Top 10 Uses of CBD in the USA and Around the World (2025 Research Guide)

CBD (cannabidiol) has gone from a niche wellness ingredient to a mainstream health staple — and the numbers prove it. As of 2024, over 60% of U.S. adults have tried CBD, with 29% using it regularly, up from just 6% in 2018. The global CBD nutraceuticals market was valued at $9.34 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass $32 billion by 2033. But what exactly are people using it for?

We dug deep into the latest peer-reviewed research — from PubMed and NIH studies to Forbes Health and consumer surveys — to bring you the definitive list of the Top 10 most common uses of CBD in the USA and worldwide.

1. 🔴 Pain Relief (Chronic & Acute) — #1 Most Common Use

Pain management is the single biggest driver of CBD use globally. According to consumer reports, 64% of CBD users in the U.S. cite pain relief as their primary reason for use. A 2023 nationally representative survey funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders — such as joint pain and arthritis — were the most frequently targeted conditions, with users frequently replacing common OTC pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen with CBD.

Research published in PMC (NCBI) confirms that CBD's interaction with the endocannabinoid system and TRPV1 receptors produces measurable anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Athletes globally are also adopting CBD for muscle soreness and post-workout recovery, with Sports Illustrated reporting on the growing trend in 2024.

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2. 😰 Anxiety & Stress Relief

Anxiety is the second most cited reason Americans turn to CBD — 49% of users according to consumer data, and 14.7% by cited preferred use terms in a 2025 NIH study (PMC). A landmark Phase 3 clinical trial published in ScienceDirect in 2024 found that nanodispersible CBD oral solution was significantly effective for mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with participants showing measurable reductions in both GAD-7 and HAM-A anxiety scores. The study showed good tolerability with no serious adverse events.

A 2024 Frontiers in Psychiatry cross-sectional study found that stress relief was the top reported reason for CBD use (65.3%), with users — particularly those with psychiatric conditions — reporting significantly reduced anxiety symptoms. Globally, anxiety disorders affect approximately 301 million people, making this a massive area of need.

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3. 😴 Sleep & Insomnia

Sleep support is the third most common use of CBD in America, with 42% of users reporting it as a primary reason. A major 2024 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Human Performance and Health (Taylor & Francis) involving 1,793 adults found that 15mg of CBD was as effective as 5mg of melatonin for improving sleep disturbance scores over 4 weeks. Participants reported reduced frequency of nighttime waking and improved overall sleep quality.

A global sentiment analysis study published in PMC reviewed thousands of patient testimonials on CBD for insomnia, finding predominantly positive perceptions of effectiveness. The Frontiers in Psychiatry study also found sleep improvement was cited by 51.7% of CBD users internationally.

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4. ⚡ Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders

The most clinically validated use of CBD is for epilepsy. In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex — a purified CBD formulation — for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Clinical trials have shown CBD can reduce seizure frequency significantly in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology (2025) confirms CBD's role as a neuroinflammatory modulator and antiseizure agent, working through multiple mechanisms including interaction with cannabinoid receptors and TRPV1 channels.

A comprehensive meta-analysis in Acta Epileptologica (Springer Nature, 2024-2025) confirmed the efficacy of CBD for reducing seizure frequency in pharmacoresistant epilepsy. The FDA approval has also paved the way for expanded research into other neurological conditions.

5. 🧠 Depression & Mood Support

Depression is among the top reasons people globally turn to CBD. Approximately 44.9% of CBD users in international studies cite mood improvement as a goal. Research published in PMC shows CBD has demonstrated fast-acting antidepressant-like properties in preclinical studies and anxiolytic effects in clinical trials. A 2024 review in Frontiers in Psychiatry noted that individuals with psychiatric disorders who used CBD reported enhanced mood and emotional stability with minimal side effects.

The 2024 Phase 3 trial in ScienceDirect also showed improvements in PHQ-9 (depression scale) scores as a secondary outcome of CBD treatment for anxiety, suggesting overlapping benefits for mood disorders.

6. 🎗️ PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

PTSD is an emerging and growing area of CBD research. A 2024 real-world evidence study published in BJPsych Open (Cambridge University Press) tracked 238 PTSD patients using cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) over 3 months and found substantial reductions in PTSD symptom scores. The University of Nebraska Medical Center is currently conducting a clinical trial specifically studying CBD for PTSD, citing promising early results in reducing flashbacks and night terrors.

Clinical research from 2025 suggests that 30–60mg per day of CBD may yield meaningful reductions in PTSD symptom severity, particularly for sleep disruptions and trauma-related hyperarousal.

