CBD For Inflammation: Does It Work?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a popular supplement for a range of purported health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects. But does research support the anti-inflammatory claims often touted by CBD retailers and some health care practitioners?
While research indicates CBD may reduce inflammation in the body, scientists and experts agree further clinical trials are necessary to understand this specific effect of CBD.
Read on to learn more about what experts know about CBD's potential effect on inflammation, including types of CBD available, pros and cons of using CBD for inflammation, recommended dosages and more.
Forbes Health covers CBD and cannabis products in accordance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines. Learn more about Forbes Health's practices and policies regarding how we cover CBD and cannabis as a publisher.
Thanks to its potentially beneficial health effects, CBD—a naturally occurring active ingredient in the cannabis sativa plant—is popular in products like CBD oils, CBD gummies and topical CBD creams and lotions. Unlike the intoxicatingly psychoactive effects of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another abundant cannabinoid in hemp, CBD is not psychoactive.
Among health benefits like supporting sleep and reducing anxiety, researchers believe CBD may help reduce inflammation. While inflammation is a natural and protective bodily response to injury and illness, excessive and chronic inflammation can lead to negative health effects, such as chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, heart disease and more.
'As CBD has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory properties, there is clear interest and investment in exploring CBD-containing products for inflammatory conditions,' says Staci Gruber, Ph.D., director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core and Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) program at Mass General Brigham's McLean Hospital.
Along with other naturally occurring cannabinoids, CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex and widespread network of cannabinoid receptors and enzymes that influence metabolism, appetite, movement, emotional regulation and many other biological functions. Researchers are still working to understand exactly how the ECS functions in the human body, as well as how consuming external cannabinoids, such as CBD oils or gummies, interact with and affect its functions, including reducing inflammation.
A 2019 review in Antioxidants confirms early research is promising regarding CBD's ability to lower systemic inflammation, noting CBD's favorable lack of psychoactive effects. Additional research suggests CBD may be beneficial in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic digestive condition in which inflammation may play a role, according to a 2023 review in Current Developments in Nutrition.
Researchers agree further clinical studies are needed to fully understand CBD's role in mitigating inflammation. Potential CBD Side Effects and Risks of CBD for Inflammation
CBD is often touted as a natural and holistic remedy, but using CBD products may pose risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), potentially harmful side effects of CBD may include: Damage to the liver
Appetite changes and digestive problems, such as diarrhea
Potentially harmful interactions with prescription medications
Sedation
Mood changes, including irritability
The CDC advises pregnant and breastfeeding individuals against using products containing CBD due to lack of comprehensive safety data.
Consumers can find retail CBD products in various forms, from topical creams and ointments to orally administered oils, tinctures and edibles.
'Some individuals find clinical benefit from using products that are applied directly to the skin, either in forms like topicals or transdermal patches,' says Dr. Gruber. 'Importantly, however, bioavailability (the amount of a substance which actively enters circulation in order to have an effect) is considered fairly low for skin-based applications, and as a result, many choose to supplement these products with an orally administered, more 'systemic' approach.'
With any type of CBD product, bioavailability is difficult to predict, says Dr. Gruber. She suggests that CBD oils held under the tongue for several seconds before swallowing may have enhanced bioavailability and therefore a more potent effect.
'Some newer formulation types are designed to have exponentially greater bioavailability, and I look forward to actual empirical data regarding their impact,' notes Dr. Gruber.
Those interested in using CBD for acute or systemic inflammation should first consult a health care provider to ensure the cannabinoid is appropriate for their unique needs.
'First and foremost, it is important for anyone with an inflammatory condition to be highly vigilant and mindful of what is in the [CBD] product and what is not,' advises Dr. Gruber. 'Insist on certificates of analyses (COAs) that match the batch of product you're choosing to ensure the specific amounts of cannabinoids on the label are actually contained in the product.'
COAs should confirm the absence of health-compromising contaminants, including pesticides, yeast, mold and heavy metals, among others, she adds.
In addition to COAs, individuals interested in using CBD for inflammation may want to consider whether a product is organic, taste preferences for orally consumed products like oils and gummies, known allergies, personal budget and more.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't provide official dosing recommendations for retail CBD products, so consumers should consult a knowledgeable health care professional about appropriate dosing and duration of treatment, as well as carefully read manufacturer recommendations.
A 2024 review in Molecules found that daily oral doses of CBD between 15 to 160 milligrams demonstrated no negative side effects. However, Dr. Gruber notes that oral CBD dosing is highly nuanced.
