From the Guidelines
CBD oil may be beneficial for pain relief, anxiety reduction, and sleep improvement, but its use should be approached with caution due to limited scientific evidence and potential side effects, such as reversible liver enzyme abnormalities at high doses, as noted in a 2024 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology 1.
Benefits of CBD Oil
The benefits of CBD oil are thought to be related to its interaction with the body's endocannabinoid system, which may help reduce inflammation and modulate neurotransmitters. Some potential benefits of CBD oil include:
- Pain relief: CBD oil may help reduce chronic pain, as suggested by a 2021 study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia 1
- Anxiety reduction: CBD oil may help reduce anxiety and stress, although more research is needed to confirm this
- Sleep improvement: CBD oil may help improve sleep quality, although the evidence is limited
Dosage and Administration
The optimal dosage of CBD oil is not well established, but common dosages range from 20-300mg daily, typically starting low (5-10mg) and gradually increasing. CBD oil can be taken:
- Sublingually (under the tongue)
- Mixed with food or drinks
- Applied topically
Side Effects and Precautions
Side effects of CBD oil are generally mild, but may include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite It is essential to purchase CBD oil from reputable sources that provide third-party testing results and to consult with a healthcare provider before using CBD oil, especially if you take other medications, as CBD can interact with certain drugs that are metabolized by the liver. Additionally, clinicians should not recommend that adults with cancer use 300 mg or more per day of oral CBD to manage symptom burden due to lack of proven efficacy and risk for reversible liver enzyme abnormalities, as recommended by the 2024 ASCO guideline 1.
From the Research
Benefits of CBD Oil
- CBD oil has been found to have therapeutic potential for various health conditions, including epilepsy, anxiety, pain/inflammation, and others 2.
- There is clear evidence supporting the utility of CBD to treat epilepsy 2.
- Preliminary evidence from human trials suggests that CBD may have anxiolytic effects, making it a potential treatment for anxiety disorders 3.
- CBD may be useful in treating chronic pain, with studies showing pain reduction ranging from 42% - 66% with CBD alone and CBD with Tetrahydrocannabinol 4.
- CBD is also used to seek relief from ailments such as pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, although limited data currently support these benefits 5.
Potential Therapeutic Uses
- Epilepsy: CBD has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat epilepsy, and there is clear evidence supporting its utility 2.
- Anxiety disorders: CBD may have anxiolytic effects, and preliminary evidence from human trials suggests it may be a potential treatment for anxiety disorders 3.
- Chronic pain: CBD may be useful in treating chronic pain, although more studies with robust study designs are warranted to evaluate its effectiveness 4.
- Other health conditions: CBD is also being studied for its potential therapeutic effects on other health conditions, including schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder, although evidence is often mixed or lacking 2.
Safety and Regulation
- Possible concerns with the use of CBD as a therapeutic include the potential for adverse effects, such as liver toxicity, drug-drug interactions, and lack of sufficient regulatory oversight of retail CBD products 2.
- Current regulations on CBD use in consumer products remain uncertain and often conflict between the state and federal level 5.
- More research is needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy of CBD, particularly in regards to its long-term effects and potential interactions with other medications 5.