record)); Ghosh 2025 (UK Medical Cannabis Registry), published 2025 (PMID 40738021, doi:10.1159/000547696)
The correction to the Wilson 2026 meta-analysis published in the journal was read: only the axis of one figure and the study counts in a table were corrected; the results on this page did not change.
Related studies: Wilson 2026, published April 2026 (PMID 41856154, doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(26)00015-5, Correction: Lancet Psychiatry 2026, 13(8):e11, PMID 42302809, 2026, the axis of a figure and the study counts in the table were corrected, results unchanged))
Older changes (9)
On October 28, 2026, sources found for this page during the searches for other topics were processed. In the medical cannabis card study (Gilman 2022), the number of people was corrected: 269 people were randomly assigned to groups and 186 were analyzed; the daily survey analysis of the same trial (Tervo-Clemmens 2023) was added. The evidence description for CBD in cannabis addiction was lowered from 'weak–moderate' to 'weak,' so that it now matches the evidence label on the page (weak). Three small studies testing non-cannabinoid ADHD medicines for cannabis addiction in people who also have ADHD, and a caution note that blood pressure can rise in some people when cannabis is stopped suddenly, were added. A finding on cannabis use and quitting smoking in cancer patients was not added because its numbers could not be verified from the primary source. The conclusion and the evidence label did not change.
PubMed, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched again in October 2026, separately for each substance (3,814 records in PubMed and 985 on ClinicalTrials.gov; an independent audit search was also done). The scope was broadened, adding a tobacco (smoking) section and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (harm information) to the page; tobacco was added to the title. 26 rows added: in cannabis addiction, 6 clinical studies and 4 short lab or inpatient studies with THC-containing or THC-like medicines (a mouth spray containing THC and CBD, synthetic THC, nabilone), 1 lab study with CBD alone and 1 small CBD study with results only in a registry; for opioids, 2 studies with CBD (one with results only in a registry) and 2 with synthetic THC; for crack cocaine, 1 CBD study; for alcohol, 1 lab study with THC-containing marijuana; for smoking, 2 small controlled studies with CBD; 1 controlled study measuring the risk of cannabis use disorder with THC-containing cannabis products; 5 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Small lab studies repeating the same method, uncontrolled studies and reviews repeating the same question were not added to the table individually; studies on CBD's own addiction potential were cited with their sources in the text. Corrected: the statement that use was never measured in the opioid studies was updated in light of the 76-person study with results only in a registry; product information for two studies was added from the registry and protocol; registry numbers, secondary publications, correction notices and one company tie were added to existing rows; it was noted that in one alcohol study a drinking measure listed in the registry was not published; the conclusion and strength-of-evidence text for THC-containing products was rewritten to match the table; the search numbers were added to the evidence summary. The conclusion and the strength of evidence did not change.
Related studies: Allsop 2014, published March 2014 (PMID 24430917, doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.3947, ANZCTR ACTRN12611000398909); Lintzeris 2019, published September 1, 2019 (PMID 31305874, doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.1993, ANZCTR ACTRN12616000103460, PMID 32768992, PMID 35316689, mood, sleep and pain improved similarly in both groups), PMID 36209081, PMID 29776349, correction: JAMA Intern Med 2023, 183(12):1414, PMID 37812434, content could not be read)); Trigo 2018, published January 31, 2018 (PMID 29385147, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0190768, NCT01747850, PMID 37692969, values within normal limits), PMID 27261670); Levin 2011, published July 1, 2011 (PMID 21310551, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.010, NCT00217971, PMID 24067260); Levin 2016, published February 1, 2016 (PMID 26711160, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.11.025, NCT01020019, PMID 34087745); Hill 2017, published December 2017 (PMID 28921814, doi:10.1111/ajad.12622, NCT01347762); Slagle 2026 (PP-01), published November 2026 (online September 9, 2026) (PMID 42717263, doi:10.1111/ajad.70202, NCT05494437, finished in August 2023, no results), NCT07644052, ongoing)); Haney 2013, published July 2013 (PMID 23443718, doi:10.1038/npp.2013.54, A study by the same center testing nabilone together with the sleep medicine zolpidem in the same laboratory relapse model was not given a separate row, its result points the same way: Herrmann 2016 (11 people, zolpidem + nabilone reduced withdrawal-related disruptions in mood, sleep and eating, and relapse to marijuana smoking, PMID 27085870); Haney 2016 (CBD), published July 2016 (PMID 26708108, doi:10.1038/npp.2015.367, NCT01844687, PMID 28088032); Schlienz 2018, published June 1, 2018 (PMID 29689485, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.02.022, NCT01394185, two other studies by teams that included the same researcher (Vandrey), measuring the effect of oral THC on withdrawal during cannabis-free periods with a dose comparison, were not given separate rows, their results point the same way (THC reduced withdrawal in a dose-dependent way): Budney 2007 (8 