September 19, 2022

The Truth About CBD: How Effective Is It Really?

CBD is one of the most popular supplements on the market today. But you're a savvy consumer. You know just because something is popular doesn’t mean it holds up to the claims. So, how effective is CBD really?

CBD offers a wide range of potential health benefits, but there’s still some debate over how well it works.

Just how effective is CBD at addressing various conditions? Let’s take a look at the evidence.

What Is CBD Effective For?

There’s a growing body of data to suggest that CBD may help with fibromyalgia pain, muscle spasticity, anxiety, and sleep disorders.(1) It could potentially help with a variety of chronic conditions, and boost overall wellbeing and quality of life.

To evaluate effectiveness, let’s examine some of the recent research on cannabidiol.

Research On CBD's Effectiveness

In a recent randomized control study, over 3,000 participants were assigned different CBD products to evaluate their effectiveness. The investigators looked at the effectiveness of CBD in five different dimensions of wellness, with the following results:(2)

  • Anxiety. 63% of participants saw clinically meaningful improvement
  • Anxiety. 61% of participants saw clinically meaningful improvement
  • Anxiety. 47% of participants saw clinically meaningful improvement
  • Well-being. 71% improvement in overall well-being
  • Quality of life. 22% improvement in general quality of life

These are some pretty incredible results!

Because we love throwing facts and figures at you, let’s take a look at some more. We do like to get down in the weeds of this stuff for you….

How Effective Is CBD At Pain Reduction?

Many studies have looked into CBD's effectiveness in pain reduction. A 2018 review of the literature found that CBD was effective at reducing various types of chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia, cancer pain, and neuropathic pain.(3)

Some evidence suggests that CBD in combination with THC might be even more powerful than CBD on its own. We know this phenomenon as the entourage effect, and it’s one of the reasons that whole-plant cannabis is often more effective than isolated cannabinoids.

The science is pointing towards CBD being an effective pain reliever, so it very well may work wonders for you.

”By the fifth day, I was pain-free. I injured my back in 2019…and have been in constant pain. With lots of physical therapy, good supplements and a healthy diet, I reached a point where I could move with bearable pain. Once I started taking this product, I became pain-free for the first time in three years! I wholeheartedly recommend this product!” — Victoria A.

How Effective Is CBD At Reducing Anxiety?

There have also been dozens of studies on CBD's impact on anxiety disorders. A 2015 review looked at 49 studies and concluded that CBD has the potential to help with a variety of anxiety disorders, including:(4)

  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

While no CBD-based anti-anxiety drugs exist as of yet, the evidence suggests that CBD may be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in the future. (Or part of an overall care plan.)

”...Great way to soften everyday anxiety and stress with a clear head….” — Derek N.

How Effective Is CBD At Improving Sleep?

Some people have reported significant improvements in their sleep patterns after taking CBD. And previous research suggests that CBD may help those with sleeping disorders like insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.(5)

This is an area that warrants more research. But for many, CBD is truly helping improve sleep quality.

”Working so well! Started taking it as soon as it came in about two weeks ago, and already I can see it's helping. I used to have a lot of trouble falling asleep, but now it takes me about 5, 10 minutes to fall asleep.” — Kel

How Effective Is CBD At Treating Seizures?

Here is where we know with some certainty that CBD is an effective treatment. The FDA-approved CBD medicine, Epidiolex, is used to treat rare and severe forms of seizure disorders:

  • Dravet syndrome
  • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
  • Tuberous sclerosis complex

We learned from numerous clinical studies that Epidiolex is effective at reducing seizures.(6) However, you need a prescription for this very specific form of CBD.

CBD: Really Effective Or Placebo Effect?

CBD is a popular product with a growing body of research to support its use, especially for:

  • Pain
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Sleep disorders
  • Seizures

While more studies are needed to solidify its effectiveness from a medical perspective, the current evidence suggests that people are seeing significant benefits across a range of health issues.

Whether CBD is effective for youmay depend on your body chemistry, the severity of your symptoms, your CBD regimen, and other factors.

If you're considering trying CBD, be sure to talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you. And get your hands on a high-quality CBD product for the best results!

TRY CBD TODAY

References

  1. (2021). CBD products are everywhere. But do they work? Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/cbd-products-are-everywhere-but-do-they-work
  2. M. (2021). Radicle ACES: the top line results are in! Radicle Science. https://radiclescience.com/resources/radicle-aces-the-top-line-results-are-in 
  3. Vučković, S, et al. (2018). Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules. Frontiers in pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259
  4. Blessing, EM, et al. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
  5. Kaul, M, et al. (2021). Effects of Cannabinoids on Sleep and their Therapeutic Potential for Sleep Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-021-01013-w
  6. Slowiczek, L. (2021). Epidiolex (cannabidiol). Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/epidiolex


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