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White Plains, New York, March 4, 2020 — A recent survey of 9,782 people who use dietary supplements found that 14.5% of respondents purchased CBD (or hemp extract, which is a source of CBD) in 2019. The survey asked those people what they used CBD for and whether or not they thought it worked.

As shown below, the most popular use for CBD was, by far, to reduce pain, with more than two-thirds of respondents indicating this use. Pain reduction was particularly common among older individuals. Close to half used it for sleep. More than one-third used it to reduce anxiety, which was more common among younger users than older users. About one-fifth used it to reduce depression/improve mood. Nine percent gave CBD to a pet, 8.6% used it as part of cancer treatment, 2% used CBD for colds or flu, and 0.8% used it to lessen Parkinson's symptoms. More than one use was permitted in the responses.

Most Common Uses for CBD

When asked if they thought CBD worked, 53.3% of users said yes, 11.7% said no, and 35% said that they didn't know. Interestingly, those who gave CBD to their pets were the most likely to believe that CBD worked, with 63.5% saying "yes" it worked.

The results are based on responses to the most recent ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin and Supplement Users. The Survey is conducted each November among readers of ConsumerLab.com's semiweekly newsletter.

The ConsumerLab.com Survey was first conducted in 2002. Respondents are active users of supplements, with over 82% taking at least four different supplements daily, and rely on ConsumerLab's extensive product reviews and information when choosing and using supplements and health foods, including its CBD and Hemp Extract Review, which found that CBD products do not always contain their listed amounts of CBD and that certain products offer much better quality and value than others. Respondents also identified and rated the supplement brands and merchants they used (see the release on Top Rated Supplement Brands and Merchants).

An extensive 180+ page report based on the survey is available as the Dietary Supplement Consumer Trends and Preferences Report - 2020. To purchase the report, contact Lisa Sabin at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

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