# Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: Anxiety &#038; Tourette Syndrome

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-clinical-trials-anxiety-disorders/
> **Published:** 2026-04-26T00:17:32-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:57:19-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Explore cannabinoid clinical trials anxiety disorders focusing on CBD and THC effects for anxiety and Tourette syndrome treatment evidence.

---

#### Clinical Takeaway

CBD shows modest evidence for reducing acute anxiety symptoms in some clinical settings, while THC-dominant formulations may increase anxiety and are not recommended for [anxiety disorders](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/). Current evidence is insufficient to establish cannabinoids as first-line treatments for anxiety disorders, and more rigorous [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) are needed to determine optimal dosing, formulation, and patient selection criteria.

### #24 Effects of Different Cannabinoid Formulations on Anxiety-Related Disorders, and Tourette Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

**Citation:** Raminelli Adrieli Oliveira et al. *Effects of Different Cannabinoid Formulations on Anxiety-Related Disorders, and Tourette Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.* Cannabis and [cannabinoid research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-in-reward-processing-pain-perception/). 2025. PMID: 40956670.

**Study type:** Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis  | 

**Topic area:** Anxiety & PTSD  | 

**CED Score:** 10

Design: 6 Journal: 1 N: 0 Recency: 2 Pop: 2 Human: 1 Risk: -2

**Quality Gate Alerts:**
- Preclinical only

**Abstract:** Introduction: Cannabinoid formulations have been increasingly proposed as therapeutic potential options for anxiety disorders (ADs). Several countries have expanded regulatory frameworks facilitating access to these compounds due to their alleged [therapeutic benefits](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/), including their application in ADs. Given its [public health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-mold-contamination-risks-recall-safety/) significance, we evaluated existing evidence regarding the efficacy of different medical cannabinoids as interventions for ADs and related mental conditions. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scielo, and Lilacs databases. We included randomized controlled trials (RTCs) assessing the effects of various cannabinoid formulations on patients with ADs and related conditions. Distinct meta-analyses were performed for cannabinoid subtypes. Analyses were conducted using Jamovi software, relying on standardized mean difference (SMD) calculations of pre/post-intervention score changes for both intervention and control groups. Results: We incorporated 21 placebo-controlled RCTs, examining cannabinoid interventions in social anxiety disorder (SAD = 5), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD = 1), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD = 7), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD = 1), and Tourette syndrome (TS = 7). Data extraction indicated considerable heterogeneity across outcomes, including clinical symptoms, neuroimaging findings, well-being, psychosocial functioning, safety, and tolerability. In studies utilizing pure or enriched CBD, the meta-analytic measure indicated a nonsignificant difference (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI: -0.84/0.03). However, a subgroup analysis of pure CBD compounds yielded a moderate, statistically significant effect size (SMD: -0.61, 95% CI: -1.15/-0.07). For studies investigating pure or enriched delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the meta-analytic measure was -0.65 (95% CI: -1.06/-0.24), suggesting a moderate, significant effect favoring Δ9-THC-dominant compounds. In meta-analyses

 | 

[View on PubMed ↗](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40956670/)[DOI ↗](https://doi.org/10.1177/25785125251378242)

 
 
 [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/)
 
 
 Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care
 A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you.
 Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity.
 
 Health, Longevity, Wellness
 One-on-One Cannabis Guidance
 Metabolic Balance
 
 
 [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/)
 [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/)
 [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/)
 [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/)
 
 
 
 [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/)
 
 

RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC

Continue exploring the evidence

[Cannabinoids for Anxiety & Tourette's: Evidence from Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Cannabis Research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-formulations-anxiety-disorders-evidence-reviews/)

A comprehensive review of cannabinoids' effects on anxiety and Tourette's syndrome based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

[Read More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-formulations-anxiety-disorders-evidence-reviews/)

[Cannabinoid Clinical Trials for Anxiety and Tourette](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-anxiety-clinical-trials-evidence/)

Detailed insights into clinical trials investigating cannabinoids for anxiety and Tourette syndrome treatment.

[Explore Trials](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-anxiety-clinical-trials-evidence/)

[Cannabinoids in Mental Health Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-mental-health-substance-use-disorders-review/)

Systematic review and meta-analysis of cannabinoids in mental health treatment including anxiety disorders.

[Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-mental-health-substance-use-disorders-review/)

Have thoughts on this? Share it:

[X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Trials%3A%20Anxiety%20%26%20Tourette%20Syndrome&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-trials-anxiety-disorders%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-trials-anxiety-disorders%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Trials%3A%20Anxiety%20%26%20Tourette%20Syndrome%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabinoid-clinical-trials-anxiety-disorders%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/)

 

### Related

---

### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House).
- **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`).
- **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/).
- **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637).
- **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).
