In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD) has surged from the fringes of alternative remedies into the mainstream consciousness, fueled by promises of therapeutic benefits and an aura of safety distinct from its psychoactive cousin, THC. However, the evolving landscape of CBD consumption, particularly among young people, has prompted researchers to closely examine how these users navigate perceived risks and benefits, especially when comparing exclusive CBD users to those who also consume other cannabis-derived products, as well as non-users. A groundbreaking study published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction offers the first comprehensive insights into these dynamics, illuminating the nuanced attitudes and potential implications behind young individuals’ interaction with CBD products.
The study, spearheaded by researchers Alemán-Moussa, González-Roz, and Iza-Fernández, methodically categorizes young subjects into three distinct groups: those who use only CBD products, those who use CBD in combination with other cannabis derivatives, and non-users. This tripartite classification allows for a granular analysis that moves beyond simplistic dichotomies of user versus non-user, enriching our understanding of how different usage patterns shape risk perception and benefit valuation. Their findings reveal not only a spectrum of beliefs about the safety and efficacy of CBD but also highlight underlying psychological and social factors influencing these perceptions.
At its core, cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant, widely touted for anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties. Despite a robust expansion of CBD products—ranging from oils, edibles, and topical formulations to vaporizer liquids—scientific consensus on long-term safety and efficacy remains nascent. Amidst this backdrop, the study’s investigation into perceived risk is particularly timely, considering the regulatory ambiguity and often incomplete information available to consumers. For young people, attitudes toward CBD carry the added weight of developmental vulnerability and socio-cultural influences, making their insights crucial for future policymaking.
The group’s methodology involved detailed surveys capturing individual experiences, beliefs, and attitudes towards potential harms and benefits of CBD. Remarkably, the research demonstrates that users solely consuming CBD products tend to emphasize perceived therapeutic advantages such as relief from anxiety, improvement in sleep quality, and mood stabilization. Concurrently, they express skepticism or minimal concern regarding adverse effects, often citing a sense of naturalness and product safety due to the absence of intoxicating effects. This perception aligns with a broader societal trend where CBD is framed as a wellness supplement rather than a drug.
Conversely, among those who integrate CBD with other cannabis-derived products, a different psychological landscape emerges. This subset accounts for complicated risk assessments, often acknowledging heightened concerns about dependency, cognitive impairment, and legality despite still valuing the compound’s benefits. This nuanced stance likely reflects multifaceted exposure to cannabis-related information and personal experience with psychoactive substances, which tempers their optimism with caution. The study underscores that this group’s risk perception is markedly influenced by their experiences with other cannabinoids that elicit intoxicating effects, feeding into a deeper awareness of potential negative consequences.
Non-users, by contrast, offer an important counterbalance in the analysis, frequently exhibiting skepticism or wariness toward CBD, propelled by a lack of familiarity and conflation of CBD with recreational cannabis use. For many in this group, misinformation and stigma persist, which fuels uncertainty or outright rejection. This highlights a persistent communication gap in public health messaging, wherein distinctions between CBD and other cannabis derivatives remain misunderstood, complicating efforts to educate and regulate. Equally, it signals significant opportunities for scientific literacy initiatives that clearly delineate the pharmacological profiles and regulatory status of these substances.
Importantly, the study does not simply catalogue perceptions but contextualizes them within broader psychological frameworks—including the role of social influence, personal health orientation, and risk tolerance. It identifies that CBD-only users generally possess a proactive health mindset, often engaging in self-experimentation motivated by a desire to mitigate anxiety or achieve wellness improvements without pharmaceuticals. This contrasts with the more ambivalent or risk-averse attitudes observed among non-users, who may prioritize traditional medical advice or harbor fear of unknown side effects. The integration of these behavioral insights enriches our understanding of why young consumers gravitate to or away from CBD products.
Moreover, regulatory frameworks—or the absence thereof—play a pivotal role in shaping perceived risks. The study highlights that the lack of standardized dosing guidelines, inconsistent labeling, and variable product quality exacerbates uncertainty among users, particularly those experimenting with combined cannabis products. This regulatory gray zone perpetuates confusion and uneven risk assessment, leaving consumers vulnerable to misinformation and potential harm despite widespread assumptions of safety. These findings call for urgent policy reforms to standardize THC content, purity, and marketing practices to safeguard public health, especially within vulnerable populations like youth.
