Easy as CBD: A cannabidiol primer for mental health professionals.

Abstract

Americans spent $4.17 billion on cannabidiol (CBD) in 2021 and survey research indicated 60% of adults had consumed CBD, often to address pain, poor sleep, stress, anxiety, and general well-being. One survey found 90% of medical professionals reported patients mentioned CBD or asked about its efficacy, safety, or legality, and most shared they were not familiar enough with CBD to answer patients' inquiries. Many mental health professionals may also be at a loss when discussing CBD in the practice setting. CBD advertising claims are often exaggerated, its legality varies across jurisdictions, and CBD research is typically conducted using animal models or intended for professionals with neurology expertise. Locating trustworthy and easily digestible CBD research is a challenge, and so the ability to share CBD knowledge with clients is even more limited. To address these needs, we provide a primer developed specifically for nonmedically trained mental health professionals in which we report on CBD's history and contemporary context, takeaways from updated CBD human participant research, and its potential risks and benefits. Research does not show consistent, strong support for CBD as treatment for anxiety, although some favor its therapeutic use for trauma-related, substance use, and psychotic disorders. In light of dubious findings, we recommend mental health professionals encourage clients practice awareness to understand risks, such as medication interactions and consequences of mislabeling, and the strength of evidence supporting CBD as therapeutic for various conditions. We also encourage rigorous human subjects research with large, generalizable sample sizes. Public Significance StatementDespite cannabidiol's (CBD) growing popularity, many mental health professionals are at a loss when seeking CBD psychology-focused research and evidence-informed practice guidance. This succinct research review presents professionals with the history and contemporary context of CBD use, including its research base, potential risks and benefits, and practice implications on a "need-to-know" basis.