One of the biggest studies concerning cannabidiol (CBD) has revealed that people are giving up pharmaceuticals in replacement for using CBD as medicine instead. CBD, the powerful new form of medical marijuana, but without the high, has spiked in popularity over the years, particularly for relief of pain and improving mental health.
The research, conducted by Brightfield Group and HelloMD, covered over 2,400 HelloMD medicinal cannabis community members. Their analysis went into each members’ experience and perceptions of CBD products (both hemp-derived and marijuana-derived).
The CBD Study Results
Contrary to popular belief that men are predominantly marijuana users, this survey found that 55% of the CBD users were women, while men preferred the THC-dominant products.
Dr. Perry Solomon, the Chief Medical Officer of HelloMD, says the main reasons people use CBD are to treat insomnia, depression, anxiety and joint pain. Over 42% of the CBD users said they had stopped using pharmaceuticals like Tylenol or ibuprofen pain relievers or prescription drugs like Vicodin and had switched to using cannabis instead.
“We are seeing an exponential rise in the interest of CBD products from our patient community – particularly among women,” Solomon told Forbes. “While we still have much to learn about CBD, we cannot ignore this one fact; the majority of those using CBD products today receive great benefit. This has the potential for far-reaching consequences.”
A startling 80% said that they found the products to be “very or extremely effective.” Only three percent claimed they did not notice any notable effect.
Bethany Gomez, director of Brightfield Group, announced that “this study is exciting because it shows there is potentially a huge barely-tapped market for CBD products that could improve the lives of many people…With further research and public education, CBD could be an effective alternative treatment for many people, particularly at a time when our nation is in the midst of an opioid crisis.”
Among those surveyed, 90% of respondents said they would be likely to buy marijuana-derived CBD-only products, or purchase again. What persuaded them with this response is the fact that CBD provides medical relief and relaxation without the possible psychoactive effects that can result from THC.
CBD As Medicine
Using CBD as medicine will not only alleviate our need for pharmaceuticals, but it will improve other aspects of our health, too (without us even noticing it!). If someone uses CBD oil for joint pain and inflammation, they might also receive the added benefit of reduced anxiety.
Other medical conditions that CBD users reported using cannabis to relieve (re: the study above) included things like menstrual cramps, skin issues, diabetes, ADHD, and stomach issues (IBS, loss of appetite, etc.).
I’ve personally used CBD oil for pain and anxiety, and the effects are almost immediate. While I do prefer marijuana-derived CBD, hemp-derived CBD also has its benefits.
Hundreds of studies surrounding the benefits of CBD point to the very obvious fact that this plant compound packs some serious healing power.
Multiple studies have demonstrated CBD’s effects on the death of certain cancer cell lines. For example, one study found that CBD successfully inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis (cell death) in cervical cancer cells (1). Other studies have found that CBD increases tumor cell death in leukemia and colon cancer cell lines (2).
One of the most incredible benefits of CBD, which has gained it some serious spotlight in the news over the years, is its ability to reduce epileptic seizures. One study found that a 98 percent oil-based CBD extract (called Epidiolex) reduced 50% of seizures in over 39% of the 23 patients studied (over a 3 month period) (3). Other anecdotal reports of parents and their epileptic children have made claim to the fact that using CBD oil to reduce seizure frequency is effective, and promising.
Fibromyalgia is another condition that CBD has been found to have much success in healing. A 2011 study that used CBD to treat individuals with fibromyalgia divided their participants into two groups: CBD oil group and no-treatment group. Those who used CBD had significant reductions in their symptoms and pain, but the group that didn’t use CBD had no improvement (4).
Is CBD Legal?
As awareness about CBD grows, so does demand. But what about legalization? Is CBD legal to carry? In terms of the Canadian market, yes, but in the United States its a little different.
Since President Trump signed into law the farm bill, hemp has been legalized for growth across the United States. Hemp, however, is different from marijuana (they just so happen to be both part of the cannabis family). So this means that while hemp-derived CBD is completely legal across the United States, marijuana-derived CBD is not (that is, unless one of the states has passed legal laws surrounding marijuana).
According to a map from Quartzy, recreational use of marijuana (and thus, marijuana-derived CBD products) is allowed in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Alaska, Colorado, Michigan, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts.
CBD & Low-THC use (aka. hemp-derived CBD) is allowed in Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Indiana.
For the list of states that allow medicinal use, check out the map below.
Where To Get CBD Products
CBD products can be found online just about anywhere nowadays. Whether you want hemp-derived CBD or marijuana-derived CBD depends on how strong you want it. Generally speaking, marijuana-derived CBD is stronger than hemp-derived.
Pure Kind Botanicals is one company whose products I’ve been using for the last couple months. While they are hemp-derived, I still find them very gentle and effective. They sell different hemp-extract infused butters and oils that are 100% natural and created without the use of harsh chemicals. They also sell CBD capsules, and CBD menstrual relief which is perfect for anyone who experiences intense cramps during their menses.
The only other CBD oil I have used and would recommend is that from Nelson Potorium, but I think it can only be purchased locally now (not online) due to the new laws and regulations put in place after legalization in Canada.
If you’ve personally used any CBD products successfully, let me and others know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply