Studies1–2 have shown that CBD can act as a natural aid to improve anxiety and depression.
Today you’re getting a list of the best CBD oils for anxiety and depression that you can currently buy.
We reviewed over 50 samples by testing them on metrics like potency, effects, and taste.
Keep reading!
Top 5 CBD Oils for Anxiety and Depression
Quickly go to…
1. Receptra Naturals Serious Relax (Best Overall)
Here’s why:
When you look at the cannabinoid- and terpene-profiles of a Receptra Naturals hemp-extracts, you’ll see that:
- It contains a wider variety of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes than most other oils, and;
- It contains these cannabinoids and terpenes in higher concentrations than other CBD oils.
When we’re talking about ‘full-spectrum’ CBD products, Receptra Naturals products are as full-spectrum as it gets.
While the cannabinoid-profile of other high-quality full-spectrum oils is similar to Receptra’s …
The terpene-profile is where this oil excels compared to others. With a terpene-content of 0.6% and a wider variety of terpenes than almost any other CBD oil, this oil ranks highest when we look at the most important characteristic that a good CBD oil for anxiety should have:
- It should contain a full spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes or as many as possible.
Now:
When we look at the second-most important characteristic a good CBD oil for anxiety should have:
- It should contain one, or additional anti-anxiety/depressant compounds
Again, this tincture excels.
Receptra Naturals Serious Relax contains different non-hemp-derived, but natural anti-anxiety/depressant compounds like:
- Lavender;
- Passionflower;
- Limonene;
- Lime, and;
- Ginger.
All of these compounds have been associated with anti-anxiety or anti-depressant effects 8–11.
Combine these compounds with the full spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids, terpenes, and above-average concentrations of CBD, and you get a powerful product that makes the best case for reducing feelings of anxiety.
- Receptra Naturals 15% off coupon code: Herbonaut
Next up …
2. R+R Medicinals Tincture (Best Value)
That being said, any CBD oil that contains a high concentration of CBD, plus many other hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes is all you really need to experience the benefits of CBD for anxiety.
R+R Medicinals provides exactly this type of tincture, and here comes the best part:
It does so at a much lower price point than any other CBD brand I’ve come across.
This is the most affordable option on the list. Not only that, but R+R Medicinals is the most affordable option that can still be qualified as:
- Premium quality, and;
- Truly full-spectrum.
When it comes to CBD oils for anxiety you get the most bang for your buck in terms of CBD with R+R Medicinals Tincture.
With a price of $1.15 per average dose of 25 mg. of CBD, you won’t be able to find better value for your money.
With their strongest tincture that contains 2500mg of CBD, you get a whopping CBD-percentage of 9.3%.
Looking at the amount of CBD you get in a single drop, this is also the second strongest CBD oil on the list.
What’s the bottom line?
If you’re looking for the most affordable option while having a very good chance of relieving feelings of anxiety, definitely give R+R Medicinals a try:
Next up …
3. NanoCraft CBD Gold Series (Best THC-Free)
If for whatever reason you don’t want to ingest ANY THC inside your body, you can’t take any full-spectrum CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD products always contain some THC.
Here are some reasons why you might want to avoid THC:
- You are regularly subjected to drug-tests. Drug-tests always screen for THC.
- You have a sensitivity towards THC. Even though THC-levels in full-spectrum CBD products are very low, if you have a sensitivity towards THC, it’s best that you avoid these products, especially when it comes to anxiety. Taking high doses of THC has been associated with increased anxiety.
- You don’t believe THC has any beneficial effects for you. Even though studies indicate that CBD could be more effective when taken with other hemp-derived compounds including THC, there are no clinical studies that show this is the case when it comes to anxiety.
These are just some of the reasons that we thought of, it could be that you have an even different reason as to why you want to avoid THC inside your CBD product.
Whatever the reason, NanoCraft CBD Gold Series is currently our highest-rated THC-free CBD oil for anxiety.
Even though this oil doesn’t contain the full spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes …
It contains more hemp-derived cannabinoids than just CBD, plus it contains some hemp-derived terpenes.
And when we look at the strength of their strongest oil, we can see it’s a highly potent oil that contains 3000mg of CBD and comes with a CBD-percentage of 9.7%.
