National Survey Finds CBD Users Report Benefits but Also Moderate-to-Severe Side Effects Requiring Medical Attention | Research

The takeaway

A national survey of 1,158 Americans found that CBD users generally perceived it as safe and helpful, but most who reported adverse effects rated them as moderate to severe, sometimes requiring ER visits, with social media as their primary information source.

CBD consumers, healthcare providers advising on CBD, public health educators.

Most CBD adverse effects rated moderate to severe, often needing medical attention

What the researchers found

Among 1,158 respondents (median age 43, 50% female), CBD was used for neurological disorders, pulmonary conditions, GI disorders, and chronic pain. Participants agreed CBD is safe when used responsibly for medical purposes. Social media was the main information source. However, most reported adverse effects were rated moderate to severe, requiring medical attention from a healthcare professional, hospital, or ER.

Why it matters

The gap between perceived safety and actual adverse event severity is concerning. If consumers rely primarily on social media for CBD information and believe it is generally safe, they may not recognize or seek timely care for adverse effects. This has implications for consumer education.

The numbers in context

1,158 respondents. Median age 43. 50% female. Social media was the primary CBD information source. Most adverse effects rated moderate to severe. Uses included neurological disorders, pulmonary conditions, GI disorders, chronic pain.

How the study worked

Anonymous nationwide online survey administered through Qualtrics from March to April 2021 in the United States. Assessed demographics, perceived efficacy and safety of CBD, and information sources. Descriptive statistics and Likert scale analyses.

What this study cannot tell us

Online survey with potential selection bias. Self-reported data without medical verification of conditions or adverse effects. Qualtrics panel may not be truly representative. Cannot determine CBD product quality, dose, or interaction with other substances.

How to read the evidence

Online survey with self-reported outcomes and potential selection bias, providing consumer perspective data but limited clinical evidence.

When this study was published

Published 2023, survey conducted in 2021.

The bigger picture

The CBD market has outpaced both regulation and evidence. Consumers are making decisions based largely on social media while encountering real adverse effects. The finding that anxiety was the most commonly reported safety concern is interesting given that anxiety reduction is one of the most popular reasons people use CBD.

Questions still open

Are CBD adverse effects driven by product quality issues, contamination, or drug interactions rather than CBD itself?
Would physician-guided CBD use reduce the rate of adverse effects?

Common questions

Is CBD safe?

Survey respondents generally perceived CBD as safe for medical use, but those who experienced adverse effects mostly rated them as moderate to severe, sometimes requiring ER visits.

Where do people get their CBD information?

Social media was the primary source of CBD information for survey respondents, raising concerns about the quality and accuracy of information guiding consumer decisions.

Read the original research

Consumer perception, knowledge, and uses of cannabidiol.

The mental health clinician, 13(5), 217-224

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Nguyen, Cambrey; Moeller, Karen E; McGuire, Michael; Melton, Brittany L. (2023). Consumer perception, knowledge, and uses of cannabidiol.. The mental health clinician, 13(5), 217-224. https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2023.10.217