Courtney Love reveals how CBD saved her life

Courtney Love has shared how CBD oil helped her recover from severe anemia

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: Courtney Love attends the Tom Ford FW 2019 Arrivals during New York Fashion Week: The Shows on February 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)

Courtney Love has opened up about her use of medicinal cannabis to treat her anemia, hailing the holistic drug as ‘magic.’ 

The Hole singer, whose history with substance abuse and addiction has been widely publicized, took to Instagram on Sunday to share an update on her current health struggles with her 1m followers. 

“People, I’ve been sad and extremely sick,” she revealed. She went on to detail the severity of her condition, admitting that she has been ‘debilitated’ by ‘indescribable pain.’ The rockstar added that she almost died from anemia when her weight dropped to 97 pounds last August. “Hemoglobin I had none,” she explained. 

Anemia, an iron deficiency commonly marked by low hemoglobin levels in the blood, can cause a multitude of problems, including fatigue, headache, and dizziness. 

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The 56-year-old musician said that, although she has finally found relief from her ailments, her journey back to health has been far from easy. “I was stigmatized for being an addict for 9 months by many ill-equipped doctors, backwards doctors, and quacks,”  she wrote. 

However, she was able to take some major steps towards recovery when she ‘met the most empathetic wise pain management' doctor. The practitioner, who remains unidentified, introduced Courtney to CBD oil - a natural remedy famous for its pain-relieving properties. The supplement is also commonly used for sleeping problems like insomnia, especially by those who'd prefer to avoid pharmaceutical medication. 

“I’m so good now,” she said, before revealing that the drug has ‘removed ALMOST ALL the physical symptoms,' as well as the ‘pain.’ 

The former wife of Kurt Cobain, who maintains that she is still ‘100% sober’, admitted that she hasn’t always been a fan of the hemp-derived drug. 

“I used to scoff at cannabis/THC,” she said, referring to tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound present in cannabis. 

MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 23: Courtney Love is seen backstage ahead of the Philipp Plein show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 on September 23, 2015 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by S. Alemdar/Getty Images)

Courtney has struggled with drug addiction in the past.

(Image credit: S. Alemdar/Getty Images)

Courtney still dislikes ‘the weed feeling’ but insists this is different. “This isn’t that. It’s woman and nature supporting us. It’s magic,” she wrote. 

She even thanked actor Woody Harrelson, her The People Vs. Larry Flynt co-star, recalling the time he showed her the '67 uses of hemp'. While she may have been skeptical before, she now sees that he had a point. “You were right!”

As for the future, Courtney reassured fans that she is looking forward to helping others battling chronic and acute pain once she has restored her health. “Bear with me as I start to try and have a blast and help others every pain-free day!!!” she said. 

Courtney acknowledged that she is currently ‘frail’ but hopes to be ‘strong again soon.’ The candid post garnered plenty of positive responses, with many fans sharing their own CBD experiences with the iconic singer. 

“You are right about CBD oil. That stuff is amazing. Congrats on your sobriety as well. And stay well,” one follower posted. 

“Yes!!!! I work for a dispensary, and I hear so many patients tell stories of how CBD has completely changed their quality of life!” another fan wrote. 

Courtney added several tags to her post, including #chronsdisease, suggesting the singer may have experienced the condition herself. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.