'Dosing depends so much on a variety of individual factors, including age, sex, previous history with cannabis, genetics, family history (if considering products that contain THC), metabolism and use of other medications or substances, to name a few,' she explains. 'There is no 'one size fits all' or even 'one size fits most' when it comes to cannabis and cannabinoid-based therapies.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
"Gasping": Scientists Make Breakthrough Toward Full Cure for HIV
Researchers say they've taken a major step toward finding a cure for HIV. As The Guardian reports, scientists at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne found a way to make the HIV virus visible, potentially laying the groundwork for ways to banish it from the body altogether. As detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the team developed a way to send messenger RNA into cells, to root out the hiding virus by fully enveloping it in a bubble of formulated fat called lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The genetic molecules then instruct the cells to make the virus visible. Author and Doherty Institute research fellow Paula Cevaal told the Guardian that it was "previously thought impossible" to deliver mRNA into HIV-containing white blood cells. But thanks to a new type of LNPs, dubbed LNP X, the team found a way for these cells to accept the mRNA. "Our hope is that this new nanoparticle design could be a new pathway to an HIV cure," she added. The human immunodeficiency virus attacks the human body's immune system and can lead to deadly AIDS if left untreated. Despite decades of research, there's still no effective cure for the disease; though a handful of patients have been fully cured of HIV, the treatments remain brutally complex and expensive. While the number of people in the United States living with HIV has decreased since 2018, over 39,000 new patients were diagnosed in 2023. The latest research came with such surprising findings that the team didn't believe it at first. "We were overwhelmed by how [much of a] night and day difference it was — from not working before, and then all of a sudden it was working. And all of us were just sitting gasping like, 'wow,'" Cevaal told the Guardian. While it's a promising step in the right direction, scientists still have to figure out whether making the hidden virus visible will cause the body's immune system to deal with it. Other possibilities include developing new ways to combine their findings with other gene therapies to ultimately cure HIV. Before the latest technique can be used in humans, it would also have to be put through its paces, from animal experiments to human safety trials, a process that could easily take many years. And Cevaal appears to be realistic about those chances. "In the field of biomedicine, many things eventually don't make it into the clinic — that is the unfortunate truth; I don't want to paint a prettier picture than what is the reality," she told the Guardian. "But in terms of specifically the field of HIV cure, we have never seen anything close to as good as what we are seeing, in terms of how well we are able to reveal this virus." "So from that point of view, we're very hopeful that we are also able to see this type of response in an animal, and that we could eventually do this in humans," she added. Beyond HIV, the researchers are hoping their LNP-based mRNA delivery method could be applied to other diseases as well, including certain types of cancer. More on HIV: Religious Conservatives Trying to End Insurance Coverage of Incredibly Effective Anti-HIV Drug
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pharmacy benefit managers wield significant influence over patient care, costs
Multiple Republican-led states have sued to rescind a federal rule keeping the records of those who sought legal reproductive care private, while a federal judge in Texas is questioning the constitutionality of the federal HIPAA law in its entirety. (Photo by) As a physician, I have witnessed firsthand the inefficiencies in our health care system that make it harder for patients to access the care they need. One of these complexities patients now have to navigate is a growing industry of insurance middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), whose practices meddling in our local health system increase health care costs and block access to critical medications. PBMs work between health insurance companies and drug manufacturers to negotiate lower drug prices for the health plans they represent. Their function and influence in the health care industry have evolved significantly, and today, PBMs operate with very little oversight or transparency and their decisions are often based on what is most profitable for a health plan rather than what is best for a patient. PBMs wield significant influence over what treatments patients can access and how much they will be required to pay. These middlemen receive significant rebates and discounts from pharmaceutical manufacturers for the cost of medications and treatments after negotiations, but they don't pass those savings on to patients receiving the care, increasing what patients are required to pay out of pocket when they pick up their medication at the pharmacy counter. PBMs can also require only certain drugs be covered by a health plan, impose arbitrary rules around access to provider-prescribed medications, and PBM revenue is often directly linked to the list price of a medicine, so PBMs are incentivized to recommend treatments that would yield the most profit. The three largest PBMs – CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx – manage nearly 80% of prescription drug claims for 270 million people across the country. To make matters worse, PBMs are increasingly integrating and consolidating with other health care services, including distributors and pharmacies, making the influence PBMs hold over the health care system even larger. As these for-profit entities merge and collaborate, it's unclear if the system is actually functioning in the best interest of patients regarding quality and cost of care. PBMs have flown under the radar for far too long, but scrutiny of these middlemen and their impact on our health care system has rightfully grown in recent years, with many federal and state policymakers and regulators calling attention to the outsized role PBMs play in driving up health care costs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that PBM integration with chain pharmacies and insurers has allowed them to dominate the broader health system and that PBMs have significant control over what drugs are available to patients and how much they are required to pay. The FTC even filed suit against the three of the nation's largest PBMs, citing their anticompetitive tactics as a barrier to health care access. In addition, numerous investigations found that PBMs often act in their own financial interest, including pushing patients toward drugs with higher out-of-pocket costs because it's more profitable for the PBM. Access to consistent treatments is necessary for Louisiana patients, particularly those living with chronic health conditions or hard-to-treat illnesses such as cancer. Each year, more than 25,000 Louisianans receive a new cancer diagnosis. Alleviating access and financial barriers to care is a necessary step to improving health outcomes for patients. It is overwhelmingly clear that we must take action to reform PBM practices to improve access to care for patients and stop letting middlemen meddle in our health system. There has never been a time when we can do more for patients as doctors, but at the same time, there has never been a time when we have more complexities in the health care systems impede healthcare access and affordability. This 'profit over patients' business model is putting critical care out of reach for many Louisiana patients. Time is overdue to curb harmful PBM practices.
