CBD-rich products linked to improvements in pain, anxiety and depression – study

The use of CBD-rich products has been shown to be beneficial in patients with severe symptoms of anxiety, pain and depression. 

A team of Canadian researchers assessed the use of CBD products over a six-month period in patients experiencing mild to severe symptoms of pain, anxiety and depression. 

CBD products are increasingly being touted as beneficial for overall wellbeing – and are most commonly used for pain, anxiety and sleep – despite limited scientific evidence. 

This study aimed to address the lack of real-world data studies investigating the impact of CBD on symptom control in the common conditions pain, anxiety, depression, and poor wellbeing.

The study involved 279 patients with mild to severe symptoms, participants were predominantly women in their 60s seeking chronic pain management.

They were assessed before the initiation of treatment and then at three and six month follow ups.

CBD was found to be most beneficial in patients with moderate to severe symptoms, while those whose symptoms were mild experienced little overall change.

In Canada, where the study was carried out, CBD-rich products are administered in various methods and formats, but most commonly as plant-derived extracts or oils and inhaled as dried flowers.

The authors concluded that these findings go some way to address the “myths and misinformation” about CBD and called for further research to be conducted.

They stated: “This retrospective observational study suggests CBD-rich treatment has a beneficial impact on pain, anxiety, and depression symptoms as well as overall wellbeing only for patients with moderate to severe symptoms; however, no observed effect on mild symptoms.

“The results of this study contribute to address the myths and misinformation about CBD treatment and demand further investigation.”