6 Benefits And Uses Of CBD Oil (Plus Side Effects) - Healthline

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Evidence BasedThe Health Benefits of CBD — and a Look at Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Felecia Dawson, MD — Written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Updated on August 28, 2025

Pain relief
Mental health
Sleep
Heart health
Cancer symptom relief
Neuroprotection
More
Considerations
FAQs
Bottom line

The Fast Facts

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a popular natural remedy for many health concerns and ailments. Some research is promising, but more is needed to fully understand how it affects various health conditions.
Potential CBD benefits include pain relief and relaxation without any mind-altering effects.
It’s important to talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional to make sure CBD won’t interfere with other medications you’re taking.

Unlike Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main cannabinoid found in cannabis, CBD does not cause intoxication. It may have several health benefits.

May relieve pain

CBD may be effective for reducing certain types of pain associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia. Still, more research is needed to investigate its potential use in pain management.

Cannabis has been used to treat pain since 2900 B.C., with use originating in Chinese medicine. Researchers believe that components like CBD may be responsible for these effects.

The endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating functions like pain sensation. The body produces neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors.

Studies show that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by targeting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters. Preclinical evidence also suggests that it may be effective for rheumatic diseases like fibromyalgia, according to research from 2021.

»Our product picks:4 Best CBD Creams for Pain Relief: Tested and Reviewed

Could reduce anxiety symptoms and benefit mental health

A 2020 literature review on CBD and mood disorders found that multiple studies suggest CBD has properties that may help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even psychosis.

A small 2019 study also found that CBD was effective in reducing PTSD-related symptoms, including nightmares, in adults.

That said, the available research has not been sufficient for doctors to recommend CBD as an actual treatment for such conditions.

»Our product picksBest CBD Oils for Anxiety in 2025

May improve sleep onset and quality

CBD may lead to better sleep — and it doesn’t take much. For example, a 2024 study found that 15 mg of CBD was just as effective for improving sleep quality as 5 mg of melatonin. For reference, most CBD products range from 10 to 100 mg of CBD per serving.

Anecdotally, Healthline CBD testers have found CBD helpful for falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer — usually by slowing racing thoughts or downplaying pain that tends to hinder sleep.

Some testers with more chronic sleep issues, like sleep apnea, haven’t found it as helpful.

A 2020 review of existing research is aligned. While it concluded that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to say that CBD can treat sleep conditions like sleep apnea, insomnia, or post-traumatic stress disorder-related nightmares, researchers found enough preliminary evidence to warrant future research.

More recently, a review from 2023 looked at all studies related to CBD and insomnia specifically and found that CBD could alleviate insomnia symptoms. Still, more research was recommended.

»Our product picks:7 CBD Products That Improved Our Sleep

May benefit heart health

High blood pressure is linked to higher risks of several health conditions, including stroke, heart attack, and metabolic syndrome.

Research indicates that CBD may be beneficial for people with high blood pressure because it can influence the contractions of the heart muscle and help widen blood vessels.

For example, one study from 2020 that included 26 healthy men found that treatment with 600 milligrams of CBD for 7 days led to significant reductions in blood pressure in the short term compared with a placebo group. However, the effect was lost after 7 days.

While these findings are encouraging, more research is needed into the potential benefits of CBD treatment for heart health.

May alleviate certain cancer-related symptoms

CBD may help reduce some cancer-related symptoms and side effects related to cancer treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain, according to research published in 2022.

However, more research is needed to determine whether CBD should be used more regularly in cancer symptom management.

May have neuroprotective properties

CBD may provide benefits for those with neurological disorders. A 2022 study suggests that nabiximols (Sativex) spray containing both CBD and THC may help reduce pain and muscle spasticity in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Research from 2017 indicated that CBD helped reduce seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome, but it also caused some adverse reactions in those who were on other antiepileptic medications.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one CBD product, Epidiolex, for the treatment of several seizure disorders and seizures caused by tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). TSC is a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and other body areas.

There’s also some limited evidence that CBD may also be effective in improving the symptoms of other neurological conditions, such as:

Parkinson’s disease
Huntington’s disease
autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
motor disorders like cerebral palsy

Other potential CBD benefits

CBD has been studied for its role in treating a number of health issues other than those outlined above.

Though more research is needed, CBD is thought to potentially provide the following health benefits:

Substance use treatment: CBD may be helpful for relieving anxiety and depression in people who have a dependence on certain drugs, including heroin, per preclinical evidence.
Possible extension of life in those with glioblastoma: Treatment with a combination of CBD and THC may help extend the life of some people with an aggressive form of cancer called glioblastoma, yet research is limited.

What are the side effects of CBD?

CBD is considered generally safe, but it may cause adverse reactions like diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight, and fatigue in some people.

Other side effects, including abnormal liver function test results, drowsiness, sedation, and pneumonia, have been reported in childhood epilepsy research.

But these effects could stem from CBD interacting with other medications, such as clobazam, as it can interact with various drugs. It’s always a good idea to speak with a qualified healthcare professional about the right dosing for you and your risk of experiencing side effects.

Low quality CBD products are common in the marketplace, so it’s important to choose products that have been third-party tested for quality and purity.

Cornbread Hemp and Medterra are two examples of brands that sell CBD products that undergo testing by accredited third-party laboratories and offer batch reports on their websites.

Frequently asked questions about CBD benefits

Is CBD good for joint pain?

According to preclinical evidence from studies, CBD may benefit pain and inflammation related to arthritis, but human studies are lacking.

What happens if I take CBD every day?

CBD may become more effective with continued use. However, your body may also become more tolerant to CBD with daily use, requiring you to take a higher dose to feel the effects.

How long does CBD take to work?

Most people feel the effects within an hour when taking CBD sublingually, but this can vary from person to person. It can take longer to feel the effects when using CBD ingestibles like gummies — up to 2 hours. Topical CBD can produce results anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

The bottom line

CBD may help ease symptoms of anxiety, neurological disorders, heart health issues, and certain types of pain, among other health conditions.

That said, while some study findings are available, more research is necessary to draw conclusions. Research is still ongoing.

Since the potential uses of CBD are still not entirely determined, it’s a good idea to speak with a qualified healthcare professional before trying it.

Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Medically reviewed by Felecia Dawson, MD — Written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Updated on August 28, 2025

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