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Americans lose it over these tiny everyday annoyances
Simply spotting a nemesis, loud chewing and heavy breathing are some of the smallest things that will push Americans over the edge, according to new research. A survey asked 2,000 adults about their lowest common denominator of stress and revealed that the smallest sounds or acts are enough to send their anxiety skyrocketing. Lagging WiFi (40%) and an unexpected phone call (35%) also ranked high on the list. Americans outlined some of the weirdest causes of stress: "the texture of my socks," "aluminum cans," "not washing my hair for two days" and "the beeping sound on TV to hide swearing" were among the most unique. To pile on, just thinking about how expensive everything has gotten (47%), running late when stuck in traffic (40%) and simple miscommunications (39%) are common stressful situations. Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of CBDfx, results also revealed what Americans do when they need to mellow out. Many turn to music (58%), deep breathing and meditation (34%) or pet cuddles (32%). In fact, Americans would rather hear their favorite artist or band over their partner (46% vs 34%) when they need to de-stress. The average American has stuck to their unwinding method for over a decade, which may be because 84% find these approaches effective. The survey, which polled respondents who have all tried CBD or THC before, also found that 20% take CBD gummies and 30% use THC products on a daily basis in order to combat their stress. And it's working: Users find that their stress levels are decreased by an average of 54% after taking a CBD gummy, while THC users find they drop by more than two-thirds (68%). Nearly three in five (58%) respondents believe that there's less stigma surrounding CBD and THC products today, compared to 10 years ago. But compared to just five years ago, two-thirds (67%) find themselves getting stressed easier. This may be why another two-thirds (67%) agree that Americans would be less stressed out if they all indulged in some CBD or THC. "One of the benefits of CBD's interaction with the body's endocannabinoid system is a calming effect that works great for dialing down stress," said Jameson Rodgers, CBDfx Co-Founder. "THC can have similar positive effects-enhanced by the compound's natural mood elevation benefits-making it another great choice for stress relief." Seventy-three percent of Americans say that stress has an impact on their quality of life and an even larger number (77%) said it has an impact on their quality of sleep. In fact, only 20% of Americans admit they don't look at their phone past a certain time each night and even fewer (11%) avoid looking at it before a certain time in the morning. To combat this, the average respondent takes CBD gummies an average of three nights a week, while 16% say it's a nightly occurrence. They also average using THC products four nights each week, with 29% doing so nightly. "Over time, lack of sleep can have a negative effect on many areas of a person's overall health, including stress. When you're tired, stress can be more difficult to manage and, potentially, can do more long-term damage," said Rodgers. "CBD sleep products can be an effective natural sleep aid. Those same calming effects that make CBD great for stress relief also make it an effective base ingredient for sleep aids, along with compounds like CBN (cannabinol), melatonin, chamomile, and other natural ingredients. THC works well with those same natural sleep ingredients, helping to elevate one's mood and help them relax before bedtime." TOP 10 SMALLEST THINGS/SOUNDS THAT CAUSE AMERICANS STRESS When I see someone that I don't want to talk to - 46%A knock on the front door when I'm not prepared for guests - 44%People talking to me when I want silence - 43%When my Wi-Fi is lagging or cuts out - 40%Listening to someone chewing loudly - 40%Phone calls when I'm not expecting one - 34%Someone near me heavy breathing - 25%My alarm clock/alarm - 21%Text message alerts - 16%My phone/notifications going off during a meeting - 15% Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who've ever tried CBD or THC; the survey was commissioned by CBDfx and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 30 and May 8, 2025. We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are: Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan. Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value. Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post Americans lose it over these tiny everyday annoyances appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
