Survey Reveals Who Uses CBD for Self-Medication in Germany and Why | Research

The takeaway

A German survey of 702 regular CBD users found 38% use it primarily for self-medication, most commonly for sleep (52%), chronic pain (47%), depression (46%), and anxiety (44%), with older and unemployed individuals most likely to self-medicate.

Healthcare providers, public health researchers, and CBD regulators.

52% of CBD self-medicators cited sleep problems

What the researchers found

37.9% used CBD for self-medication. Top motives: sleep (52.3%), chronic pain (47.4%), depression (45.5%), anxiety (44.4%). Age 50+ aOR 2.81. Unemployed/retired aOR 3.55. Twice-daily aOR 3.05. Smoking CBD was negatively associated with self-medication.

Why it matters

CBD is marketed with health claims despite limited clinical evidence. Understanding who self-medicates and why reveals unmet medical needs and potential risks of unsupervised use.

The numbers in context

702 participants; 78.8% male; mean age 34.9; 37.9% self-medicating; sleep 52.3%; age 50+ aOR 2.81; unemployed aOR 3.55.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional online survey (Jan-Mar 2023) in Germany. 702 complete cases. Monthly CBD use required. Logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios.

What this study cannot tell us

Convenience sampling. Predominantly male (78.8%). Self-reported. German market may differ.

How to read the evidence

Large survey with detailed analysis, but convenience sampling limits generalizability.

When this study was published

2025 publication of 2023 survey data from Germany.

The bigger picture

The profile of CBD self-medicators (older, unemployed, chronic conditions) suggests a population potentially substituting CBD for conventional treatments.

Questions still open

Are CBD self-medicators getting adequate treatment?
Would clinical trials support CBD for the reported uses?

Common questions

What do people use CBD for?

Sleep (52%), chronic pain (47%), depression (46%), and anxiety (44%) were the top self-medication motives.

Who self-medicates with CBD?

Older adults (50+), unemployed/retired, and twice-daily users were significantly more likely to self-medicate.

Read the original research

Beyond the hype - who uses cannabidiol for self-medication - and why: a cross-sectional study in Germany.

Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 77

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Krowartz, Eva-Maria; Riemerschmid, Carlotta; Klug, Stefanie J; Tanaka, Luana F; Eva-Hoch. (2025). Beyond the hype - who uses cannabidiol for self-medication - and why: a cross-sectional study in Germany.. Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00341-4