Millions of people search for CBD on Google to learn about it - 3 things to know

by druginc

Millions of people flock to Google on Google to learn about CBD - 3 things you need to know

United States - CBD ranks among the top health-related searches, along with "diet," "e-cigarettes," and "yoga" — researchers recently found out.

The public's curiosity about CBD is increasing enormously and a new study also provides the figures to show it.

Google search rates for the non-intoxicating cannabis derivative are rising enormously, according to research revealed on Wednesday.

Looking at the frequency people typed in "CBD" or the chemical's full name, "cannabidiol," researchers at the University of California, San Diego and Johns Hopkins University found triple digits in recent years.

Search rates grew 126% between 2016 and 2017, then an additional 160% from 2017 to 2018, the study said. It is estimated that people search for 'CBD' and 'cannabidiol' 117,7% more this year, compared to last year, the researchers added. In other words, substantial doubling every year.

Consumers looked up the two terms 6,4 million times in April, researchers collected data last month. CBD was the fourth most sought-after health-related topic that month, the study said. Diet was the most wanted health topic on Google that month, while e-cigarettes came in second and yoga third.

The study noted that CBD is "widely promoted as a panacea," although research on its effects and benefits is still a bit on the thin side at times.

"CBD has become insanely popular," said Dr. John W. Ayers, co-author and vice president of innovation at the University of California, San Diego's division of infectious diseases and global public health.

“Three years ago, there was essentially no one looking for CBD online, but now there are an estimated 6,4 million unique searches per month. ”

The upward search trend comes at a time when consumers can purchase a variety of products containing the cannabis compound, including products such as CBD-infused oil, jelly beans, bath salts, skin lotion and CBD for pets. In fact, it is often readily available at your local drug store or gyms as well. Retail CBD sales could pass $ 1 billion this year and pass $ 2024 billion by 10, according to Hemp Industry Daily, a trade magazine about the market. There lies enormous potential for the entrepreneur and consumers.

Consumers may buy CBD products, but many are unsure about them. In fact, a separate study this week found that 48% of the 2.440 survey participants used CBD, yet were concerned about its safety.

“Even as this industry has matured now, the lack of regulation and accountability is still a concern,” said Darcie Moran, quality assurance director at Joy Organics, the Fort Collins Colo-based CBD products company that conducted the survey. "A lot of consumers just don't know what they put into their bodies or which brands they can trust."

Here are some of the basic answers about CBD questions that consumers can keep in mind:

What is the legal status of CBD?

In America, things are a bit trickier: the federal Farm Bill of 2018 legalized hemp, the cannabis plant that can produce CBD. The compound is an active ingredient in a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug for the treatment of epilepsy. And because it's an active ingredient in an FDA-regulated drug, companies can do not put in food and drinks sold over state lines, or as a dietary supplement. In contrast, cosmetics do not require FDA approval.

Meanwhile, 47 states allow some form of consumer access to CBD. However, some state laws are "extremely limited," said Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, an interest organization that supports full legalization of marijuana.

Is CBD addictive?

The research so far points to 'no'. Dr. Elaine Wyllie, who treats epilepsy in the Cleveland Clinic, said researchers "Believe that CBD treatment is likely to carry a very low risk of abuse or addiction."

Similarly, the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug Addiction said in 2017 that "CBD in its pure state ... does not appear to have any potential for abuse or cause harm."

What CBD can and cannot do

The only FDA-approved drug that uses CBD treats epilepsy, but that has not prevented some companies from declaring that the substance can be used to treat Alzheimer's, cancer, autism, Parkinson's disease and other disorders.

De Mayo Clinic said studies are investigating the use of CBD for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and anxiety, but "research to support the drug's benefits is still limited."

The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission this week sent out warning letters to a company that appears to be making unsubstantiated claims in its advertisements. The company suggested that its products could help customers with autism, ADHD, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, according to regulators. "Under FTC law, it is illegal to advertise that a product can prevent, treat, or cure human disease unless the seller has competent and reliable scientific evidence to support the claims," ​​the agencies said in their letter.

"There are many unanswered questions about the science, safety, effectiveness and quality of unapproved products containing CBD," said the two agencies. Earlier this year, the two agencies sent similar warning letters to three companies talking about the supposed many therapeutic benefits of CBD.

CBD is sometimes marketed to help anxiety and insomnia. Nevertheless, researchers point out that very few scientific studies have been done on people using CBD. Dr. Peter Grinspoon, who teaches at Harvard Medical School, noted, for example, that an animal study showed that CBD reduced the pain and inflammation of arthritis.

"More human research is needed in this area to substantiate claims made by CBD advocates about pain management," said Grinspoon.

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