A strong majority of CBD users in Germany report health improvements and few adverse effects, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Researchers from the University of Freiburg and University of Augsburg conducted an anonymous survey to explore why people are using over-the-counter CBD products and what effects they experience. The survey, active over a five-month period, gathered responses from 208 participants, most of whom were women aged 41 to 60 and daily CBD users for over three months.
The most common form of consumption was CBD oil with concentrations between 10% and 20%. Among participants, 89% said CBD improved their general health and well-being, and 79% reported it helped alleviate disease symptoms. Reported benefits included reduced pain—especially chronic, muscle, and joint pain—as well as relief from sleep issues, anxiety, and nervousness.
Adverse effects were minimal, with dry mouth and sleepiness cited most often. However, 69% of users reported no negative side effects at all.
Researchers noted a strong belief in natural remedies and supplements among respondents, suggesting that expectation and placebo effects could have influenced some of the positive feedback. The authors say future controlled studies are needed to better separate psychological influences from CBD’s pharmacological effects.
