CBD oil, which stands for cannabidiol, has taken the wellness world by storm. However, even with its popularity, what is really known about the benefits of using CBD oil? The truth: not much.

Hemp, Marijuana and CBD: Understanding the Difference

Similar to CBD oil, hemp oil is derived from the hemp plant. However, “There is a specific difference between CBD oil and hemp oil,” explains Integrative Medicine Specialist Melinda R. Ring, MD, executive director of Northwestern Medicine Osher Center for Integrative Health. “Hemp oil comes from the seeds and contains very little CBD oil. Meanwhile, CBD oil, or extract, has a variable amount extracted from the flowers or seeds.” For that reason, Dr. Ring strongly suggests reading labels carefully. 

Uses for CBD Oil

To date, the most significant research supports the use of CBD oil for those who experience seizures. Epidiolex, a CBD oral solution, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 to treat people with one of two rare forms of epilepsy — Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. Scientists believe CBD oil helps suppress seizures by slowing down messages that are sent to the brain, decreasing inflammation and changing calcium levels in brain cells.

“The benefits include a couple for very rare types of seizures,” says James G. Adams, MD, chief medical officer and senior vice president of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “But the misconception is that it’s broadly beneficial. It’s not that well researched or understood.” 

Animal studies have indicated some other potential uses for CBD oil. Research shows that dogs using CBD oil had improved symptoms for osteoarthritis in addition to improvements in other health conditions. This suggests there could be a human application for pain and inflammation treatment. “There are some possibilities suggested here,” says Dr. Ring. However, the jury is still out. More data is needed, as some research has shown mixed results. 

Other applications researched include managing anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. 

An Answer to the Opioid Epidemic? 

Due to its inhibitory effect, CBD oil may help manage triggers for cravings and anxiety in people who use heroin. “From a research perspective, there’s interesting data that needs to be confirmed,” says Dr. Ring. 

Some research has found that men and women* who previously stopped taking addictive drugs and were also using CBD oil experienced reduced cravings. In a short-term study, 42 patients taking CBD oil reported reduced cravings for up to one week after their dose of CBD. 

Dr. Ring says the findings are significant, suggesting that CBD oil could be a powerful tool in helping individuals seeking help for a substance use disorder. 

The Search for CBD Answers

There is still much to be understood about CBD oil, and Dr. Ring continues to seek additional answers. She conducted an initial study on CBD oil. “I think at this point, both professionals and patients don’t know what product to use or how often,” she explains. “I think having answers to those questions can help.”

Dr. Adams adds, “CBD is probably not that harmful, but we shouldn’t expect it to be a medicine. It’s being promoted for all kinds of purposes for which it’s never been studied.” 

It’s important to talk to your clinician before using CBD oil because it can interact with other medications you may be taking. Dr. Ring also advises looking at labels carefully and buying quality products. The lack of regulation means anything online can be easily compromised, and quality can vary widely. “Read the reviews to ensure a product has been tested, the ingredients are verified and there aren’t any contaminants,” she says.

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* Scientists do not always collect information from participants about gender identity. To avoid misrepresenting the results of this research, we use the same terminology as the study authors.