Cannabis, a substance in marijuana, is becoming more and more mainstream across the U.S., and a related substance is also on the rise: CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an ingredient in cannabis and hemp that has taken the public by storm. CBD products are divided into three classifications: CBD with less than 0.3% THC, CBD with more than 0.3% THC, and pharmaceutical CBD. The only CBD product that is approved by the FDA is Epidiolex, an anti-seizure medication for children who suffer from severe, rare forms of epilepsy. 

Companies have included CBD as the main ingredient in food, beverages, and beauty products. Many products are also advertised as being “CBD-infused.” CBD is sold in oil, extract, capsule, and vapor forms. Products like lotions, gummies, soap, and dog treats are found almost everywhere, from gas stations to retailers to newsstands. Some celebrities have even endorsed CBD products. Sales of CBD products are expected to reach $2 billion by 2022. But the FDA says that other than Epidiolex, no CBD products are approved for medical purposes. 

What is CBD?

CBD is an active ingredient in Cannabis sativa, or hemp, plants that is not considered to have effects typically associated with the “high” of marijuana. These plants are classified based on their THC concentration. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana that gives users the feeling of being “high.”Plants with less than 0.3% of THC are often just referred to as hemp. Plants with more than 0.3% of THC are known as cannabis. CBD can come from either.

Organic CBD products are marketed as helping increase relaxation, decrease anxiety, and as having anti-inflammatory qualities. However, there is no scientific evidence behind these claims. One study showed that over half of the people currently using CBD products say they use them to treat medical conditions like pain, anxiety, and depression. However, making medical claims for a product requires FDA approval based on clinical trials proving safety and effectiveness, which CBD does not have. It can be sold as a dietary supplement, but only if it does not claim to improve health.

Current Research

The FDA has concluded that CBD has benefits that outweigh the risks for the epilepsy drug Epidiolex. This is based on studies of patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). These two childhood epilepsy syndromes typically do not respond to anti-seizure medications. The FDA approved Epidiolex based on 4 double-blind placebo-controlled trials showing that CBD oil could significantly reduce the number of seizures that participants were having. If you have been using any CBD product besides Epidiolex to treat epilepsy, stop taking it and consult a doctor to find out if the product is safe and consistent with your symptoms.

Animal studies suggest that CBD might be effective in treating pain management and disorders like schizophrenia, PTSD, and phobias. Some researchers even hope that CBD could help with substance abuse disorders and addiction cravings. However, there is not enough research in humans to support those claims or claims that CBD helps people “relax” more than just a placebo effect. Some human trials also looked at CBD to treat anxiety, but these trials are also too small and short-term to show effectiveness. The FDA has allowed researchers to study CBD in humans since 2015, but the information currently available is mostly limited to animal trials.

Bottom Line

It is possible that CBD uk could benefit people with several different symptoms, but there is currently no concrete, scientific evidence other than for pediatric epilepsy. Before deciding whether to take CBD supplements, talk to your doctor to determine how CBD may affect you, and be aware that the advertising claims for most CBD products are unproven. The FDA is encouraging more clinical research to understand the science behind CBD and how it could be used in the future, but it currently remains a complicated issue. 

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