Cannabidiol, or CBD, is extracted from the cannabis plant and is currently being extensively studied for potential health benefits.
In the UK, CBD products are legal if they contain less than 0.2% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the compound in cannabis that causes a high and can be addictive.
CBD products don’t cause a high and aren’t addictive, and research suggests that there are potential CBD benefits for some medical conditions. The evidence supporting the benefits of CBD is stronger in some areas than in others and we will go through each potential benefit and discuss the strength of the research and evidence supporting it.
1. Seizure reduction and epilepsy
There has been much research into the benefits of CBD for managing seizures in people with some forms of epilepsy. The results from these studies appear to show positive results, with one study concluding that cannabidiol “reduced the frequency of convulsive seizures among children and young adults with Dravet syndrome”.
Dravet syndrome is a rare condition that causes epileptic seizures that are difficult to treat with standard medications.
Clinical studies continue to show the benefits of cannabidiol CBD for managing seizures.
In the UK, a cannabidiol-based medication called Epidyolex is licensed for treating some forms of epilepsy.
Epidyolex contains a highly purified form of CBD and can be prescribed on the NHS for some adults and children over two years old with Dravet syndrome and another rare but severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, when other medications have been ineffective or are unsuitable.
Such medicinal pure CBD products are also referred to as medical cannabis. However, despite the name, Epidyolex only contains CBD with trace levels of THC. It doesn’t contain enough THC to cause a high or any psychoactive effect like cannabis products and marijuana do.
2. Anxiety reduction
Serotonin is a chemical messenger found in the human body that regulates various functions, including sleep, appetite, learning and mood. Known as a feel-good hormone, serotonin at normal levels generally keeps us feeling focused, happy and calm. A low level of serotonin is linked to anxiety and depression.
Studies have found that CBD may help alleviate anxiety by binding to serotonin receptors, thereby keeping them active, which allows brain cells to have more serotonin available to them. This results in an improvement in mood and a decrease in feelings of anxiety and worry.
Medications prescribed to patients experiencing anxiety, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, work by directly blocking the reuptake of serotonin, effectively increasing the availability of serotonin to the brain.
It appears that CBD has the same effect, albeit indirectly, by increasing levels of another chemical, called anandamide. The exact mechanism by which this works is still under debate, and ongoing studies continue to investigate.
3. Chronic pain relief and pain management support
CBD is one of over 120 cannabinoids extracted from hemp or cannabis plants and is believed to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors that spans the brain and the entire body, helping to maintain balance.
This so-called homeostasis is crucial in maintaining the delicate equilibrium of everything from body temperature and sleep patterns to appetite, mood control and how we perceive and manage chronic pain and stress.
Naturally occurring compounds in the body called endocannabinoids act like messengers and attach to specific cannabinoid receptors of the ECS, signalling it to take action. For example, to respond to fever or inflammation.
Evidence is emerging that CBD may help some patients reduce chronic pain. CBD is a type of cannabinoid that can target the cannabinoid receptors of the ECS (either in the same way as naturally occurring endocannabinoids, or in a different way - more research is needed to fully understand how CBD interacts with the ECS).
It’s thought that in doing so, CBD reduces inflammation and, interestingly, reduces chronic pain perception. Anecdotally, CBD users report positive results when using CBD for pain relief.
More high-quality human studies are needed on CBD benefits for chronic pain management.
4. Sleep quality improvement
While CBD may not necessarily make you feel sleepy, there is some evidence to suggest that it can help promote better sleep.
Anecdotally, in a survey for Healthline, approved CBD testers reported that using CBD helped them fall asleep faster and, crucially, stay asleep for longer. Testers noted that taking CBD helped them quiet their minds and reduce racing thoughts, as well as reduce pain - problems that can affect sleep.
In terms of research, in 2020, a review concluded that there wasn’t sufficient evidence that CBD had significant efficacy in treating insomnia or any other sleep-related conditions, such as sleep apnoea or nightmares caused by PTSD. However, it did find sufficient preliminary evidence to recommend further studies.
A review in 2023 found that CBD may help reduce insomnia by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, but more research is needed.
5. Blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular support
Research on the benefits of CBD for heart health is limited. However, some studies have shown promising early signs that it may be beneficial for individuals with high blood pressure.