people, outpatient, PMID 16769180, inpatient, PMID 22921474); Herrmann 2019, published July 2019 (PMID 30378231, doi:10.1111/adb.12664, A study by the same center using the same method, with a different result (nabilone reduced relapse to smoking), is in a separate row: Haney 2013); NCT03102918 (McLean Hospital, registry results), published January 25, 2019 (registry results) (NCT03102918, 2019)); Bisaga 2015, published September 1, 2015 (PMID 26187456, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.05.013, NCT01024335); Lofwall 2016, published July 1, 2016 (PMID 27234658, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.002, PMID 26483357); Costa 2026 (opioids and pain), published October 2026 (online May 20, 2026) (PMID 42162267, doi:10.1038/s41386-026-02443-w, NCT04587791, PMID 41496743, NCT05076370, no marked sedation in the registry results)); NCT06206291 (Mount Sinai, registry results), published June 18, 2026 (registry results) (NCT06206291, 2026)); Meneses-Gaya 2021, published 2021 (PMID 33146345, doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1416); Metrik 2026, published February 1, 2026 (PMID 41254853, doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.20250115, NCT02983773); Morgan 2013, published September 2013 (PMID 23685330, doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.03.011); Hindocha 2018, published September 2018 (PMID 29714034, doi:10.1111/add.14243, Second publication of the same trial: Hindocha 2018b, PMID 29765102, impulsivity and memory)); Gilman 2022, published March 1, 2022 (PMID 35302633, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2106, NCT03224468, PMID 36960460, PMID 36638745, 181 people, frequency of cannabis use increased over 12 weeks in those who got the card, but not in those waiting, according to the authors, this increase raises the risk of cannabis use disorder)); Zammit Dimech 2026, published July 17, 2026 (PMID 42466639, doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2026.12236, PROSPERO CRD420251151193); Redonnet 2025, published May 2025 (PMID 39947878, doi:10.1111/add.16745); Costa 2024, published January 2, 2024 (PMID 38225727, doi:10.1080/00952990.2023.2287406, PMID 33130527); Costa 2026 (alcohol review), published July 2026 (online February 27, 2026) (PMID 41760917, doi:10.1038/s41380-026-03523-5); Costa 2026 (tobacco review), published October 12, 2026 (PMID 42863773, doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.107032, PMID 41728311, PROSPERO CRD420250652724)
Display fix: internal working notes left over from the previous cleanup were removed; content and evidence did not change.
Display fix: internal working file names left in the text were removed; content and evidence did not change.
The Cochrane review (2025) of medicines for cannabis use disorder was added: the quit rate at the end of treatment with THC-containing medicines is no different from placebo. The wording on cocaine craving was refined; it was noted that use and relapse were not measured in the opioid studies. The conclusion and the strength of evidence did not change.
A new publication from the team behind the Hurzeler 2025 trial (McGuire 2026; risk-taking and autonomic nervous system response) was not counted as a separate study because it is very likely based on the same participants; it was added as a note to that study's row. The conclusion and the strength of evidence did not change.
Related studies: Hurzeler 2025, published February 2025 (PMID 39891614, doi:10.1111/acer.15514, NCT05387148, PMID 39252861, PMID 40551671, PMID 42678517, PMID 42873665)
PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for newly published and previously missed clinical studies. 7 studies added: Mongeau-Pérusse 2021, Mueller 2025, London 2025, Kirkland 2025, Zimmermann 2025 (ICONIC), Hurzeler 2025 and Suzuki 2023. The page title was broadened to match the substances it covers: cannabis, alcohol, opioids and cocaine. The conclusion and the strength of evidence did not change.
Related studies: Mongeau-Pérusse 2021, published September 2021 (PMID 33464660, doi:10.1111/add.15417, NCT02559167, PMID 34331010, inflammatory markers), PMID 35135986, anxiety and cortisol, no different from placebo), PMID 35367279, cognition, no difference), PMID 38770686, anandamide, no difference)); Mueller 2025, published April 28, 2025 (PMID 40357520, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1516351, NCT04873453); London 2025, published December 30, 2025 (PMID 41467610, doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000001640, NCT03787628, 30 started, 17 completed)); Kirkland 2025, published September 2025 (PMID 40500407, doi:10.1038/s41386-025-02141-z, NCT05317546); Zimmermann 2025 (ICONIC), published June 2025 (PMID 39668256, doi:10.1038/s41380-024-02869-y, DRKS00029993, PMID 40879734, 800 mg CBD reduced amygdala response to negative emotional faces)); Hurzeler 2025, published February 2025 (PMID 39891614, doi:10.1111/acer.15514, NCT05387148, PMID 39252861, PMID 40551671, PMID 42678517, PMID 42873665); Suzuki 2023, published 2023 (PMID 37065899, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1155984, NCT04982029, PMID 36105269, NCT04192370)
The full texts of the studies were reread and the information on the page was checked against its sources. Corrected: participant numbers, side effects, product and registry number details in the study table. No points remain that could not be verified from the full text (previously 1 item). The year of a publication named on the page was corrected to the journal's print year instead of the online publication year. The conclusion and the strength of evidence did not change.
Page published. In this first review, 4 studies were examined.