Rankings / Sleep & Recovery

CBD (cannabidiol)

Sleep & Recovery · Non-psychoactive cannabinoid

Tier C+

Reviewed by Read Off Label · Last reviewed · How we grade

anti-inflammatorycannabinoidprescriptionotc
5.4 / 10
Tier C+
Ev 4.5 Bn 3.5 Sf 7

Bottom line

Read Off Label grades CBD (cannabidiol) as C+ (5.4/10) based on weak-moderate evidence, low-moderate benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.

Consumer CBD product quality varies enormously — cannabiscore/third-party testing essential.

Typical use: 25-300 mg/day PO (supplement range); 10-20 mg/kg/day (Epidiolex) — Rx (Epidiolex); OTC.

What this is

Consumer CBD product quality varies enormously — cannabiscore/third-party testing essential. FDA has not created supplement regulatory pathway for CBD despite Farm Bill 2018. Sleep evidence is thinner than popular perception suggests; anxiolytic signal is slightly stronger. Drug-drug interactions (especially with warfarin, SSRIs, antiepileptics) are real and underappreciated.

Mechanism

Partial CB1 agonist/allosteric modulator; 5-HT1A agonist; GPR55 antagonist; anti-inflammatory; FDA-approved (Epidiolex) for rare epilepsies; non-intoxicating

Dose & route

25-300 mg/day PO (supplement range); 10-20 mg/kg/day (Epidiolex)

Citations

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Common questions

Does CBD (cannabidiol) work?
Read Off Label rates the evidence for CBD (cannabidiol) as Weak-Moderate and the benefit magnitude as low-moderate, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.4/10). Consumer CBD product quality varies enormously — cannabiscore/third-party testing essential.
Is CBD (cannabidiol) safe?
CBD (cannabidiol) has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Rx (Epidiolex); OTC (supplements with poor regulation). This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
What is the typical dose for CBD (cannabidiol)?
25-300 mg/day PO (supplement range); 10-20 mg/kg/day (Epidiolex)
How does CBD (cannabidiol) work?
Partial CB1 agonist/allosteric modulator; 5-HT1A agonist; GPR55 antagonist; anti-inflammatory; FDA-approved (Epidiolex) for rare epilepsies; non-intoxicating

This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.