One study found that this may be because CBD helps widen blood vessels and maintain a regular heartbeat, thereby preventing blockages and regulating blood pressure.
Another, albeit very small, study discovered that one (high) dose of CBD could reduce blood pressure, even after inducing stress in a clinical environment. Promising, but further studies are needed to confirm the benefits of CBD for blood pressure and overall heart health.
6. Neuroprotective effects and cognitive function support
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease are both types of neurological disease with separate, distinct symptoms, but both can lead to an impairment of cognitive function.
Research into the prevention and management of both diseases is extensive and has sparked the interest of researchers examining the CBD benefits for such conditions. This is due to the ability of CBD to interact with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system that may help manage neurological diseases.
In the UK, a CBD and THC oral spray called Sativex is approved for MS patients who have moderate to severe muscle spasms and nerve pain. Research continues into the effectiveness of products containing CBD to be used as a long-term treatment for both.
7. Mental wellbeing
We’ve discussed in this article on CBD benefits, the potential for CBD to manage conditions such as poor sleep, chronic pain, anxiety and depression.
Studies and clinical trials continue to investigate the efficacy of CBD for supporting good mental health.
It may, however, be hypothesised that if CBD can support aspects such as insomnia and chronic pain management, it may also have a positive and supportive effect on mental and emotional well-being.
8. Anti‑inflammatory effects
Inflammation is a good thing. The inflammatory response is part of the immune system’s response, which is triggered if the immune system encounters a pathogenic bacterium or virus, or a foreign body, such as a splinter in the finger.
However, such short-term inflammation can become long-term, or chronic, if we become unwell, are under a lot of stress, or consume a generally unhealthy diet.
Living a 21st-century lifestyle often means that chronic inflammation is a standard part of life. But evidence from animal studies suggests that CBD may help regulate inflammation by interacting with the ECS, triggering the reduction of inflammation-promoting chemicals known as pro-inflammatory cytokines.
More research is needed to conclusively determine the CBD benefits for keeping inflammation at healthy levels. Particularly so, robust human studies, as chronic inflammation underpins many chronic lifestyle diseases.
9. Stress relief
As we discussed above, when looking at the potential CBD benefits for anxiety and depression, much of the literature supporting CBD for stress relief also seems to link this benefit to serotonin.
Serotonin helps improve mood, but it’s also important in regulating our stress response. If CBD can bind to serotonin receptors and increase the level of serotonin available to the brain, it may also mean that we’re better able to cope with stress. Again, studies continue.
There are also preliminary findings that CBD influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a system that manages the stress response. Theoretically, CBD may reduce activity in the HPA (which can become overactive during stress, causing physical symptoms such as sweating, tenseness and a rapid heart rate), reducing stress levels.
10. Appetite regulation
THC found in cannabis is renowned for increasing appetite by causing the “munchies” due to its psychoactive effects. However, the impact of CBD on hunger and changes in appetite remains a topic of debate. No definitive human studies currently exist that have found robust conclusions on the relationship between CBD and appetite regulation.
Preliminary evidence suggests CBD may suppress appetite, but whether it does or not seems to be determined by the reason an individual isn’t eating or feeling hungry. For example, a 2011 review of studies found that most people using CBD reported a reduction in appetite. But anecdotal evidence suggests that individuals experiencing reduced hunger due to chronic pain, nausea or vomiting report an increased appetite.
11. Muscle recovery support
When we exercise, we put strain on our muscles, causing minute tears in the muscle fibres, meaning that we invariably feel pain in our muscles the day after. This is often referred to as DOMS, or delayed onset muscle soreness. The body then triggers the inflammatory response to repair these tiny tears using muscle cells, and in doing so, slowly increases our muscle mass, size and strength.
An important part of exercising is recovery - the sooner our muscles recover, the sooner (and more efficiently) we can exercise again.
As we learned above, there is preliminary evidence that CBD helps reduce inflammation. Since the muscle repair process is triggered by the inflammatory response (and an increase in inflammation), it follows that taking CBD helps to reduce inflammation and speed up muscle recovery. However, the evidence to support this doesn’t yet exist, and more research is needed.
