A rapid review found emerging evidence supporting CBD as a potential harm reduction strategy for people with problematic substance use, though more research is needed.
Harm reduction workers, addiction medicine specialists, public health policymakers, and people who use drugs.
Novel harm reductionEmerging evidence supports CBD as a potential harm reduction strategy for problematic substance use
What the researchers found
Emerging evidence suggests CBD may have utility as a harm reduction modality for people with problematic substance use, with potential applications in reducing cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and substance use across multiple drug categories.
Why it matters
The drug poisoning crisis across North America demands novel harm reduction approaches, and CBD represents an accessible, low-risk intervention that could complement existing strategies.
The numbers in context
The rapid review synthesized available evidence on CBDs potential as a harm reduction strategy during the North American drug poisoning crisis.
How the study worked
Rapid review synthesizing evidence on CBD as a harm reduction modality for problematic substance use.
Who was studied
People who use drugs with problematic substance use patterns.
What this study cannot tell us
Rapid review format may miss relevant studies; evidence base is still small; most studies are preliminary; CBD product quality and dosing vary widely.
How to read the evidence
Rapid review of emerging evidence; most underlying studies are preliminary, limiting confidence.
When this study was published
Recent review responding to the ongoing drug poisoning crisis.
The bigger picture
Positioning CBD within harm reduction frameworks represents a pragmatic approach that meets people where they are, rather than requiring abstinence as a precondition for support.
Replication
Emerging field; rapid review format provides initial synthesis of a growing evidence base.
Funding
Not specified
Conflicts of interest
Not specified
Questions still open
- Which substances does CBD show most promise for?
- What CBD doses and formulations are most effective for harm reduction?
- How do harm reduction organizations view CBDs role?
Read the original research
Cannabidiol as a Harm Reduction Strategy for People Who Use Drugs: A Rapid Review.
Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 68(8), 557-571
Citation
Lo, Lindsay A; MacCallum, Caroline A; Nanson, Kate; Koehn, Michael; Mitchell, Ian; Milloy, Michael-John; Walsh, Zach; Fehr, Florriann. (2023). Cannabidiol as a Harm Reduction Strategy for People Who Use Drugs: A Rapid Review.. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, 68(8), 557-571. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437231183525