OIL/ OKSANA MIZINA/SHUTTERSTOCK / ILLUSTRATION/CHISTOPRUDNAYA/SHUTTERSTOCK
HEALTHY LIVING
IS IT EFFECTIVE? A 2024 study from the University of Colorado at Boulder found that CBD was signifi cantly better at reducing anxiety than THC in 300 volunteers. Since anxiety is the most common
Does it work and is it safe? ::
BY CHRIS ILIADES, M.D. W
hile there is not yet enough research to prove its eff ectiveness, many people fi nd
CBD eases anxiety, promotes sleep, relieves pain, and more. A recent Forbes Health Survey
of U.S. adults found that 60% had tried or were currently using a CBD product and believe it has some benefi ts. The cannabis plant
contains two active substances: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC, the psychoactive ingredient
in marijuana, makes you high. CBD doesn’t get you high, but it may have other eff ects. “CBD and THC are both cannabinoids, meaning they are compounds that are naturally found in the cannabis plant,” says Ryan Marino, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland. “CBD has been studied for
chronic pain, anxiety, sleep, infl ammatory and irritable bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions.”
mental health disorder, that could be a big benefi t, but over-the-counter CBD has not yet been approved for any health-related conditions. “The only FDA-approved
indication for CBD is in the treatment of multiple forms of epilepsy, or seizure disorders,” Marino says. “There is not high-quality evidence for CBD use in any other conditions. “The pharmaceutical CBD used in
seizure disorders uses CBD doses that are orders of magnitude greater than in the CBD products available for sale and advertised for other conditions.”
WHAT PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE?
CBD comes as creams, lotions, or oils for sore feet or muscles. People may take CBD gummies
and other edibles, pills, capsules, or vapes for sleep, pain, anxiety, stress, relaxation, mental health, or just to feel well. There is not enough research
to approve the use of CBD for any of these conditions in any form, although many people who use CBD products do believe that they help.
IS CBD LEGAL? CBD from cannabis is legal in most states. CBD oil can also be extracted from the hemp plant, which is similar to the cannabis plant but does not have THC. CBD from hemp is legal in all states. The FDA has not approved CBD as a food additive or marketing it as dietary supplement.
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS? “Long-term eff ects are not well known,” warns Marino. “While CBD is usually well
tolerated, it has been reported to cause sedation, fatigue, sleep changes, appetite changes, and even diarrhea. There is concern that CBD may cause liver toxicity, testicular atrophy, and could interact adversely with medications.” Some common medications
aff ected by CBD include blood thinners and seizure medications.
TIPS FOR TRYING CBD “Since CBD is not FDA-approved or regulated, there is no testing to know what you are getting,” advises Marino. “Testing of various CBD products has shown they may contain some THC (which is a federally banned substance) and other compounds, and may not even contain CBD.” CBD may be worth a try if you understand that the benefi ts are not guaranteed and there may be side eff ects or drug interactions. The best advice for any supplement or health product not regulated by the FDA is to check with your doctor fi rst.
86 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | JULY 2025
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