In the above video, Chiropractic Economics editor-in-chief Gloria Hall interviews author Joe Kryszak, MBA, on the importance of transparency in the manufacture of CBD products.
Video transcript (PDF)
Below is his article from Issue 14:
Current evidence supports integrating CBD as a natural solution for managing chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound derived from the hemp plant, is emerging as a valuable complement to naturopathic medicine. Both CBD and naturopathic practices share foundational principles: promoting prevention, supporting natural healing and enhancing optimal health through noninvasive, plant-based therapies. Integrating CBD into naturopathic care offers a scientifically supported, patient-centered approach that aligns with these core values.
What the evidence says
CBD’s therapeutic relevance is not a modern discovery. Historical texts and archeological evidence demonstrate that hemp, the plant from which CBD is derived, has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia. Therapeutic indications of cannabis are mentioned in the texts of the Indian Hindus, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans. These texts reported cannabis was used to treat a vast array of different health problems, including arthritis, depression, amenorrhea, inflammation, pain, lack of appetite and asthma.1
Modern science now confirms the physiological basis for hemp’s historical use, particularly through its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS, first extensively studied in the 1990s, is a complex neuromodulatory system that plays a critical role in regulating pain, immune response, mood and sleep. According to the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the endocannabinoid system is a complex communication system involved in maintaining homeostasis in various physiological processes, including metabolism, immune response, pain modulation and neuroprotection.2
CBD acts as an indirect modulator of the ECS, enhancing the body’s ability to produce and retain its own endocannabinoids. National Institutes of Health (NIH) research highlights that CBD also influences other receptor systems, such as serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors, which may contribute to its anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties.3
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of integrating CBD are particularly relevant for naturopathic practitioners managing chronic pain and inflammation. Harvard Medical School notes that emerging studies suggest CBD can modulate inflammatory cytokines and may offer a natural therapeutic pathway for musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain without the risks associated with opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This aligns with naturopathic goals of minimizing harm while supporting the body’s innate healing processes.4
Johns Hopkins University has also contributed to the growing evidence supporting CBD’s clinical applications. A recent patient survey conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers found individuals commonly use CBD to manage pain, anxiety and sleep disturbances, with many reporting perceived benefits. While these results are preliminary and largely observational, they reflect a growing trend of patients seeking plant-based, low-risk interventions.5
CBD’s impact on sleep is another critical area of interest for naturopaths and their patients. Poor sleep is often linked to chronic pain and anxiety, creating a cycle difficult to break with conventional pharmaceuticals alone. Research from Harvard indicates CBD may promote better sleep by addressing underlying pain and anxiety, rather than by inducing sedation directly. This mechanism makes CBD a valuable tool for naturopathic practitioners aiming to improve sleep quality without dependence-forming medications.
Product quality
In clinical practice, you should approach CBD integration with the same diligence applied to other botanical therapies. Harvard Health Publishing emphasizes the importance of sourcing high-quality, third-party tested CBD products to ensure accurate labeling and the absence of contaminants. You should prioritize full-spectrum or broad-spectrum hemp extracts that retain synergistic plant compounds, while remaining compliant with federal guidelines regarding tetrahydrocannabinol content.
Dosing should follow the naturopathic principle of “start low and go slow.” Beginning with small doses allows for individualized titration based on patient response and therapeutic goals. Tracking outcomes using validated assessment tools for pain, anxiety and sleep can help you objectively measure your patient’s progress and adjust their treatment plans accordingly.
Patient education
Patient education is crucial. You should explain how CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to support the body’s natural regulatory mechanisms but also empower your patients to do their own research and make informed choices. Additionally, providing guidance on the latest research and focusing on reputable sourcing ensures patients can safely incorporate CBD into their wellness routines.
Final thoughts on integrating CBD into your practice
Integrating CBD into naturopathic care aligns with the profession’s holistic, prevention-focused approach. It offers a botanical, low-risk option for managing common conditions, such as chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety and sleep disturbances, areas in which naturopathic doctors often excel in providing nonpharmacologic solutions.
With this said, it is critical to source your products from a GMP-certified company that provides independent, third-party testing to ensure your patient gets the quality they expect.
As research from the NIH, Harvard and Johns Hopkins evolves, CBD’s role in naturopathic practice will become more clearly defined. Current evidence supports its thoughtful integration as part of a comprehensive, patient-centered care model.
Joe Kryszak, MBA, is president of Stirling Professional CBD. Stirling is committed to helping DCs help their patients. Since 2014, Stirling has grown, extracted and produced the purest CBD available. Stirling Professional brings amazing, affordable CBD+ products to patients, with an industry-leading lineup of 2,500-mg CBD lotions, THC and THC-free capsules and gels and four great solutions for better sleep. For more information, visit stirlingprofessional.com.
References
History of cannabis. 2020. University of Sydney. https://www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html. Accessed July 7, 2025.
Simankowicz P, Stępniewska J. The role of endocannabinoids in physiological processes and disease pathology: A comprehensive review. J. Clin. Med. 2025;14(8):2851. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/8/2851/. Accessed July 8, 2025.
Cannabis (marijuana) and cannabinoids: What you need to know. 2021. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know/. Accessed July 7, 2025.
Grinspoon P. Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don’t. April 2024. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-201808242496/. Accessed July 7, 2025.
Garcia-Romeu A, et al. Online survey of medicinal cannabis users: Qualitative analysis of patient-level data. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:965535. https://pure.johnshopkins.edu/en/publications/online-survey-of-medicinal-cannabis-users-qualitative-analysis-of/. Accessed July 7, 2025.
