Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an anxiolytic drug.
OBJECTIVE
To review and describe studies of the non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa, cannabidiol (CBD), as an anxiolytic drug and discuss its possible mechanisms of action.


METHODS
The articles selected for the review were identified through searches in English, Portuguese, and Spanish in the electronic databases ISI Web of Knowledge, SciELO, PubMed, and PsycINFO, combining the search terms "cannabidiol and anxiolytic", "cannabidiol and anxiolytic-like", and "cannabidiol and anxiety". The reference lists of the publications included, review articles, and book chapters were handsearched for additional references. Experimental animal and human studies were included, with no time restraints.


RESULTS
Studies using animal models of anxiety and involving healthy volunteers clearly suggest an anxiolytic-like effect of CBD. Moreover, CBD was shown to reduce anxiety in patients with social anxiety disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Future clinical trials involving patients with different anxiety disorders are warranted, especially of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorders. The adequate therapeutic window of CBD and the precise mechanisms involved in its anxiolytic action remain to be determined.
Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. alexschier@hotmail.com
Alexandre Rafael de Mello
AR
Schier
Natalia Pinho de Oliveira
NP
Ribeiro
Adriana Cardoso de Oliveira e
AC
Silva
Jaime Eduardo Cecílio
JE
Hallak
José Alexandre S
JA
Crippa
Antonio E
AE
Nardi
Antonio Waldo
AW
Zuardi
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D002185:Cannabidiol