CBD for OCD: Effects, Benefits, & Risks

What Is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

The chemical component cannabidiol (CBD) is found in the cannabis plant. It is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in the plant, and it is the second most–prevalent cannabinoid after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that causes the “high” sensation associated with marijuana use. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive, which means it does not provide a high.²

Derived from the cannabis plant, CBD can be found in a range of forms, such as oils, tinctures, capsules, gummies, and topicals. CBD products are becoming more popular due to their possible health benefits.

What Is OCD?

Anxiety is part of the human condition, and everyone experiences it from time to time. We all worry about issues like health, finances, and the future at some point in our lives. It’s common to have intrusive thoughts, even “bad” ones. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have OCD.

A diagnosis of OCD is reached when OCD symptoms in the form of obsessions and compulsions cause individuals to rigidly spend excessive amounts of time and resources, leading to significant distress and interfering with daily functioning, such as going to school, work, and social activities.³ And while there are several types of OCD, they all share the same underlying symptoms.

Some symptoms of OCD include:⁴

• Obsessive thoughts: Individuals may have intrusive thoughts about making mistakes and need to check their work repeatedly or avoid doing certain things because they fear making mistakes.
• Compulsive arranging: Individuals may arrange things in a specific way, and if they cannot do it for some reason, they may feel as if something is “out of place or wrong.”
• Unwanted mental images: Individuals may experience unwanted catastrophic images that cause them to feel highly distressed.
• Fear of germs and contamination: Individuals may take extreme precautions to avoid germs and contamination or avoid situations where they could be exposed to those.
• Excessive cleaning and washing: Individuals with OCD cleaning compulsions may develop rigid rules to ensure that something is clean, and such rules may affect interpersonal relationships.
• Scrupulosity: Individuals with OCD may excessively pray or repeat words silently out of fear that something they did or did not do might have violated a religious or moral code.
• Fear of losing control: Individuals with OCD may experience intrusive thoughts related to their ability to predict and control life situations, making it difficult for them to accept the uncertain realities of human experience.
• Compulsive counting: Counting compulsively may happen when individuals with OCD are trying to block an intrusive thought, responding to an obsession, or feeling that specific numbers have a special meaning.

Can CBD Ease Symptoms Of OCD?

CBD products appear very popular these days, promising help for a wide range of ailments, from insomnia and hot flashes to chronic pain and seizures. Some of these statements are true, while others are still unfounded.

The use of CBD to treat OCD symptoms is still in its early phases of research, and results have been mixed. CBD was found to be beneficial in lowering OCD symptoms in a group of 87 patients with the condition in a 2020 study. CBD users reported significant reductions in obsessive thoughts, compulsions, and anxiety levels.⁵

While these findings seem encouraging, studies have been exploratory and not controlled for placebo effects. Evidence for caution is shown in another 2020 study¹ conducted in a laboratory and controlled for placebo effects, in which there was little to no evidence that CBD reduced OCD symptoms. To this end, more prominent clinical trials are required to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of CBD for OCD.

How Is CBD Thought to Help OCD Symptoms?

CBD has a diverse pharmacological profile that includes interactions with several receptors known to regulate fear and anxiety-related behaviors, including the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that plays a role in regulating many different bodily functions, including mood, pain, sleep, and appetite.⁶

CBD is thought to bind to these receptors and produces various effects, such as reducing inflammation, relieving pain, reducing anxiety, depression, anxious repetitive and compulsive behaviors, and stress, and improving sleep quality.⁷

Recently, CBD oil for anxiety has gained popularity as it can be consumed orally or topically. Most people find CBD oil to be safe and tolerable. However, before using CBD oil, consult with your doctor, especially if you are taking any other drugs.

How Much CBD Should You Take To Ease OCD Symptoms?

As with most medications, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much CBD you should take to relieve OCD symptoms. If deemed safe and effective by a medical doctor, the appropriate CBD dose depends on factors such as symptom severity, body weight, other medications, and the quality of the CBD.

Even though CBD is thought to be safe, it may cause sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, and, in rare cases, liver damage. Combining CBD with other drugs that have comparable adverse effects may make you more susceptible to toxicity or unpleasant side effects.⁷

Put another way, taking CBD concurrently with over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs and substances that induce drowsiness like alcohol, benzodiazepines like Ativan or Xanax, opioids, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antihistamines like Benadryl, may result in increased fatigue and sleepiness as well as the possibility of unintentional falls and car accidents.⁷

What Is The Entourage Effect?

The entourage effect, like a lot of what we currently know about medical cannabis, is merely a well-supported theory. This theory posits that the full spectrum of the cannabis plant, such as phytocannabinoids and terpenes, work better together than if taken in isolation.

Six popular terpenes were examined in a 2019 study,⁸ both separately and in combination. The researchers discovered that the addition of terpenes had no influence on the effects of THC on the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. This does not imply that there is no entourage effect at all. It simply indicates the necessity for additional research.

All things considered, the entourage effect is a complex phenomenon that is currently being studied. Nonetheless, it is crucial to discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of the entourage effect with your doctor if you are thinking about using CBD.

When To Get Professional Support

When symptoms of OCD interfere with individuals’ daily functioning and quality of life, it is important to seek professional help. Generally, comprehensive treatment for OCD may involve a combination of medication management, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation.

When seeking OCD treatment, finding a mental health practitioner specialized in treating this condition is essential. You can look for experienced, neurodiverse affirming therapists on a local therapist directory. But there are also online therapy platforms that specialize in treating OCD, like NOCD.  You can also explore medication options with an online psychiatrist.