CBD (cannabidiol)
Sleep & Recovery · Non-psychoactive cannabinoid
Tier C+
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 composition and contaminant levels vary substantially; certificates and independent testing can document some product-quality dimensions.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 25-300 mg/day PO (supplement range); 10-20 mg/kg/day (Epidiolex) — Rx (Epidiolex); OTC; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
Consumer CBD composition and contaminant levels vary substantially; certificates and independent testing can document some product-quality dimensions. 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
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
25-300 mg/day PO (supplement range); 10-20 mg/kg/day (Epidiolex)
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about CBD (cannabidiol)'s effects?
- 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 composition and contaminant levels vary substantially; certificates and independent testing can document some product-quality dimensions.
- What safety findings are reported for CBD (cannabidiol)?
- CBD (cannabidiol) has a low-med risk profile in the database. Low-Med (hepatotoxicity — signal in Epidiolex trials; significant CYP450 interactions with warfarin/antiepileptics; sedation; diarrhea) Legal status: Rx (Epidiolex); OTC (supplements with poor regulation).
- What doses or routes are reported for CBD (cannabidiol)?
- 25-300 mg/day PO (supplement range); 10-20 mg/kg/day (Epidiolex) This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- 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.