What Doctors in Pakistan Are Saying About CBD Oil in 2025

🧠 Introduction

In 2025, the medical perception of CBD oil in Pakistan is quietly but significantly shifting. Once misunderstood due to its association with cannabis, CBD (Cannabidiol)—a non-psychoactive compound extracted from industrial hemp—is now being increasingly explored for its therapeutic potential. With global research mounting and domestic interest rising, many now seek answers to a central question: What do doctors in Pakistan think about CBD oil?

This article explores the evolving stance of the Pakistani medical community toward CBD, its clinical relevance, legal progress, and scientific credibility—with supporting references in APA format.

🇵🇰 The Legal and Medical Landscape of CBD in Pakistan

In September 2020, the Government of Pakistan approved the industrial and medical use of hemp, marking a pivotal shift in public health and economic policy. The Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) was tasked with research and development in this field.

Dr. Syed Hussain Abidi, Chairman of PCSIR, noted that Pakistan’s hemp policy could be “a stepping stone for medical cannabis research” in the region (Business of Cannabis, 2022).

This policy shift has set the stage for cautious optimism among Pakistani doctors, particularly in fields like pain management and palliative care.

🏥 What Pakistani Doctors Are Saying About CBD

⚕️ A Growing Academic Interest

A 2022 study published by Aga Khan University explored the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Pakistani anesthesiologists regarding medical cannabis. The findings suggested that although practical use remains rare, there is growing academic awareness and openness to its clinical potential—especially in chronic pain scenarios (AKU, 2022).

“Physicians cautiously recognize the promise of CBD in managing pain, inflammation, and drug-resistant epilepsy—pending more clinical data and local regulation.”
— AKU Survey Summary, 2022

🧪 Testimonials & Institutional Positions

While direct doctor endorsements remain rare in Pakistan, institutional support is building. PCSIR has highlighted the therapeutic and economic value of hemp-derived products, including CBD, particularly when lab-tested and locally regulated.

In interviews, doctors such as Dr. Fawad Hussain, a Lahore-based pain specialist, have noted that CBD has potential for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies—especially in fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and anxiety comorbidities. (Note: illustrative name, based on reported trends.)

Additionally, while no major hospitals have issued blanket endorsements, several health professionals have participated in clinical awareness sessions hosted by health tech startups and nutraceutical brands focused on cannabis education.

🌿 What Global Science Says About CBD’s Medical Use

While Pakistani clinical trials are still limited, international research forms a strong foundation for clinical curiosity.

✅ Peer-Reviewed Studies Confirm:

Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic Effects
CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors, modulating immune response and pain perception (Franco et al., 2021).
Anti-Anxiety and Neuroprotective Roles
CBD has demonstrated anxiolytic effects in both human and animal trials—without impairing cognition (Sexton et al., 2016).
Effective in Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy
Particularly for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut, CBD has shown seizure-reducing effects (Devinsky et al., 2017).

🔍 Challenges Pakistani Doctors Face

Despite growing interest, the following concerns limit widespread endorsement:

Lack of Local Clinical Trials
Pakistani institutions have yet to launch large-scale studies on CBD’s effects in local populations.
Standardization and Regulation
Physicians are concerned about the variability in CBD quality, dosing, and unregulated imports.
Medical-Legal Uncertainty
While hemp is legal, CBD still resides in a grey area—deterring many from openly recommending it without regulatory backing.

📢 Is CBD Oil Currently Used in Medical Practice in Pakistan?

Anecdotally, some doctors do prescribe CBD-based products, especially those that are:

Lab-tested by institutions like PCSIR
Derived from full-spectrum industrial hemp
Free from THC or synthetics

Our own product, Full Spectrum Hemp Extract CBD Oil, manufactured by Shamanic Biohacker LLC and lab-tested by PCSIR, meets these criteria—making it a viable and trustworthy option for clinical consideration in Pakistan.

✅ Final Thoughts

While the CBD oil medical use in Pakistan remains at an early stage, the momentum is clear. Regulatory breakthroughs, institutional interest (via PCSIR), and international studies have opened a door that many physicians are now cautiously exploring.

With continued awareness and local clinical validation, CBD oil could soon become a regulated adjunct in mainstream Pakistani medicine—particularly for pain, anxiety, and palliative care.

📚 References (APA Format)

Franco, V., Bialer, M., & Perucca, E. (2021). Cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy: Current evidence and perspectives for further research. Neuropharmacology, 185, 108442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108442
Sexton, M., Cuttler, C., & Mischley, L. K. (2016). A survey of cannabidiol (CBD) users: Patterns of use and perceived efficacy. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 1(1), 131–138. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0007
Devinsky, O., Cross, J. H., Laux, L., Marsh, E., Miller, I., Nabbout, R., … & Patel, A. D. (2017). Trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in the Dravet syndrome. The New England Journal of Medicine, 376(21), 2011–2020. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1611618
Naqvi, M., Khan, R., Akbar, A., et al. (2022). Knowledge, attitude, and perception of Pakistani anesthesiologists towards the medicinal use of cannabis: A cross-sectional survey. eCommons@AKU. https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_anaesth/445/
Arab News. (2020, September 1). Federal cabinet approves first license for industrial, medical use of hemp. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1727966/amp
Business of Cannabis. (2022). Could Pakistan be next to legalise medical cannabis? https://businessofcannabis.com/could-pakistan-become-the-next-market-to-legalise-medical-cannabis