In an anonymous survey, chronic pain sufferers using CBD isolate reported decreased pain even at low doses, with most noting no side effects.
Chronic pain patients considering CBD and researchers designing future CBD pain trials.
Survey respondents reported pain relief from CBD isolate even at doses under 100 mg
What the researchers found
Survey respondents using CBD isolate for chronic pain reported positive associations between CBD use and decreased chronic pain, even at doses under 100 mg. The majority reported no side effects, and no severe side effects were noted among any respondents.
Why it matters
With up to 50 million U.S. adults affected by chronic pain and the ongoing opioid crisis, understanding how CBD users perceive its benefits and risks provides a starting point for more rigorous research.
The numbers in context
Positive association between CBD use and decreased chronic pain reported even at doses below 100 mg. Majority of respondents reported no side effects. No severe side effects reported by any participant.
How the study worked
Anonymous online Qualtrics survey posted publicly and in multiple medical clinics. Assessed CBD isolate use, perceived effectiveness, dosage, frequency, and side effects among adults with chronic pain.
What this study cannot tell us
Anonymous survey with no verification of CBD use, diagnoses, or outcomes. Self-selection bias: people satisfied with CBD are more likely to respond. No placebo comparison. CBD isolate products vary widely in actual content and quality.
How to read the evidence
Anonymous self-report survey with no controls, verification, or standardized outcome measures. Subject to significant selection and reporting biases.
When this study was published
2025 publication.
The bigger picture
User surveys consistently show high satisfaction with CBD for pain, but placebo-controlled trials have produced mixed results. The gap between user perception and clinical evidence remains a key challenge for the field.
Questions still open
- Would placebo-controlled trials confirm the low-dose efficacy reported by survey respondents?
- How does CBD isolate compare to full-spectrum CBD products for pain management?
Read the original research
A Survey on the Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) Isolate, Its Perceived Benefits, and Associated Side Effects Among Subjects With Chronic Pain.
Cureus, 17(3), e80198
Citation
Huang, Austin; Stolzenberg, Laurence; Usman, Mohammad; Awan, Muhammad; Bruner, Paul; MacGregor, Gordon. (2025). A Survey on the Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) Isolate, Its Perceived Benefits, and Associated Side Effects Among Subjects With Chronic Pain.. Cureus, 17(3), e80198. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.80198
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