With So Many Unknowns, We’re Not Sold on CBD
A look into the substance with big promises, little research, and no regulation.
Posted February 18, 2020 | Reviewed by Daniel Lyons M.A.
It is getting increasingly difficult to drive down any main street of an American city without seeing a sign promoting Cannabidiol (CBD). Sellers are touting the potential for better health and pain relief, presenting CBD as a remedy for a wide range of medical conditions.
Forbes recently reported the CBD industry could achieve sales of $20 billion by 2024. A 2019 Gallup poll found one in seven Americans use CBD to treat anxiety , sleep, and pain problems. Google searches show millions of people seeking information on the benefits of CBD oil.
CBD is here and widely accessible, but before you buy into the hype, it’s important to consider the implications for your health and the public at large. Little medical research exists to support the efficacy of CBD use in treating the wide array of medical concerns claimed by broad-brush advertisements.
CBD is one of the active ingredients in marijuana, although CBD is not known to lead to dependence or a euphoric high. Some research supports CBD in the treatment of seizure disorders when used as an alternative for patients who do not respond well to anti-seizure medications. Available as the prescription drug, Epidiolex, CBD is FDA-approved for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. CBD has rumored benefits for sleep disorders, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorders, and chronic pain , but research is limited, so caution is advised.
The void of high-quality CBD research prevents clinicians from recommending evidence-based treatment strategies for people suffering from many debilitating conditions. Without scientific studies, each person using CBD is participating in an ad hoc, unsupervised research trial. Fortunately, the federal government recently allocated $3 million to study the health benefits of CBD. Until there is enough data, consumers should be aware of key safety considerations:
Weighing the Pros and Cons of CBD
As health care and helping professionals, we are sensitive to helping people cope with physical and mental conditions. Sound, appropriate research arms us with innovative approaches and supporting information to help people heal from debilitating conditions. For some, it is difficult to wait for this type of research, and they maintain the possible benefits of CBD outweigh the risks of using it. If you are considering taking CBD, be proactive:
About the Author: John O’Neill, EdD, LCSW, LCDC, CSAT directs the outpatient programs at Menninger’s Outpatient Services' location in Bellaire, Texas, where he oversees the practice’s interdisciplinary team approach to assessment and treatment. He is a licensed clinical social worker and chemical dependency counselor whose specialties include substance use; gambling problems; the impact of addictions on professionals, including athletes; sexual compulsivity; and emotional stressors for executives and high-functioning professionals.
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Mind Matters is a collaborative blog written by Menninger staff and an occasional invited guest to increase awareness about mental health. Launched in 2019, Mind Matters is curated and edited by an expert clinical team, which is led by Robyn Dotson Martin, LPC-S. Martin serves as an Outpatient Assessment team leader and staff therapist.
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