The CBD industry has undergone unprecedented growth in the past 4 years, with increasing levels of acceptance regarding its legitimacy and efficacy, across many levels of society.
This has led to an explosion in innovation of CBD products and delivery methods. From CBD vapes, to CBD tampons and beyond, the world is going CBD crazy. The rich and famous are no different and this article highlights 12 celebrities who regularly take CBD for health benefits.
Before we kick off with our list, let us ascertain exactly what CBD is.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of over 500 compounds that make up the cannabis plant.
The cannabis plant itself is an incredibly complex one from a molecular standpoint and the properties of these myriad compounds still require a great deal of research to be uncovered.
CBD is often confused with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the key psychoactive compound found within the cannabis plant. THC is the compound that causes the ‘high’ that is typically associated with smoking cannabis.
CBD is different, however. This is a non-psychoactive compound that does not alter our state of consciousness yet retains a glut of powerful therapeutic benefits. These range from pain relief, to reducing anxiety and even aiding sleep.
Cannacares are one of the fastest growing CBD companies in Europe and possess a whole range of medically certified products, including CBD vapes and vegan-friendly CBD topical products. They are also the UK’s biggest sellers of CBD patches, which are an extremely convenient and cost-efficient delivery method. The patch is applied to the top of the arm or inside of the wrist and provides a consistent dose of CBD across a 24-hour period. Rinse and repeat!
Now we have that covered, let us begin with the list of 12 famous celebrities who take CBD oil.
Whoopi Goldberg
Multi-talented American comedian, actor, TV host and author Whoopi Goldberg is one of the world’s most famous backers of CBD and Cannabis. In fact she believes in CBD so much that she formed her own CBD and medical cannabis brand in 2016 called Whoopi & Maya. Although it recently closed its doors, the company was targeted and providing relief to middle aged women for a variety of ailments including menopausal discomfort and nerve pain.
In terms of her own CBD usage, Whoopi has gone on record to state that she uses CBD oil daily in order to manage her glaucoma, reduce pain and relieve stress.
Tom Hanks
Hollywood actor and producer Tom Hanks has shown a keen interest in CBD and highlighted its benefits numerous times in the press. Further to this, he also teamed up with Cornell University student Heather Pyces to investigate the effects of CBD on those with type 2 diabetes.
He was recently quoted as saying that “The first time I ever tried CBD was to help sooth my anxiety. So I gave CBD oil a try. It was a huge relief for me to feel like myself, yet the edge was gone. A bonus to the whole thing was the relief from various aches and pains I have. Especially the arthritis in my knees. It immediately alleviated 90% of my pain.” High praise indeed!
Kim Kardashian
Billionaire American socialite, model and businesswoman, Kim Kardashian is one of the most popular CBD advocates across the globe. Boasting over 270 million followers on Instagram, she has been known to regularly shout about the benefits of CBD. In fact, she even hosted a CBD-themed baby shower for her son Psalm West!
Kim Kardashian has gone on record to say that she frequently uses CBD gummies in order to improve her sleeping, while she cannot get enough of CBD cosmetic products, such as face creams and serums. In 2019 she stated “Anyone that knows me knows I am obsessed with CBD everything!”
Jennifer Aniston
Age-defying American sweetheart Jennifer Aniston, catapulted to fame by her performances in hit sitcom Friends, must be one of the most-loved supporters of CBD.
Aniston told US weekly that “CBD helps with pain, stress and anxiety. It has all the benefits of marijuana without the high.” She also went on to state that CBD has shown her there is nothing but hope, even during the most trying of times.
Morgan Freeman
Unfortunately for the universally popular Hollywood star Morgan Freeman, it was a close shave with death that prompted him to explore the world of CBD. Having developed Fibromyalgia as a result of a near fatal car crash in 2008, Freeman was ravaged by fatigue and chronic pain for years after the incident.
Thankfully Freeman discovered the power of cannabis-based products which have provided him with significant relief in the years since. Consequently, he has become a major advocate for plant-based medicine – namely CBD.
