A recent study from the University of Bath in the UK suggests that CBD products marketed for chronic pain relief may not be effective and could potentially be harmful. Researchers found no evidence supporting CBD’s efficacy in treating chronic pain and even labeled such products as “a waste of money.” CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant.
CBD medications not effective for chronic pain management
The recent study led by Professor Chris Eccleston from the Centre for Pain Research at Bath found no substantial evidence supporting claims that CBD alleviates pain, despite previous suggestions of its potential health benefits. Eccleston highlighted the lack of quality evidence backing CBD as a cure-all for pain, expressing concern over the promotion of false hope to chronic pain patients.
Researchers from the Universities of Bath, Oxford, and Alberta conducted a review of scientific journal articles on CBD’s efficacy for pain relief. Published in The Journal of Pain, their findings highlight concerns regarding the quality of CBD products accessible to the public. The team from Bath emphasizes that in the U.K., only medical marijuana, which contains CBD, requires regulatory approval. This is typically used to alleviate symptoms of epilepsy, chemotherapy side effects, and multiple sclerosis pain.
Non-medical CBD products are accessible in the US, UK, and Europe. They lack trade standards, allowing manufacturers to evade quality control. Online CBD products often contain less CBD than advertised.
CBD becoming popular for chronic pain management
Dr. Andrew Moore, a former senior pain researcher at the University of Oxford, suggests that many individuals suffering from chronic pain resort to CBD due to the lack of effective medications. However, he warns that the promises surrounding CBD can be misleading. The study authors express concern that regulators are hesitant to address these misleading claims due to the growing cannabis market, which generated $3 billion globally in 2021.
Dr. Moore emphasizes the absence of consumer protections regarding CBD products. He warns that without regulatory oversight, CBD sellers will continue to make unsubstantiated claims about the pain-relieving properties of CBD.