12. Acne and skin condition
It’s a common misconception that acne and skin problems are caused by eating chocolate and oily food and having dirty skin. However, this isn’t entirely true. Acne and other skin conditions are often caused by a combination of genetics and inflammation.
While eating a poor diet high in ultra-processed foods will add to problem skin (due to sugary, high-fat foods increasing inflammation levels in the body), and not cleansing the skin every day to remove makeup, grime, and excess oil can exacerbate skin problems, managing inflammation can help get to the root cause of acne.
Similar to the link between CBD, its potential anti-inflammatory properties and muscle recovery, there are no robust clinical trials that find conclusive evidence that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help manage acne and other skin conditions.
One promising study did conclude that “CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne”, either taken orally as a CBD oil or used as a topical CBD product applied to the skin. However, this study was conducted on human skin cells in vitro (in the lab), rather than on human subjects. Again, more research is needed.
13. Metabolic balance
Metabolism is the process by which the human body converts food into energy. It’s a complex set of chemical reactions that utilise food to fuel bodily functions such as digestion and breathing, and to provide energy to cells to carry out their functions.
Having a healthy metabolism means that you can more easily maintain a healthy weight. Having a slow or sluggish metabolism may increase your risk of being overweight or obese.
Metabolic syndrome is a term that doctors and healthcare providers use to describe a range of medical conditions associated with being overweight or obese, including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
As we discussed above, CBD may help reduce appetite, which can naturally lead us to conclude that CBD helps with weight management. But to date, there are no studies to prove or disprove this assumption.
Recent animal studies have found that CBD may help counteract the overactive endocannabinoid system receptors commonly associated with metabolic syndrome, and human studies are required.
14. Migraine relief
There are very few studies that have looked specifically at the CBD benefits for migraine relief.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS, see above), but the mechanism by which it does this isn’t yet fully understood. Research suggests that CBD may work for pain relief by triggering the receptors of the ECS to stop metabolising, or breaking down, a chemical in the bloodstream called anandamide.
Anandamide helps the ECS regulate various factors, including mood and appetite, as well as pain perception. It’s hypothesised that if there are high levels of anandamide in the bloodstream, we’ll perceive and experience pain to a lesser degree. Studies continue.
15. Addiction and drug & alcohol dependence support
It might seem counterintuitive to use an extract of the cannabis plant to help treat drug and alcohol addictions. Still, preliminary findings from a small number of studies suggest that CBD could have a positive effect on patients with substance use disorders.
CBD isn’t addictive and doesn’t cause a high, and it’s thought that CBD may interact with the brain’s pleasure-reward system. This may cause the brain to release dopamine, a hormone that influences pleasure, motivation and mood.
If CBD could theoretically increase dopamine, it could therefore also reduce drug-seeking behaviours, according to a systematic review of papers on the subject, published in 2022. Further clinical trials and research are required to explore how effective the CBD benefits for addiction could be.
Potential risks and side effects of CBD
Products containing CBD are generally considered safe, and in the UK, certain types of CBD products are legal as long as they contain less than 0.2% THC, so they won’t get you high.
Some people do experience a few side effects when they start taking CBD, including a dry mouth, fatigue, diarrhoea and changes in appetite. Starting on smaller doses can help reduce the risk of side effects of CBD.
You can also minimise the risk of side effects from CBD if you choose from a brand that uses high-quality CBD and has its products third-party tested for purity. Products containing CBD are available in various forms, including CBD oils, tinctures, edibles (such as gummies and drinks) and skin creams.
CBD may interact with some medications (such as those prescribed for epilepsy) and supplements. If you’re taking any medicine or you’ve been diagnosed with a health condition, seek medical advice from your doctor or another healthcare professional before you buy CBD.
More information and research
Healthline has helpful information on the different types of CBD available and a general guide to understanding cannabidiol CBD. It also has an informative article on the endocannabinoid system.
Plus, here’s an interesting study into why people are using CBD for stress, anxiety and poor sleep.
References
Grinspoon, P., MD. (2024b, April 4). Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don’t. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-201808242496
Rd, J. K. M. (2025b, August 28). The health benefits of CBD — and a look at side effects. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
Raypole, C. (2025, April 28). A simple guide to the endocannabinoid system. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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