Protecting Hemp as a Functional Wellness Tool: Insights from the Largest Observational Study on Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Beverages
Cannabinoid-infused beverages are one of the fastest growing sectors in the hemp industry and comprise a significant category of medical and adult use products. Until now, there has been very limited information on the real-world impact of infused beverages. Here we summarize findings from the first large-scale, non-interventional, longitudinal observational study of beverages in real-world settings. This research shows how THC beverages can improve daily life for sleep, mood, anxiety, and reductions in alcohol and other cannabis products. These data-backed benefits emphasize that access to hemp should be protected!
Real world data from over 2,500 total participants across 20 different infused beverages show that the average hemp beverage consumer received benefits to health, wellness & overall quality of life.
Why Study Beverages?
Cannabis beverages like seltzers, teas and mocktails are a relatively new product type and are extremely accessible for new and experienced consumers because they are easy to dose, discrete and delicious. These beverages are each uniquely formulated with different cannabinoids, other herb and functional foods,, emulsification technologies, and more. Despite their growing popularity, there remains a huge gap in research as to how consumers are using and benefiting from infused beverages. The THC Drink Report by our collaborators MoreBetter Ltd is the starting point to fill that gap by showing data from the first large-scale, longitudinal, observational study on how these products are benefitting consumers. As THC drinks become more accessible and widely used, this data is important for consumers, regulators, and medical professionals so we can understand the net benefit of cannabis as an alternative to alcohol or other medications.
Participant eligibility criteria reflected capturing the average adult consumer - adults over 21 screened to exclude those who were pregnant, trying to become pregnant, managing serious medical conditions, living in states without access, and daily cannabis consumers. When asked about their motivations, participants cited both curiosity and intention: 38.6% wanted to explore new cannabis products, while others were driven by wellness goals—17.5% aimed to avoid hangovers, 12.9% sought to reduce alcohol use, and 10.4% viewed cannabis beverages as a healthier alternative. The most commonly desired effects included stress relief (44.7%), increased sociability (16.1%), pain relief (15.2%), and improved sleep (8.9%), highlighting the diverse and functional roles these products are beginning to play in consumers’ lives.
Key Outcomes - Feel Better and Consume Less
The overall outcomes of the study showed positive trends for health and overall quality of life. There were significant reductions in the DASS scale for stress (44.53% reduction), anxiety (46.8% reduction), and depression (50.08% reduction). The cohort also started from a “Normal” baseline score, which means these reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression may be larger or more significant for more affected populations.There was also a statistically significant improvement in the WHO-5 Well-Being score (23.18% change). Infused beverages helped participants to feel better on days that they consumed the product.
Using infused beverages reduced the probability of daily alcohol use and the probability of heavy alcohol consumption.There was also a decreased probability of daily cannabis use. This points to the potential for infused cannabis beverages to act as an aid in moderating or eliminating the use of alcohol or other cannabis products.
Access to Hemp-Derived Beverages as a Health Equity Issue
The findings from this study show that hemp-derived THC beverages can act as functional wellness tools. Participants reported improvements in stress, anxiety, and depression and were less likely to consume alcohol or other cannabis products. These are not solely recreational products - they are harm-reduction tools. This study showed that there were significant improvements in an average cohort, but it is likely that there are even more significant improvements in specific populations of medical cannabis patients. For many, hemp and cannabis are safer alternatives and access to these therapeutic options needs to be protected.
This plant and its power to heal should not be over-regulated. These infused beverages offer a low-barrier, non-smoking alternative option for managing stress or reducing alcohol use. Restricting access to these beverages disproportionately impacts many different communities with limited to no other options. Protecting access to these products helps ensure that more people, regardless of income, race, geography, or health status, have the ability to choose a harm reduction tool that improves the quality of life.