If you’re looking for a THC-free CBD oil for anxiety, this is the one you should get:
Next up …
4. NuLeaf Naturals (Best Customer-Rated)
Full-spectrum CBD oils that come from highly transparent CBD manufacturers dominate our lists of best CBD oils.
And when we’re talking about these types of oils, NuLeaf Naturals full-spectrum CBD oil is one that can’t ever be ignored.
Here’s why:
When we look at customer reviews, this is the highest-rated CBD oil that we have ever come across.
In 6 years and 20.000+ reviews, NuLeaf Naturals CBD oil has gotten an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
When you look at NuLeaf Naturals’ third-party lab-test reports, you can see why.
This CBD oil contains high concentrations of CBD, with their strongest bottle containing 4850 mg of CBD and a CBD-percentage of 5.93% …
Plus, it contains many other cannabinoids like THC, CBC, and CBG, and also hemp-derived terpenes like beta-caryophyllene and alpha-humulene. In addition to CBD, some of these compounds are associated with anti-anxiety/anti-depressant effects as well.
So while NuLeaf Naturals CBD oil doesn’t contain any non-hemp-derived anti-anxiety/anti-depressant compounds, it contains the full spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes that are associated with anti-anxiety/anti-depressant effects.
Add to this that this oil is made from organic hemp and doesn’t contain ANY additives (it’s the purest hemp-extract on the list), and you’ll quickly understand why we rate it so high.
- NuLeaf Naturals 20% off coupon code: herbonaut
Up next …
5. Charlotte’s Web Original Formula (Best Seed-to-Shelf)
Transparency.
The transparency of a CBD oil manufacturer is extremely important.
We want to know exactly how they produce their oil because when it comes to CBD oil and manufacturing processes, there are some very real contamination risks, starting with planting a hemp seed inside soil.
If this soil is contaminated with heavy metals, for example, the hemp plant will absorb these heavy metals and during the extraction process, these heavy metal particles might end up inside your oil.
Now:
Even though all CBD oils on this list prove they’re completely free of contaminants …
If you want an extra layer of assurance, Charlotte’s Web is a producer that literally controls the whole manufacturing process from planting the seed to shelving the final product.
During its manufacturing-cycle, a bottle of Charlotte's Web CBD oil is subject to 20 different quality control tests.
Of course, this wouldn’t be enough to be listed on a list of highly-rated CBD oils for anxiety relief …
Charlotte’s Web CBD oil is a true full-spectrum CBD oil that contains a wide variety of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes in high concentrations.
Their ‘Original Formula’ is better in that regard as it’s ethanol-extracted. Ethanol-extraction is one of the most effective extraction methods for extracting especially terpenes from hemp.
- Charlotte's Web 15% off coupon code: HERBONAUT
How We Rate CBD Tinctures for Anxiety and Depression
In a largely unregulated market like the CBD-market, transparency is of the highest importance.
CBD brands are only eligible for this list if they provide third-party lab-test reports that show results of:
- Contamination-tests (pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxins)
- Cannabinoid-profiles.
Based on scientific literature5–7, we have every reason to believe that ‘full-spectrum’ products, that contain a wide variety of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes, have a better chance of improving your anxiety and depression than products that ‘only' contain CBD.
Besides hemp-derived compounds, a CBD oil for anxiety or depression can contain other anxiety-improving compounds like lavender or passionflower.
Combining CBD with other anti-anxiety/depressant compounds that don’t come from the hemp plant but are beneficial nonetheless, could be more effective than taking a CBD oil that ‘only’ contains hemp-derived compounds. Nature has provided us with many anti-anxiety/depressant compounds, after all.
Studies also have indicated that CBD’s anti-anxiety effect occurs mostly when taken in a relatively high dose. Therefore, if you’re looking to use CBD oil specifically for anxiety relief, you want an oil that contains above-average concentrations of CBD.
Summarized, here’s what we’re looking for when we’re looking for a good CBD oil for anxiety:
- It should contain a full spectrum of hemp-derived cannabinoids and terpenes or as many as possible, and/or;
- It should contain one, or more non-hemp-derived anti-anxiety/depressant compounds, and;
- It should contain above-average concentrations of CBD (we maintain above 5%).
Now you understand what makes one CBD oil better for anxiety or depression than others, let’s get to the list.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using CBD Oil for Anxiety
How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety/Depression?
Drops of CBD tinctures should always be used sublingually before they're swallowed. The sublingual method consists of putting drops under your tongue for 60 seconds.
