Frontline health care professionals who work with patients with COVID-19 have an increased incidence of burnout symptoms. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CBD for reducing emotional exhaustion and burnout symptoms among frontline health care professionals working with COVID-19 patients at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School University Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.
In this clinical trial, a total of 120 participants were randomized to receive either CBD (300 mg) + standard treatment (n = 61) or standard care alone (n = 59) for 28 days. Emotional exhaustion scores were reduced among participants receiving CBD + standard care compared with those receiving standard care alone. Five participants who received CBD + standard care experienced serious adverse events and were fully recovered after discontinuation.
This study suggests that CBD may be effective for the reduction of emotional exhaustion and burnout symptoms among frontline health care professionals, although it is important to balance the benefits with potential undesired side effects when using CBD for the treatment.
Reference:
Crippa, J. A. S. et al. Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol Plus Standard Care vs Standard Care Alone for the Treatment of Emotional Exhaustion and Burnout Among Frontline Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open 4, e2120603–e2120603 (2021).
