In the U.S., the vast majority of products containing CBD have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA. Does this mean that people who use these products are risking their health? For example, is CBD addictive? Does it cause dangerous side effects? Will you develop painful withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using it?
At Tampa Bay Recovery Center, adults whose lives have been disrupted by substance abuse, addiction, and various mental health concerns receive personalized outpatient care from dedicated experts who are truly invested in their success.
Learn more about outpatient mental health care and addiction rehab in Tampa Bay, FL, or verify your insurance today.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring substance that is present in the cannabis plant. It is one of more than 100 compounds called cannabinoids that have been identified in this plant.
CBD and other cannabinoids interact with receptors in the body’s central and peripheral nervous systems. The network of receptors that are affected by these compounds is referred to as the endocannabinoid system.
Perhaps the most widely known compound from this category is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. However, unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause perceptual distortions or similar mind-altering effects.
Extracted CBD has been added to many consumer products, including:
- Oils
- Creams and lotions
- Beverages
- Food
- Cosmetics
These products are often marketed as supplements or herbal remedies that can alleviate pain, reduce tension, or improve mood. But questions persist about their effectiveness and potential drawbacks, including the risk of becoming addicted to CBD.
Is CBD Addictive?
CBD is derived from cannabis, and cannabis is addictive. Does this mean that people who use products that contain CBD are at risk of becoming dependent? Is CBD addictive?
No, CBD is not addictive. It can cause certain adverse effects, which are addressed a bit later in today’s post. But addiction is not one of these effects.
As is also the case with cannabis’s ability to cause mind-altering effects, its addictiveness is primarily due to the presence of THC. Certain other cannabinoids may also contribute to the addictive nature of cannabis, but not CBD.
How Does CBD Affect Your Body & Mind?
Since CBD doesn’t produce a recreational high, why do people use products that contain it?
Though CBD use doesn’t cause disorienting or hallucinogen-like effects, the substance can still have an impact on your mind and body.
Mental Health
Potential mental health benefits of CBD include:
- Improved mood
- Easing of anxiety
- Minimized depression
- Increased ability to focus
- Greater alertness
A March 2026 review in the open-access journal Proceedings reported that CBD had “strong positive effects” on symptom reduction for people with several anxiety-like disorders.
That review, which evaluated four studies of CBD’s effects on adult humans, found that the substance helped to reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Physical Health
CBD use has also been linked with various physical benefits, including:
- Pain relief
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced inflammation related to arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Reduced muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Easing of nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy
Oversight & Approval
It is important to note that research into the potential physical and psychological benefits of CBD is limited. Many claims of the substance’s positive effects involve anecdotal reports and/or small studies. Nothing in today’s post should be interpreted as an endorsement of CBD use for any purpose.
Most consumer products that contain CBD are sold as supplements or herbal remedies, which means they have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To date, the only CBD product to have earned FDA approval is Epidiolex, a prescription medication that is used to treat seizures in people who have Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), or tuberous sclerosis complex.
Does CBD Cause Side Effects?
You can’t get addicted to CBD, but that doesn’t mean you can use the substance without risk.
Potential adverse effects of CBD include:
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Lowered blood pressure
Also, CBD could interact negatively with certain medications. So it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting to take CBD or any other over-the-counter products.
In addition to risk of side effects, another concern about using most CBD products is related to the lack of FDA oversight. According to the Mayo Clinic, a study of 84 CBD products that been purchased online found that more than 25% contained less CBD than the label indicated, while 18 of the samples also contained THC.
Does CBD Cause Withdrawal Symptoms?
When you’ve been taking a substance for an extended period, suddenly stopping can often trigger a range of physical and/or psychological symptoms. This applies to various prescription medications as well as many recreational drugs. But it does not seem to apply to CBD.
A small randomized controlled trial that was published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior found “no evidence of withdrawal symptoms” from CBD. That trial involved 30 healthy participants who abruptly stopped using CBD after taking it in a highly purified oral solution for several weeks.
Find Mental Health & Addiction Treatment in Tampa Bay
Many people use CBD in an attempt to self-medicate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. If you’ve been taking this approach but not experiencing the benefits you’d hoped for, outpatient treatment may be the best choice for you.
Tampa Bay Recovery Center offers customized care in a safe and highly supportive environment. Treatment options at our outpatient rehab in St. Petersburg, FL, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and virtual treatment.
In addition to providing life-affirming mental health programming, our dedicated professionals also serve adults whose lives have been disrupted by addictions to alcohol and other drugs.
To learn more call 813-733-5686 or verify your insurance now.
