Abstract
COVID-19-related anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) or
disorder (PTSD) are likely to be a significant long-term issue emerging
from the current pandemic. We hypothesise that cannabidiol (CBD), a
chemical isolated from Cannabis Sativa with reported anxiolytic
properties, could be a therapeutic option for the treatment of
COVID-19-related anxiety disorders. In the global over-the-counter CBD
market, anxiety, stress, depression and sleep disorders are consistently
the top reasons people use CBD. In small randomised, controlled clinical
trials, CBD reduces anxiety in healthy volunteers, patients with social
anxiety disorder, those at clinical high risk of psychosis, in patients
with Parkinson’s disease, and in individuals with heroin use disorder.
Case reports and series support these findings, extending to patients
with anxiety and sleep disorders, Crohn’s disease, depression and in
PTSD. Preclinical studies reveal the molecular targets of CBD in these
indications as the cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2)
receptors (mainly in fear memory processing), serotonin 5HT1a receptors
(mainly in anxiolysis) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
gamma (PPARγ) (mainly in the underpinning anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant
effects). Observational and preclinical data also support CBD’s
therapeutic value in improving sleep (increased sleep duration/quality
and reduction in nightmares) and depression, often comorbid with
anxiety. Together these features of CBD to reduce anxiety and
depression, and improve sleep disturbances, could be an attractive novel
therapeutic option in relieving COVID-related post-traumatic stress
symptoms.