Snoop Dogg
Would any cannabis-centric list be complete without legendary Long Beach rapper Snoop Dogg? There was no way we could leave him out!
His love for cannabis is the stuff of legend and he is certainly no wallflower when it comes to promoting its benefits. Not only does he have his own cannabis company ‘Leafs by Snoop’ that was started in 2015, but he is also a stakeholder in Canopy Growth, one of Canada’s most prominent cannabis companies.
Under the label of Canopy he has launched a line of CBD products in conjunction with Martha Stewart. He also has his very own CBD product line, called ‘3D CBD’.
Gwyneth Paltrow
American actress-cum-entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow regularly promotes the use of CBD through her lifestyle brand Goop. While vagina-scented and orgasm-scented Goop candles will unsurprisingly seize the limelight, the bran also provides a raft of useful information on CBD.
This includes the experiences of a first-time user, endorsement of CBD bath bombs and CBD cocktails. She has also gone on record to describe cannabis as “the hero ingredient of the future.” In 2020 she also made an investment in Cann, a CBD infused beverage company.
Seth Rogen
Much like his good friend Snoop Dogg earlier in the list, Seth Rogen’s love for cannabis and CBD is no secret.
He has been interested in CBD specifically for a number of years, specifically in how the versatile cannabinoid can be used to benefit sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease.
At times he has even handed out his own medical advice! A Twitter user was complaining about restless leg, when Rogen replied directly “Try CBD.” Well… what’s to lose?!
Megan Rapinoe
Women’s soccer megastar Megan Rapinoe is undoubtedly one of CBD’s fiercest advocates. In fact, the 2019 player of the year’s first sponsorship deal after winning the 2019 FIFA World Cup was with a CBD brand.
In a recent interview, she stated that “CBD has become part of my all-natural recovery system that I use throughout the day to help with pain and inflammation, stabilize my mood and get better sleep. Instead of taking Advil or other pain management meds, I’ve almost exclusively substituted with CBD products.”
She has also acknowledged the need for wider education surrounding cannabis, particularly in professional sporting environments and has been quoted as saying “There needs to be greater education so athletes can make an informed decision.”
Mike Tyson
Arguably one of the most feared heavyweight boxers of all time and certainly one of the most controversial, Mike Tyson has become a major backer of cannabis since retiring in 2005.
Like most boxers, he left the sport with a battered body that required multiple surgeries. As a result he has claimed “I’ve been fighting for over 20 years, and my body has a lot of wear and tear, I had two surgeries and I used marijuana to calm my nerves, and it would take the pain away”.
He recently launched his own CBD brand named CopperGel, who specialise in roll-on pain relief products.
James Haskell
Former England, Wasps and Northampton Saints rugby union player, James Haskell arguably gained more fame after appearing on “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” in 2019 than he did for any sporting achievements! He is a keen health nut who has had three fitness books published as well as running a gym in Bath.
Haskell has regularly shouted about CBD as a useful supplement in maintaining high levels of fitness in elite sport. He has set up a joint venture with fellow RFU professional Ben Franks, who stated “We like to take CBD both in the morning and evening or before and after training sessions. It has definitely supported both of our intense Rugby careers.”
Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff MBE
Former English cricketing hero Freddie Flintoff MBE was one of the nation’s most popular players it has ever produced. He has since experienced a great deal of broadcast success on both TV and radio, as well as recently becoming the face of BBC automotive staple, Top Gear.
He has admitted to struggling mentally and physically, both during his playing career and after – it is something he has frequently spoken openly about. Thankfully he has found a way in which CBD can support him – interestingly through butter! He has gone on record stating “CBD oil nut butter. This is so good!”
Conclusion
While many of us hate to admit it, there is no doubt that a vast majority of us are influenced by choices made by celebrities – particularly regarding health trends.
There are no doubt far more celebrity users of CBD, but they perhaps feel uncomfortable speaking out due to the continuing misplaced stigma. There is no doubt that education is the biggest hurdle for the CBD industry to overcome.
As more research is conducted across the globe and dated attitudes slowly change, the CBD craze shows no signs of slowing down. The potential benefits are endless!