Hemp-based products have now been legal on a federal level for several years. Since that shift, thousands of new products have reached store shelves across the country. While CBD remains the most recognized name in the industry, other cannabinoids like CBG and THCA have grown in popularity. With these emerging products drawing attention, it’s natural for many to question whether CBD is still worth considering.
Ongoing scientific research has helped answer that question, continuing to expand our understanding of CBD and uncovering promising new applications. These findings are breathing new life into the CBD industry and offering consumers fresh reasons to make it part of their wellness routines.
Recent Discoveries About CBD’s Impact on the Nervous System
A 2025 review published in Biochemical Pharmacology explored CBD’s interaction with the 5-HT1A receptor, a receptor found within the human nervous system. This receptor is known to be a key inhibitory G-protein coupled receptor that exists in two primary forms—autoreceptors and heteroreceptors. These forms work by coupling to Gi/Go proteins, which play a major role in managing several intracellular signaling processes, as outlined in earlier research published in 2013.
The 2025 review highlighted that CBD can trigger a desensitization effect on the 5-HT1A receptor. This effect suggests CBD’s potential as a neuroprotective and antidepressant agent. However, the research also emphasizes that this interaction is highly dependent on the amount of CBD consumed, suggesting that proper serving size plays a critical role in achieving these effects.
New Insights Into CBD Absorption
In January 2025, researchers released findings revealing that what we eat plays a key role in how CBD is absorbed by the body. The study involved 12 adults ranging in age from 18 to 60 who were given CBD capsules containing 70mg of CBD about thirty minutes after consuming a meal high in fat.
According to the research, healthcare providers and CBD users should understand that taking CBD with food can significantly increase its absorption in the body. The study also emphasized that taking CBD alongside meals may help users achieve more consistent and effective results.
While the participant group was small, these early findings add to what we know about how CBD interacts with the body. They also reinforce the importance of understanding the timing and context in which hemp-derived cannabinoid products are consumed.
New Research Sheds Light on How Heat Impacts CBD
It has long been understood that THCA converts to Delta THC when exposed to heat through decarboxylation. However, a study published in February 2025 offers new insights into how CBD responds to high-temperature extraction. These new findings add valuable information to our understanding of how heat influences this popular cannabinoid.
The study reported that the degree of CBD transformation is significantly influenced by the moisture content of the hemp used for extraction. According to the researchers, this discovery is important not only for those studying hemp metabolism but also for industries creating functional foods that include CBD as an ingredient.
CBD Remains an Important Cannabinoid
There is no question that CBD continues to play a significant role in both research and product development. This new research adds to the growing body of knowledge surrounding CBD and highlights new ways it can be utilized in scientific and medical fields. While other cannabinoids have gained attention in recent years, CBD continues to maintain its place as one of the most recognized and studied compounds derived from hemp.
Ongoing studies like this one are critical to expanding our understanding of the hemp plant as a whole. Each new discovery opens the door to possibilities that may improve how CBD is used in various applications, offering potential benefits that were previously unexplored.