What Does the Research Say About CBD, Sleep and Anxiety?
If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake with a mind that won’t shut off, you know how closely stress, anxiety and sleep can be connected.
It’s also one reason researchers have been interested in cannabidiol (CBD) and its potential role in supporting calm and sleep.
A frequently cited 2019 study published in The Permanente Journal looked at CBD use among adults experiencing anxiety or poor sleep. While the findings don’t prove that CBD treats either condition, they offer an interesting look at how CBD performed in a real-world clinical setting.
What the Study Looked At
Researchers conducted a retrospective review of adult patients at a psychiatric clinic who were given CBD alongside their usual care.
The final analysis included 72 adults:
- 47 had anxiety as their primary concern
- 25 had poor sleep as their primary concern
Researchers tracked patients' anxiety and sleep scores using validated measures.
What Did They Find?
After the first month:
79.2% of patients had lower anxiety scores.
Those scores remained lower throughout the study period.
66.7% of patients had improved sleep scores.
CBD was also generally well tolerated, with only three patients experiencing poor tolerance.
What Does That Actually Mean?
These results are encouraging, but there's an important distinction between promising research and proof.
This was a retrospective case series rather than a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients were also receiving their usual psychiatric care in addition to CBD, so the study cannot establish that CBD itself caused the improvements.
The researchers concluded that CBD may hold potential benefit for anxiety-related concerns, while emphasizing the need for controlled clinical studies.
That's an important distinction—and one we believe consumers deserve to understand.
Why We Follow the Research
At Blue Sky CBD, we're excited about the growing body of research around cannabinoids, sleep and wellness. We're equally committed to being transparent about what the science does—and doesn't—tell us yet.
That's why we believe CBD products should start with quality you can verify.
Blue Sky CBD products are made with zero THC and tested to ensure potency and purity, so you know exactly what you're putting into your body.
Because better wellness choices start with better information.
Interested in adding CBD to your nighttime routine? Explore Blue Sky CBD's sleep products.
This article discusses emerging research and is for educational purposes only. Blue Sky CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your healthcare provider before adding CBD to your wellness routine, particularly if you take medications.
Source: Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, Hughes S. Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041.