Cannabidiol (CBD) may help accelerate skin wound healing, increase collagen production and promote tissue regeneration, according to a new systematic review published October 13 in The FASEB Journal.
The review, conducted by researchers from several Brazilian universities, examined existing evidence on CBD’s effects on skin repair, including wound closure, inflammation, collagen deposition and the formation of new blood vessels.
Researchers initially identified 190 scientific records, ultimately examining five studies detailed in the review’s results section. Four reported beneficial effects associated with CBD treatment, while one found no significant improvement compared with control treatments.
One of the most notable findings involved a study in which rats with skin wounds were treated using a hydrogel containing CBD encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles.
The CBD formulation improved wound healing by approximately 35% by day 28 compared with the control treatment. Researchers also documented increased collagen deposition, greater skin thickness, improved blood vessel formation and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration.
Another animal study found that a wound dressing containing CBD, alginate and zinc accelerated wound closure, with measurable improvements appearing by day 10. The treatment was associated with greater formation of new tissue, increased collagen deposition and reduced inflammation.
The review also identified evidence that CBD may support fibroblast migration. Fibroblasts are specialized cells involved in producing collagen and other structural components necessary for rebuilding damaged skin.
CBD’s antioxidant properties were another potential contributor. Laboratory findings indicated that CBD-containing formulations reduced oxidative stress, a process that can interfere with tissue repair when excessive.
The review included one small human study involving 20 patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or skin scars. Participants applied CBD-enriched ointment twice daily for three months, with researchers observing improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and moisture retention. However, the study lacked a control group and did not establish that CBD accelerates wound closure in humans.
Not all findings were positive. A study involving six horses found that a CBD-containing treatment did not significantly improve wound closure or healing speed compared with honey-based and saline treatments.
Because the studies used different formulations, treatment methods and wound models, researchers conducted a qualitative review rather than a statistical meta-analysis.
The authors identified CBD-containing hydrogels and other specialized delivery systems as particularly promising approaches for future wound-healing research, while emphasizing that controlled human trials are still needed to establish their effectiveness.
