As CBD has grown in popularity over the years, there’s been no shortage of vague claims about health and wellness. Often marketed as a ‘cure all,’ it’s no wonder people are skeptical about whether or not CBD lives up to the hype. In an age of both alternative medicines and facts, it can be hard to know what works and what doesn’t.

As our understanding of CBD is still developing, it can be challenging to know whether CBD works as described, or is merely a placebo. We think this kind of curiosity is important, especially when it comes to understanding what we put in our bodies.

Since the research is still limited, there’s a lot we don’t yet understand. That said, progress is being made and we’re happy to discuss the state of the science as we understand it.

What is a Placebo?

In order to know whether or not CBD is a placebo, it would help to start by understanding what a placebo is. According to Google, a placebo is defined as “a harmless pill, medicine, or procedure prescribed more for the psychological benefit to the patient than for any physiological effect.” Put simply, this means that a placebo is often used in place of treatment and avoids any active ingredients that would impact the outcome of the treatment.

That being said, placebos have actually been shown to make a positive impact. The placebo effect, as it’s called, is the idea that by simply believing that something will make us feel better, it often does. Placebos have been used to treat everything from anxiety and depression to chronic pain, and have done so with a surprising amount of success. While they’re are often used in clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of new treatments and medications, placebos are also regularly prescribed.

However, the placebo effect is deceptive by nature, requiring an individual to believe in effects that are otherwise unsubstantiated nor scientifically proven. For those with challenging experiences within the medical system, the use of placebos could be considered a dismissal of real, legitimate concerns. In the marketing world, they can be used to justify exaggerated and unscientific health claims, often to the financial detriment of the people purchasing these products.

While the placebo effect is interesting and speaks to a connection between our general health and state of mind, it’s important to know the difference between marketing claims and scientific evidence. By investigating the legitimacy of health claims made by companies, we can be sure that the products we’re buying have been researched, are safe to consume, and aren’t making any unsubstantiated promises.

Evidence of Effectiveness

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of evidence when asking if CBD is a placebo is the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a series of receptors and transmitters that work to keep our body in homeostasis, or balance. CBD has been shown to interact with this system in a multitude of ways. One of more specific ways CBD impacts the ECS is by helping to prevent the breakdown of a chemical called anandamide, which triggers feelings of calm. The CB1 receptor, an important part of the ECS, is also known for helping to reduce pain and inflammation.

Interestingly enough, there are links between the ECS and the placebo effect. Studies have suggested that for some, placebos might be able to induce a state of mind that triggers an increased production of anandamide.

Although more research needs to be done before any substantiated claims can be made, the current available information suggests the effects of CBD are consistently greater than that of a placebo. In one study, it was concluded that CBME, a cannabis-based compound with equal parts THC and CBD, was more effective when treating symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis than a placebo. Additionally, other studies have found evidence to suggest that CBD could be an effective treatment for pain, neurological disorders, seizures, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, opioid addiction, and Parkinson’s Disease.

To summarize, the research that has been conducted so far continues to support the idea that CBD is more than just placebo.

Dosage

When discussing CBD, dosage is important. The studies done so far suggest that some conditions need to be treated with lower dosages of CBD, while others require significantly more. There’s also been research to suggest that including THC in CBD increases effectiveness, helping to support and encourage the entourage effect. Without industry standards for knowing what an effective dosage looks like, or what ratio of THC to CBD to use, it’s often challenging for consumers to know how much, or what, to take.

Bodies are also complicated. What works well for one person might not work for someone else. Individual factors like body chemistry, age, sex, or medical conditions, can play a huge role in the effectiveness of any kind of treatment.

Because of variables like these, taking CBD can be a somewhat personalized experience. This often adds to the multitude of claims and anecdotal evidence both for and against using CBD as a treatment. While this might cause us to second-guess some of the benefits associated with taking CBD, the research we have seen nevertheless suggests that it is far more than a placebo.

TL;DR

When it comes to what we put in our bodies, it is important to be skeptical and consider the evidence. While there are still gaps in our current understanding of CBD and how it works, what we have learned so far is very encouraging. Substantial evidence exists, showing that CBD is effective in helping us to regulate our endocannabinoid system. This alone would suggest that CBD is far more than a placebo.