Researchers at the University of California, San Diego examined nationally representative survey data to uncover trends in cannabidiol use. The study was partially supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.
The survey found that roughly 35 percent of U.S. adults reported using CBD at some point in their lives. This non-intoxicating cannabinoid has gained popularity since hemp and its derivatives became federally legal in 2018. The 1,008 CBD users who participated shared details about how often they use it, their preferred methods, and whether they use it alongside or in place of traditional medications.
Among those who have tried CBD, 32 percent reported using it as either a substitute or an adjunct to at least one medication, with adjunct use being more common. People who take CBD for therapeutic reasons often target conditions such as joint pain and other musculoskeletal issues, anxiety and psychiatric disorders, and general health concerns.
Commonly replaced or co-administered medications include over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and Tylenol. Only a small portion of respondents, about 2.4 percent, reported experiencing a health problem they believed was linked to CBD use. The study highlights that CBD use in combination with prescription or over-the-counter drugs is common and carries potential for interactions, underscoring the need for more research on proper dosing, product quality, and safety.
While questions remain about the risks and benefits of combining CBD with other medications, the study notes that many prescription drugs, such as opioids for pain or psychotropics for anxiety, carry serious side effects or dependency risks. CBD, which generally has few side effects and low potential for dependence at moderate doses, may offer benefits by reducing anxiety or helping patients lower or discontinue medications that pose greater risks.
Currently, the FDA has only approved a synthetic form of CBD to treat severe epilepsy. This does not mean CBD lacks therapeutic potential for other conditions, but regulatory hurdles and historical restrictions on cannabis research have made clinical evidence difficult to generate. Federal actions, such as the executive order signed by President Trump directing reclassification of marijuana and expanding coverage of CBD under certain health programs, aim to reduce barriers and support rigorous research into medical cannabis and CBD.
Research beyond CBD also supports the use of cannabis as an alternative to opioids. Studies have shown that legalizing medical or recreational marijuana is associated with reduced opioid prescribing, lower overdose deaths, and decreased payments from opioid manufacturers to pain specialists. International research from Australia and studies published in journals such as Drug and Alcohol Review echo these findings, suggesting that cannabis, including CBD, has a significant role to play in pain management and reducing reliance on more dangerous medications.
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