These are the medical benefits of CBD: What you need to know about gummies and why they’re so popular
Explore CBD’s potential for seizures, Parkinson’s, and pain relief—plus a guide to top-rated, lab-tested CBD gummies for safe, informed choices.
Friday, August 8, is National CBD Day, so we took a look at the latest scientific literature on this cannabis compound to explore its potential benefits. Many people have turned to CBD as a way to manage anxiety. While researchers widely acknowledge the need for further investigation into the efficacy of cannabis for treating anxiety and other mental health disorders, preliminary studies suggest it may offer benefits for some patients.
Unlike THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high,” CBD is non-intoxicating and is being studied for its potential therapeutic effects without altering perception or cognition.
In addition, Forbes, in collaboration with Forbes Health, has compiled a guide to the CBD market. The guide is helpful for those looking to try CBD gummies, which have exploded in popularity in recent years. This includes lab-tested CBD gummies, which were evaluated for dosage accuracy and the presence of harmful pesticides and chemicals. Each product received a score to help consumers navigate the rapidly growing market, especially as more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana use.
Use of CBD to reduce seizures
In a 2018 study, researchers reviewed 11 peer-reviewed papers examining how CBD products—both extracts and purified forms—affected seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy and related conditions. Conducted in clinical settings, the studies showed a 64% improvement in patient outcomes when CBD was administered. The best results came from patients using CBD-rich extracts, with 71% reporting fewer seizures.
Improvements in mental health for some patients
One study on CBD use in patients with Parkinson’s disease evaluated its effects across three areas: motor and general symptoms, well-being and quality of life, and potential neuroprotective benefits. Participants were divided into three groups: one received a placebo, another took a 75 mg dose, and the third took 300 mg daily. While the sample sizes were too small to yield statistically significant results, quality of life scores were highest among those taking 300 mg.
“Our findings point to a possible effect of CBD in improving quality of life measures in PD patients with no psychiatric comorbidities,” the authors noted, adding that “studies with larger samples and specific objectives are required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.”
CBD and chronic pain: More evidence is needed
Despite promising results in some areas, questions remain about CBD’s effectiveness in treating chronic pain. A 2020 study was unable to confirm that CBD products consistently improve outcomes for chronic pain sufferers. Researchers also noted the difficulty of isolating CBD’s effects due to the presence of trace amounts of THC in many products. “It is also important to note that there are many CBD products currently available as supplements, but these products are non-pharmaceutical and lack the appropriate clinical studies to support their efficacy claims,” the authors argued.
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