From a pharmacological perspective, the distinction between isolated CBD use and combined cannabinoid consumption carries critical ramifications. While CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system primarily involves modulating receptor signaling pathways associated with mood and inflammation, co-use with THC or other cannabinoids introduces complexities due to synergistic or antagonistic effects. Such interactions can heighten psychoactive impact, alter metabolism, and unpredictably affect mental health outcomes. This pharmacodynamic interplay elucidates why combined users might report greater ambivalence toward risks and benefits, as their experiences traverse a broader spectrum of physiological and psychological reactions.
The research also emphasizes the imperative of longitudinal studies to discern the long-term consequences of CBD use in young populations. Current evidence surrounding chronic use, potential for dependency, and neurodevelopmental effects remains insufficient, with most clinical trials limited by ethical, regulatory, and logistical challenges. However, observational data as presented in this study generates hypotheses regarding cognitive resilience, anxiety modulation, and possible adverse sequelae that merit rigorous clinical examination. Thus, this work lays foundational groundwork for subsequent investigations that can inform evidence-based recommendations.
Public health messaging emerging from these insights must balance empowerment with caution, recognizing the heterogeneous user profiles and the nuanced reality of cannabis-derived product consumption. Campaigns that demonize users without addressing underlying motivations risk alienation, while overly optimistic narratives strip attention from legitimate safety concerns. Instead, tailored interventions that address specific informational gaps, emphasize product quality verification, and provide clear differentiation between CBD and THC products could significantly enhance informed decision-making among young consumers.
Social media’s role in shaping young people’s perceptions of CBD products cannot be overstated. Platforms inundated with user testimonials, wellness endorsements, and influencer marketing create an echo chamber that amplifies anecdotal benefits while minimizing adverse experiences. This digital containment fosters a collective narrative that may distort risk perception, promoting increased consumption despite scientific uncertainties. The present study indirectly calls for greater scrutiny and regulation of online CBD-related content to prevent misinformation and commercial exploitation that compromises youth health.
Furthermore, this research underscores the cultural and societal factors underpinning the normalization of CBD use among young people. The wellness movement, driven by holistic health philosophies and skepticism toward conventional medicine, dovetails with CBD’s image as a natural remedy. These cultural currents facilitate acceptance and encourage self-directed health management but simultaneously challenge regulatory and clinical frameworks accustomed to more conventional pharmaceutical oversight. Navigating this cultural terrain demands sensitivity and adaptability from health professionals and policymakers alike.
An additional dimension explored is the psychological impact of perceived risk and benefit on mental health itself. The expectation of relief can produce placebo effects that modulate symptom perception and quality of life, complicating objective measurement of CBD’s therapeutic value. Conversely, anxiety about potential side effects can exacerbate mental distress, forming a feedback loop that shapes use patterns and subjective experiences. These cognitive and emotional processes, integral to the study’s findings, suggest that therapeutic outcomes depend heavily on mindset and context alongside pharmacology.
In synthesizing these multifaceted insights, the study by Alemán-Moussa and colleagues not only fills a critical knowledge gap but also presents a call to action. It advocates for harmonizing product regulation, enhancing education, fostering transparent research, and respecting the diverse realities of young cannabis consumers. As CBD continues to permeate global markets and cultural narratives, striking this balance remains essential to maximizing potential benefits while minimizing unforeseen harms—a challenge that stands at the intersection of science, policy, and society.
Ultimately, this pioneering research contributes a vital piece to the evolving puzzle of cannabis-derived products and their place within contemporary youth culture. It champions a grounded yet empathetic understanding of how young people perceive, navigate, and integrate CBD into their lives, offering indispensable guidance to researchers, clinicians, educators, and regulatory bodies alike. As the field advances, ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration will be fundamental in translating these complex perceptions into meaningful, evidence-based health strategies that safeguard youth well-being in an era of rapidly changing drug landscapes.
Subject of Research: Perceived risks and benefits of cannabidiol-containing products among young people, comparing exclusive CBD users, combined CBD and other cannabis product users, and non-users.
Article Title: Perceived Risks and Benefits Associated With Cannabidiol-Containing Products Among Young People: A Comparison of Users of CBD Only, CBD + Other Cannabis-Derived Products, and Non-Users.
Article References:
Alemán-Moussa, L., González-Roz, A., Iza-Fernández, C. et al. Int J Ment Health Addiction (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01624-w
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01624-w
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