7. 🔥 Inflammation & Arthritis

CBD's anti-inflammatory properties are among its most studied. Research shows CBD modulates key pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, making it particularly relevant for inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. A study cited in PMC found CBD acts as a potent agent against inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. The NIDA-funded survey identified arthralgia (joint pain) at 11.2% as the third most common preferred use term for CBD.

CBD's neuroprotective and antioxidant properties also make it relevant for conditions associated with systemic inflammation, including neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders.

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8. 🌿 General Wellness & Well-Being

Not everyone using CBD has a specific medical condition. Many users — 52.5% in the Frontiers in Psychiatry international study — cite overall improvement in well-being as their top reason. This aligns with CBD's role as a popular food supplement and its growing presence in the global wellness industry. Consumer surveys from 2024 show that nearly 70% of CBD users find products effective, with 75% of U.S. users specifically saying CBD helps manage their symptoms.

The global CBD nutraceuticals market reflects this wellness trend, valued at $9.34 billion in 2024 and growing at a CAGR of 14.78% through 2033, driven by consumer interest in natural, plant-based health solutions.

9. 🌞 Skin Health & Topical Use

CBD's topical applications are among the fastest-growing segments globally. A 2024 study highlighted in a Releaf Research Round-Up found that CBD's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the effects of UV exposure, potentially preventing skin aging and even offering photoprotective benefits against skin cancer risk factors. This positions CBD as a promising ingredient in skincare formulations aimed at anti-aging and sun protection.

CBD topicals are also used for localized pain, eczema, psoriasis, and general skin conditions, with many users reporting reduced inflammation and irritation. Globally, CBD-infused skincare is now a multi-billion dollar market segment.

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10. 🐾 Pet Health

The use of CBD for pets — particularly dogs — is one of the most rapidly expanding markets in the U.S. and globally. Pet owners report using CBD to help with anxiety, joint pain, inflammation, seizures, and general aging in their animals. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association has noted increasing interest from pet owners, and the global CBD pet market is projected to grow significantly through 2025 and beyond.

Early veterinary research supports the anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties of CBD in dogs, with many studies showing it is well-tolerated at standard doses.

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The Bottom Line: What the Research Shows

The evidence is clear: CBD is no longer a fringe supplement. It is a scientifically studied, widely used wellness compound with clinically validated applications (epilepsy, anxiety) and a growing body of evidence for pain, sleep, inflammation, depression, PTSD, skin health, and more. With 75% of users reporting symptom improvement and nearly half finding CBD very or extremely effective, the demand is only growing.

At Tonify, every product in our lineup is crafted with this research in mind — using premium, lab-tested hemp extract to help you harness the benefits of CBD for your specific needs. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you take medications.

Research & Sources

1. Neurogan / Statista — CBD Usage Statistics USA 2018–2024. neurogan.com/blogs/news/how-many-americans-use-cbd-2025

2. NextEvo / BSDA — 2024 CBD Usage Statistics by State. nextevo.com/pages/cbd-by-state

3. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — Self-reported use of cannabidiol as a substitute or adjunct for approved medications (2023 nationally representative survey). PMC: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12920505/

4. PMC/NCBI — Prevalence and reasons for using CBD, delta-8 THC, CBN, CBG among US adults. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12690965/

5. Frontiers in Psychiatry (2024) — CBD usage, efficacy, and side effects: cross-sectional online pilot study. frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1356009/full

6. ScienceDirect (2024) — Phase 3 RCT: Nanodispersible CBD oral solution for mild to moderate anxiety disorders. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876201824001667

7. Taylor & Francis / Journal of Human Performance and Health (2024) — Safety and comparative effectiveness of non-psychoactive cannabinoid formulations for sleep. tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/27697061.2023.2203221

8. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2025) — Epilepsy, neuroinflammation and cannabidiol. frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1749260/full

9. BJPsych Open / Cambridge University Press (2024) — Medicinal cannabis for PTSD and comorbid depression: real-world evidence. cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-open/article/...

10. PMC/NCBI — Beyond the hype: CBD's biological impacts and mechanisms of action. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12067965/

11. Straits Research (2024) — CBD Nutraceuticals Market Size & Growth to 2033. straitsresearch.com/report/cbd-nutraceuticals-market

12. Releaf Research Round-Up (2024) — Latest Findings on CBD. yourreleaf.com/blog/2024-research-round-up-the-latest-findings-on-cbd/

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Tonify products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before using CBD, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medications.