Investigating cannabidiol as a treatment for social anxiety disorder
Official title: Randomized placebo controlled trial to determine the biological signature of cannabidiol as a treatment for social anxiety disorder
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10706609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether CBD, a natural compound from cannabis, can help people with social anxiety feel less anxious, and if you join, you'll either get CBD or a placebo to see how it affects your symptoms and brain activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $589,309 |
| NIH project number | 5R61AT012026-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10706609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with social anxiety disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have social anxiety disorder or those who are currently receiving effective treatment for their anxiety may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the potential of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from the cannabis plant, as a treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). The study involves a randomized placebo-controlled trial to assess the biological effects of CBD on individuals with SAD, focusing on its impact on anxiety symptoms and related brain activity. Participants will receive either CBD or a placebo, and researchers will analyze the outcomes to determine the effectiveness and safety of CBD for treating anxiety. The goal is to provide evidence-based insights that could lead to new treatment options for those suffering from SAD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer a novel and effective treatment option for individuals with social anxiety disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results for the use of CBD in reducing anxiety symptoms, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simon, Naomi M — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Simon, Naomi M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.