CBD-infused products: Miracle compound or just another health fad?

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• January 17, 2022

Insight summary

Cannabis, a plant with a rich history of human use, is the source of over 100 cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, which interact differently with the body's receptors. The CBD market, which is growing rapidly due to the compound's versatility and potential therapeutic benefits, is expected to significantly impact various sectors, from healthcare to agriculture. This growth is also prompting a reevaluation of cannabis-related policies, leading to societal changes such as the normalization of cannabis use, the development of plant-based medicinal alternatives, and the potential decriminalization of cannabis.

CBD-infused products context

Cannabis is thought to be one of the earliest plants utilized for human benefit, having been grown for at least 12,000 years. Cannabis is available in a variety of variations and strains, including hemp and marijuana. However, all these varieties are classed as a single species: Cannabis sativa. The term "marijuana" refers to any cannabis plant that contains high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—more than 0.3 percent. While recreational marijuana is legal in Washington, D.C. and 11 other US states (in addition to countries, like Canada and Mexico), it is still classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the United States' Drug Enforcement Administration. Meanwhile, hemp is not allowed to contain more than 0.3 percent THC by law.

THC and CBD are both members of the chemical family called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are plant oils, and cannabis contains over 100 different types of them. Cannabis produces most of its cannabinoids in its flowers, more frequently referred to as "buds." Starting as a small amount of sugar, all cannabinoids are transported around the plant's enzymes and are gradually altered. In some circumstances, this sugar comes to a halt and must choose between two enzymes: THC-a synthase or CBD-a synthase.

One path leads to the creation of THC, while the other leads to the creation of CBD. THC synthase, on the other hand, is genetically inactive in hemp. As a result, certain hemp plants can produce a large amount of CBD because there is no internal rivalry for producing THC. Although CBD will not intoxicate the user from a neuroscience standpoint, it is a psychoactive that produces a different effect from THC. The nerves receive chemical messages via neurotransmitter receptors, which act like radio antennas. Cannabinoids contain two receptors known as CB1 and CB2. THC and CBD's mental impacts differ since THC makes the user feel high due to its high affinity for the CB1 receptor, whereas CBD has the opposite effect. CBD seldom, if ever, directly interacts with the CB1 receptor.

Disruptive impact

According to new market research, the increasingly popular CBD-infused products market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 48.1 percent from 2020 to 2027 to reach revenues of USD $165.7 billion by 2027. And the versatility of this substance is a primary reason for this growth. CBD can be incorporated into a broad range of goods including as a liquid, or in pills, pastes, sprays, lotions, salves, e-cigarettes, and more. CBD can also be baked, which explains why it can be found in almost everything from brownies and cookies to gummies and other treats.

One example currently on the market is Sunday Scaries CBD gummies which contain broad-spectrum CBD. Accordingly, this means it contains all the compounds in the cannabis plant except THC. Aside from the added vitamins B12 and D3, these candies are also available as gelatin-based or vegan gummies. CBD is present in each gummy at a concentration of 10 mg. The manufacturer suggests eating two or three gummies as required.

CBD is often mixed with scented coconut oil or beeswax in the form of a balm or a rub, making it easy to apply to the skin. When administered topically, CBD can reach local targets such as painful muscles or joints. The Social Rest CBD body lotion contains 300 mg of CBD, along with essential oils, such as chamomile and bergamot, to offer a calming sensation. The manufacturer also claims that the lotion is non-greasy, non-sticky, and fast-absorbing. It also contains added magnesium, shea butter, coconut oil, arnica, and argan oil.

Meanwhile, the therapeutic properties of CBD-infused products are being tested and confirmed by scientists and doctors around the world. For example, CBD-infused products are already being used to treat several medical conditions, including epilepsy, psychosis, and anxiety disorders. As these benefits become better documented, more manufacturers will infuse CBD into future lines of consumer products.

Implications of CBD infused products

Wder implications of CBD infused products may include:

• The continued and accelerated normalization of cannabis use across society.


• The development of plant-based medicinal alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. 


• The reduction of healthcare costs across populations as CBD products may represent a more economical alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals.


• The CBD industry becoming a major contributor to the economy, creating jobs, stimulating growth in related industries such as agriculture and retail.


• A reevaluation of drug policies leading to the decriminalization of cannabis and other substances, which could have profound implications for criminal justice reform and social equity.


• A shift in consumer behavior, with a wider range of age groups and demographics embracing these products, leading to a more diverse and inclusive market.


• Advancements in cultivation, extraction, and production techniques, leading to more efficient and sustainable practices, which could have wider implications for the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.


• The cultivation of hemp leading to more sustainable farming practices, as hemp is a renewable resource that can be grown without the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

Questions to consider

• In your opinion, do you think that CBD can alleviate physical symptoms, or does it just offer psychosomatic pain relief to the user?


• Considering the health and economic benefits of legal CBD (made from hemp), what do you think are the prospects of widespread cannabis legalization in the US and internationally?