The use of cannabidiol products for the treatment of either a specific health condition or for general well-being is becoming prevalent among the general public, according to survey data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
Researchers at San Diego State University and at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon surveyed a self-selected cohort of 2,409 respondents with regard to their use of CBD products. Respondents typically ranged between 55 and 74 years of age.
Almost 62 percent of respondents reported using CBD for the purposes of treating a specific medical condition. The top three most commonly cited medical conditions were pain, anxiety, and depression. Almost 36 percent of subjects reported that CBD treats their medical conditions “very well by itself,” while only 4.3 percent reported the substance to be largely ineffective.
Authors concluded: “The use of CBD among individuals for both specific health conditions and general health and well-being is widespread. … CBD is being used as a specific therapy for a number of diverse medical conditions – particularly pain and inflammatory disorders, in addition to anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. A large percentage of respondents indicate that CBD treats their condition(s) effectively in the absence of conventional medicine and with non-serious adverse effects. These data provide a compelling rationale for further research to better understand the therapeutic potential of CBD in treating chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and other medical conditions.”