New research highlights CBD's potential to ease anxiety in cancer care.

A groundbreaking study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mass General Brigham has shed light on cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential tool for anxiety management in breast cancer patients. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, reveal that while CBD did not significantly reduce anxiety tied to medical scans compared to a placebo, it proved safe and effectively lowered overall anxiety levels.

Anxiety affects nearly one in four adults undergoing cancer treatment, with many experiencing "scanxiety," a stress response triggered by imaging studies. Current treatments, like benzodiazepines, come with risks such as oversedation and falls, creating a need for alternative therapies.

The study involved 50 patients with advanced breast cancer, divided into two groups. One group received a 400 mg dose of FDA-approved CBD, while the other took a placebo. Researchers assessed anxiety levels using the Visual Analog Mood Scale (VAMS) before and 2-to-4 hours after treatment. Although the primary goal—to find a significant difference between the groups—wasn’t achieved, CBD users reported noticeably reduced anxiety within hours.

“This research lays the foundation for larger trials exploring CBD’s role in cancer-related anxiety,” said Dr. Peter Chai, co-first author. Dr. Ilana Braun, the study’s lead, emphasized the high interest in CBD trials, even during the pandemic, underscoring the urgent need for innovative anxiety treatments.

With these promising results, researchers advocate for more studies to evaluate CBD as a safe and effective option for managing anxiety in cancer care.