Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission when you purchase products featured in this best CBD for anxiety content or purchase from vendors featured here. Our professional curators independently research and recommend products and services, with no newsroom involvement.
Although it can feel isolating and overwhelming, anxiety is pretty common. In fact, as much as 31 percent of the U.S. population has experienced an anxiety disorder at some point. That’s about one in three people, so you’re not alone if you have anxiety.
There are a variety of prescription medications out there, but if you prefer something more natural or you just want something to take occasionally, you might want to try CBD for anxiety.
We gave you a head start on finding the best CBD for anxiety with our list below. You’ll find gummies and tinctures in all kinds of flavors, like tangerine, mint, and even pumpkin spice. All of our selections are highly rated by customers and made with natural ingredients. Just make sure to speak to your doctor before trying.
Best CBD for Anxiety
- Best Overall CBD Gummies for Anxiety: Feals Tranquil Tangerine Gummies
- Best Certified Organic CBD for Anxiety: Jupiter Oasis Organic CBD Calm Drops
- Best CBD Tincture for Anxiety: Kiara CBD Sleep and Relax Tincture Bundle
- Best CBD Tincture Variety for Anxiety: FOCL Premium CBD Drops
- Best Potent CBD Gummies for Anxiety: CBDistillery ommm+ distilled THC & CBD Gummies
How Does CBD Help with Anxiety?
CBD has a calming effect and can help you feel relaxed when you take it. One possible reason for that, according to research, is that cannabidiol interacts with one type of serotonin receptor, aka a chemical that helps regulate mood. So CBD might have some kind of effect on serotonin levels in your brain to help you feel less anxious.
Best CBD for Anxiety in 2023
Best Overall CBD Gummies for Anxiety: Feals Tranquil Tangerine Gummies
Feals microdosed gummies come in a bright and citrusy tangerine flavor that will make taking CBD feel like a treat.
“I love how you can dose what you need. It helps my anxiety a lot. At night, I take them, and I’m just chilling all the time. They taste good, too. I feel really rested, and the blend helps to not feel paranoid or have bad side effects.” – Kimberley P.
All Feals products are made in the U.S.A. with non-GMO, natural ingredients that are vegan-friendly. The Gummies combine CBD and THC to provide a mild high, which calms anxiety instead of triggering it, unlike some other edibles. As an added bonus, they’re affordable.
Pros:
- Better tasting than other gummies.
- Powerful effects
- Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free
Specs:
- Size: 30 gummies
- Serving size: 1 gummy
- Strength: 20 mg CBD, 1.5mg THC
- Flavor: Tranquil Tangerine
- Ingredients: THC, CBD, Water, Corn syrup, Pectin, Natural flavors, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Fruit and vegetable juice, Coconut oil, Sucralose, Carnauba wax
Best Certified Organic CBD for Anxiety: Jupiter Oasis Organic CBD Calm Drops
Oasis Organic CBD Calm Drops are made with only eight organic ingredients from single-origin farms, which means they’re traceable to ensure that they’re pure and high quality. The brand even triple-tests the CBD for potency and consistency—they test the raw flower, flower extract, and the final product. The mint drops don’t contain any chemicals, preservatives, artificial flavors, or fillers.
Pros:
- USDA-certified organic
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Made with only eight all-natural ingredients
Specs:
- CBD Type: Full-spectrum CBD
- Size: 1 fl.oz., 30 mL
- Serving size: 1 dropper (1 mL)
- Strength: 1,200 mg CBD
- Flavor: Fresh mint
- Ingredients: Organic hemp extract, Organic coconut oil MCT, Organic peppermint oil, Organic hemp terpenes, Organic lemon balm, Organic lion’s tail, Organic linden, Organic tulsi
What customers say: The Oasis CBD drops have over 100 five-star ratings from shoppers. One person said that their anxiety is gone, and they feel calm, focused, and happy after taking the drops. Another reviewer said they’re a “lifesaver” when their anxiety overwhelms them.
Best CBD Tincture for Anxiety: Kiara CBD Sleep and Relax Tincture Bundle
This CBD oil for anxiety is formulated with an alcohol base to help it absorb quickly into your body for fast effects. In addition to CBD, it contains sedative and stress-relieving ingredients, including valerian and California poppy. Plus, the bundle comes with three bottles of tincture that will last for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about running out.
Pros:
- Highly concentrated
- Organic
- Fast-absorbing alcohol base
Specs:
- CBD Type: Full-spectrum CBD
- Size: 100 mL per bottle
- Serving size: 1 to 3 droppers
- Strength: 1,000 mg CBD
- Flavor: None
- Ingredients: Water, Alcohol, CBD Isolate, Vegetable Glycerin, Valeriana Officinalis, Eschscholzia californica, Humulus Lupulus, Ziziphus Jujuba
What customers say: If your anxiety keeps you up at night, you should definitely try this tincture—shoppers say that it helps them relax before bed and sleep “through the night like a baby.”
Best CBD Tincture Variety for Anxiety: FOCL Premium CBD Drops
With five FOCL Premium CBD Drops flavors, you’re guaranteed to find one you like. There’s even a Pumpkin Spice option that’s perfect for fall. And you can choose either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum drops. They’re made with organic and non-GMO ingredients, and are vegan and cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Available in full- or broad-spectrum CBD
- Variety of flavors to choose from
- Organic
Specs:
- CBD Type: Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oil tincture
- Size: 1 fl.oz., 30 mL
- Serving size: 1 to 2 droppers
- Strength: 1,000 mg CBD, 3,000 mg CBD
- Flavor: Citrus, Mint, Natural, Orange Cream, Pumpkin Spice
- Ingredients: Natural flavoring, Full- or broad-spectrum CBD, Organic MCT oil
What customers say: Shoppers love the taste of these CBD drops, and one person even commented that they add them to a mocktail at night. Another shopper said they feel “at ease” without being too sleepy when using the drops.