With the sublingual method, you partially prevent the ‘first-pass effect’.
The first-pass effect refers to the metabolization of drugs and other substances in the gastrointestinal tract and liver before they reach the bloodstream. The liver especially has enzymes that are highly effective in breaking down CBD.
When you take CBD oil sublingually a part of the CBD will be directly absorbed into your bloodstream through the mucous membranes beneath your tongue.
Learn more about using CBD oil for anxiety by clicking the link below:
- How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety: A review of studies that (among other things) looked at the effects of CBD in humans and animals.
When to Take CBD Oil for Anxiety/Depression?
In my experience, taking CBD oil in the morning, after breakfast, works best for promoting feelings of calmness and relief.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?
Since CBD oil is not a medicine in the traditional sense, there are no official dosage guidelines.
Generally, we recommend starting with low doses and work your way up gradually. Start with the recommended dose from the manufacturer for a single serving.
Studies that looked at the effects of CBD on anxiety found results with relatively large doses of 300-600mg of CBD. Keep in mind these were purified CBD products and you might need a much smaller dose if you use a high-quality full-spectrum oil like the ones on our list.
When Can I Expect Results?
CBD oil is not a medicine and it's not certain whether it will provide you with any relief for your anxiety or depression.
What Are The Side Effects?
Taking CBD oil is not without risks. The biggest risks related to using CBD products are related to their potential interactions with traditional prescription medication.
CBD can interfere with the metabolization of various prescription drugs. If you're on prescription drugs and want to use CBD products for anxiety, please consult with your doctor first.
Other important risks related to taking CBD products are related to quality control. Products can be contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides, which if ingested over long periods of time, may worsen your anxiety symptoms.
If you want to learn more about preventing potential health risks related to CBD-use, click the link below:
Learn More More About CBD
How to Use CBD Oil for Anxiety: A review of studies that looked at CBD's mechanism of action in relation to its anxiety-reducing effects and experimental studies that looked at the effects of CBD on anxiety in humans.
The Best CBD Oils: A list of our most recommended CBD oil brands, includes full-spectrum CBD oils, broad-spectrum CBD oils, and CBD isolates. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they're contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.
The Best CBD Gummies: A list of our recommended CBD gummies. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they're contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.
The Best CBD Vape Oils: A list of our recommended CBD vape oils. All are 3th-party lab-tested to confirm they're contaminant-free and contain high levels of CBD.
The Benefits of CBD Oil: A review of over 100 studies that found potential health benefits associated with CBD.
CBD Oil and Pain: A review of studies that looked at CBD's mechanism of action in relation to its pain-reducing effects and experimental/case studies that looked at the effects of CBD on pain in humans.
CBD and Terpenes: An exploration of the relationship between CBD and terpenes and why there's a strong theoretical foundation of combining both.
CBD Isolate vs Full-Spectrum: A deep-dive into the different types of CBD products: CBD isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum, and their pros and cons for you as a CBD products consumer.
References
- Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol. Carlini EA, Cunha JM. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (1981).
- Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report. Scott Shannon. The Permanente Journal (2016).
- Anxiolytic-like effects of inhaled linalool oxide in experimental mouse anxiety models. Flávia Negromonte Souto-Maiora et al. The Journal of Pharmacology, Biochemstry, and Behavior (2011).
- Medicinal Properties of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids in Cannabis, and Benefits in Migraine, Headache, and Pain: An Update on Current Evidence and Cannabis Science. Baron, E.P. Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain (2018).
- Potential Clinical Benefits of CBD-Rich Cannabis Extracts Over Purified CBD in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy: Observational Data Meta-analysis. Fabricio A. Pamplona, Lorenzo Rolim da Silva, and Ana Carolina Coan (2018).
- Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater Than the Sum of Their Parts? John M. McPartland DO, MS and Ethan B. Russo MD (2008).
- Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. Ethan B. Russo MD (2011).
- Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time? Malcolm, B. & Tallian, K. (2017). Mental Health Clinician.
- Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. Akhondzadeh, S. et al. (2001). Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
- Lemon oil vapor causes an anti-stress effect via modulating the 5-HT and DA activities in mice. Komiya M1, Takeuchi T and Harada E. (2006).
- The Effects of Ginger Extract and Diazepam on Anxiety Reduction in Animal Model. Fadaki, F., et al. (2017). Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research.
