What are the research-based benefits of using THC-free CBD oil?
Currently, there are no valid evidence-based medicine trials specifically supporting the beneficial use of THC-free CBD based OTC (over the counter) oils. Many OTC marketing sponsors and companies advocating such benefits from THC free CBD oils have done so without the merit of scientific data or controlled trials and have based most of their marketing claims from anecdotal evidence and self-reported claims from individuals using these oils. One such landmark evidence based medicine (EBM) trial exists which demonstrated statistically significant outcomes in seizure reduction and recurrence among subjects with 3 particularly known seizure types, Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) a phakomatosis with accompanying seizure disorder. The trial utilized a synthetically derived plant based cannabidiol in its pure synthetic form with extracted THC ingredient. Although many ongoing current multi-center trials are currently underway to assess the use of Epidiolex to assess and evaluate Epidiolex and its efficacy to treat various non-seizure disorders such as sleep insomnia, anxiety related disorders, inflammatory and pain disorders, the only FDA currently approved recommendation for seizure specific sub-type is synthetic cannabidiol CBD (Epidiolex).
When suggesting any type of OTC treatment to our patients, vitamins, minerals, supplements or THC Free CBD oils, it’s a physician’s greatest challenge to properly evaluate any given product. Unfortunately, without knowing what is contained in the stated label or amounts listed, or if the product is free of harmful additives, excipients or fillers, whether the true ingredient exists, the degree of purity, certainty of safety, or if there are any undeclared ingredients, we cannot make blind suggestions to the contrary.
Hopefully, future trials utilizing various forms of delivery mechanisms of these OTC oils in particular may be established to further elucidate both short term and long term efficacy of drug, drug safety, and drug interactions that is critical to addressing unanswered questions relevant to the use of these over the counter products in clinical practice.