Best Potent CBD Gummies for Anxiety: CBDistillery ommm+ distilled THC & CBD Gummies
Taking these sugar-coated berry gummies will feel just like eating dessert. They contain clean, vegan ingredients and full-spectrum CBD that’s grown in the U.S.A. The convenient gummy format makes it easy to know how much you’re taking and comes in handy for traveling.
Pros:
- Made with 100 percent clean ingredients
- Vegan
- Made with U.S.-grown hemp
Specs:
- CBD Type: Full-spectrum CBD
- Size: 30 gummies
- Serving size: 1 gummy
- Strength: 25 mg CBD, 5 mg THC
- Flavor: Berry
- Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Pectin (Pectin, Sucrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract (Aerial Parts), Organic Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Vegetable Juice for color, Natural Terpenes
What customers say: Reviewers call the CBDistillery ommm+ distilled THC & CBD Gummies effective, calming, and relaxing. People use the gummies to help them sleep and unwind.
How We Picked the Best CBD for Anxiety
Reviews
When buying CBD products, one thing you’ll want to look at is reviews. Shoppers will give you their real opinion on whether or not the product works how the company says it does. We read through reviews for each CBD included on our list to check that customers like using them.
Testing
Since CBD is not currently regulated by the FDA, companies could technically put whatever they want in their products. That’s why third party lab testing is super important. Our product picks are all tested by laboratories, and the certificate of analysis (COA) reports are available for you to read.
Quality Ingredients
We chose products that are made with high-quality CBD and organic, non-GMO, and natural ingredients. They’re free from fillers and potentially harmful substances like chemicals and preservatives.
What to Look For When Buying CBD
Potency
CBD newbies should start with lower potency and lower doses of CBD so they can get used to it. Once you know how it affects you, you can look for more potent products. If you have severe anxiety, you also might want to try higher-potency CBD—but always consult with a doctor prior to starting.
What it helps
Since CBD has a variety of possible benefits, there are several different types of CBD products. Some are geared toward pain relief, while others are intended for sleep or anxiety.
Form
CBD comes in everything from vapes to creams, so be sure to look for a form that you prefer and think will be easy for you to use. CBD gummies can be a good option if you want a set dose each time you take it. Oils and tinctures are more customizable since you can adjust the amount of CBD in the dropper. For pain or muscle aches, you can try a topical CBD cream.
Flavor
CBD has a grassy or earthy taste similar to weed that not everyone is a fan of, but lots of CBD products come flavored, so you can hardly taste it. Gummies are typically flavored, and some tinctures are, too.
Price
Like many supplements, CBD can be expensive at times, so check the price before buying and look for affordable options if you’re on a budget.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a substance in the marijuana plant, like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the part that gets you high. CBD isn’t psychoactive for most peple, so it doesn’t cause those overt high feelings, but taking it does produce similar relaxing effects to those you would get from smoking weed. Since it calms you down without getting you overly high, it’s a great everyday way to unwind.
Benefits of CBD
CBD users and scientific studies have found that CBD has a lot of potential benefits, like stress relief, improved sleep, fewer anxious feelings, pain relief, and reduced inflammation. It’s even used to treat some forms of epilepsy. An anti-seizure drug that contains CBD, Epidiolex, was approved by the FDA in 2018.
Types of CBD
CBD products are made with three different types of cannabidiol: Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate.
- Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all other cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant in addition to CBD, including up to 0.3% of THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD oil also contains other cannabis plant compounds, but it’s typically free from THC.
- CBD isolate is just what it sounds like—purely CBD with no other substances.
Forms of CBD
You can take CBD in almost any form you can think of, including:
- Gummies
- Edibles
- Oils
- Tinctures
- Topicals (like lotion)
- Capsules
- Vapes
Side Effects of CBD
While CBD may have a lot of benefits, it does have some side effects, just like any medication or supplement. Luckily, the side effects aren’t that serious. Some to watch out for are:
- Nausea
- Changes in appetite
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Is CBD legal?
CBD that’s derived from hemp and has less than 0.3% THC is legal at the federal level thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.
Can CBD alone help with anxiety?
Everyone is different, and everyone’s anxiety is different, so some people might find that CBD relieves their symptoms more than others. If you don’t think CBD is working for you, you could try a stronger dose, or you may need to combine CBD with other stress-relieving medicines or supplements. But again, you always have to discuss with your doctor first.
Will CBD make me high?
You should not have to be concerned about getting high when taking CBD because it has little to no THC. However, everyone is different.
Can anyone take CBD?
CBD is pretty well tolerated, but you do have to be careful if you’re taking prescription medicines. Cannabidiol can interact with certain drugs, which can cause them to not work how they’re intended to. Pregnant or nursing women should also avoid CBD because there isn’t much research on how it could affect babies.
If you’re interested in trying something to reduce your anxiety symptoms, CBD might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a great natural supplement that may help you feel calmer and more relaxed. Any of the products on our list of the best CBD for anxiety would be a fantastic place for you to start. As long as you get the green light from your doctor, you’ll be ready to try.
Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission when you purchase products featured in this content or purchase from vendors featured here. Our professional curators independently research and recommend products and services, with no newsroom involvement. Always speak to a doctor before beginning new supplements.