An umbrella review of 22 systematic reviews found CBD monotherapy is not effective for substance use disorders, but nabiximols (CBD+THC) shows positive effects on cannabis withdrawal and craving.
Addiction medicine specialists, patients seeking CBD for substance use, clinical researchers designing cannabinoid trials.
CBD alone: not efficacious for any SUD
What the researchers found
From 22 systematic reviews (5 with meta-analysis), CBD monotherapy does not appear efficacious for treating substance use disorders including cannabis, tobacco, alcohol, and opioid use. However, nabiximols (CBD+THC combination) demonstrated positive effects on cannabis withdrawal and craving symptoms. Evidence for CBD alone is limited and inconclusive for all addiction-related outcomes.
Why it matters
Despite widespread claims that CBD can help addiction, this highest level of evidence synthesis shows CBD alone does not work for this purpose. The finding that CBD needs to be combined with THC to help cannabis withdrawal specifically has direct implications for treatment guidelines and product development.
The numbers in context
22 systematic reviews included. 5 included meta-analyses. CBD alone: not efficacious for any SUD. Nabiximols (CBD+THC): positive for cannabis withdrawal and craving. Evidence for alcohol, tobacco, opioids: limited and inconclusive.
How the study worked
Umbrella review (review of reviews) following registered protocol, searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Epistemonikos for systematic reviews of RCTs on CBD and/or THC for substance use disorders, published 2000-October 2024. 22 systematic reviews included. Quality assessed with AMSTAR 2 tool by two independent researchers.
What this study cannot tell us
Quality of included systematic reviews varied. Many underlying RCTs had small samples. Different CBD formulations, doses, and durations across studies limit comparison. The field is evolving rapidly and newer trials may change conclusions. Nabiximols findings may not generalize to non-pharmaceutical CBD+THC products.
How to read the evidence
Strong: umbrella review (highest evidence synthesis level) of 22 systematic reviews with quality assessment.
When this study was published
2025 study
The bigger picture
The CBD industry frequently markets products for addiction and craving reduction, but this umbrella review shows the evidence does not support CBD monotherapy for any substance use disorder. The specificity of the nabiximols finding, helping with cannabis withdrawal specifically, suggests the mechanism involves both cannabinoid receptors working together rather than CBD alone.
Questions still open
- Why does CBD need THC to help with cannabis withdrawal? Would higher CBD doses show efficacy that lower doses missed? Could nabiximols help with withdrawal from substances other than cannabis?
Common questions
Can CBD help with addiction?
Why does CBD not work alone for addiction?
Read the original research
Efficacy of cannabidiol alone or in combination with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for the management of substance use disorders: An umbrella review of the evidence.
Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(5), 813-834
Citation
Redonnet, Bertrand; Eren, Filiz; Avenin, Guillaume; Melchior, Maria; Mary-Krause, Murielle. (2025). Efficacy of cannabidiol alone or in combination with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for the management of substance use disorders: An umbrella review of the evidence.. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(5), 813-834. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16745
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