CBD Oil Trends
CBD products – gummies, edibles, oils, and other products that contain marijuana or hemp derived cannabidiol oil – are gaining traction as an alternative medication for alleviating many different conditions. Some states have legalized CBD, while others still have not. Some users buy products across state lines. But overall, very little research has been done to really look at who uses CBD oils, what they use it for, and what types of CBD products are most often used. HelloMD, a medicinal cannabis community, commissioned a study from the Brightfield Group to try and better understand the opaque market of CBD.
Of the survey respondents, 86% lived in California. The largest age group turned out not to be young adults, as some would assume, but those between ages 35 and 49 (roughly one third). Hemp-only users tend to skew slightly older, while younger users are less likely to use a hemp-only product.
The Difference Between THC and CBD
One common misconception about CBD is that it will induce the same euphoric “high” that smoking or ingesting marijuana will. CBD-only oils do not have this effect. Some CBD oils are derived from the marijuana plant and can cause this sort of euphoria, but legislators tend to lump all products together whether the CBD is derived from marijuana or hemp. They will then refuse to legalize any of the products.
Who Uses CBD Oil?
Women are much more likely than men to use CBD; almost 60% of CBD-only users are women. 80% of people use CBD oil once a week. They tend to vape the product more than any other method.
What Is CBD Commonly Used For?
CBD is used to treat many different ailments, but the most common are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Joint pain
- Insomnia
Of those who use CBD for these health concerns, more than 40% have stopped using all traditional prescribed pharmaceuticals for their conditions and now use primarily CBD products. 80% of these users found CBD to be a very effective or effective treatment. Only about 10% use CBD products exclusively, however; most people combine CBD with over-the-counter treatments like Tylenol, or other natural and herbal remedies. About one-third of users combine CBD with prescription pain medication, anxiety medication, or insomnia medication.
What Types of CBD Do Users Prefer?
Many of the CBD products used are marijuana-derived and contain THC. These products tend to contain such low amounts of THC that users still do not experience a high from the product. In fact, many of the survey respondents said that they use CBD to get the benefits of the chemical while avoiding the high of marijuana.
It’s important to note that many CBD users – around 10% – don’t know whether their products are hemp or marijuana-derived and whether they contain THC or not. Clearer labeling may be required to help users identify which products they’re using.
This study begins to shed light on the CBD market, which can only help as the movement to legalize marijuana for medical purposes continues to gain momentum. By understanding who is using CBD and what kind of CBD they are using, advocates can push legislators to create laws and standards that reflect the community of users and protect those who are responsibly using CBD oils.
We can also begin to get a better idea of what health conditions CBD is an effective treatment for, and who is most likely to be helped by CBD. For example, knowing that more women use CBD than men can imply many different possibilities: CBD might be more effective for women than for men, or usage may be a sign of how women’s pain is more readily dismissed by doctors, leaving women searching for alternate options.
The more we study CBD, the more we understand these different factors. If you have questions about CBD, or which formulations would be best for you, please contact us. We’ll help you find the right solution.
