Natural Products and Chronic Pain: What a New Veteran Survey Reveals
Chronic pain remains one of the most significant health challenges facing U.S. veterans. Up to 60% of veterans report living with at least one chronic pain condition. When chronic pain is combined with mental health concerns such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression, the risk of opioid use and dependence can increase substantially.
A recent pilot study published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health offers new insights into how veterans are using natural products to manage pain and improve their overall well-being. The findings reveal widespread use of supplements, herbal products, and cannabis — often alongside or in place of conventional medications.
Understanding the Study
Researchers surveyed 52 veterans receiving care through the Veterans Administration (VA). Participants, with an average age of 57.6 years, completed a detailed questionnaire about their use of natural products over the previous 30 days.
The survey examined types of natural products used, frequency and duration of use, reasons for use, beliefs about safety and effectiveness, concerns regarding interactions and side effects, and communication with healthcare providers.
Products evaluated included vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, fish oil, cannabis products, home remedies, and other non-prescription health products.
Chronic Pain and Mental Health Challenges
The survey highlighted the significant burden many veterans face daily. Among participants, 88% reported moderate to severe pain every day, 67% were using non-opioid pain medications, 15% were using opioids alongside other medications, and 17% were not taking any pain medication at all.
Mental health concerns were also common: 44% screened positive for PTSD, 63% showed signs of moderate depression, and 35% reported moderate to severe anxiety. These findings reinforce the complex relationship between chronic pain and mental health among veterans.
Natural Product Use Is Widespread
Nearly all participants reported using natural products regularly. On average, veterans used four to five different products each month, while 17% reported using eight or more. Most participants used these products daily and had been doing so for at least six months.
The most common reasons for use included general health and wellness (98%), pain and mobility issues (63%), sleep support (58%), and stress management (40%).
Most Popular Natural Products
The survey identified several products that veterans commonly used:
| Natural Product | Percentage of Users |
| Vitamin D | 67% |
| Multivitamins | 61% |
| Cannabis | 40% |
| Magnesium | 36% |
| Green Tea | 36% |
| Fish Oil/Omega-3 | 33% |
| Melatonin | 33% |
When it came specifically to pain management, cannabis was the leading choice.
Top Products Used for Pain Relief:
Cannabis (33%), Magnesium (13%), Multivitamins (12%), Turmeric (12%), and Capsaicin (12%).
These findings suggest that many veterans are actively seeking complementary approaches to pain relief beyond traditional pharmaceuticals.
Cannabis Plays a Significant Role
Among cannabis users, most preferred products containing both CBD and THC. Their primary reasons for use included pain relief (81%), sleep support (62%), PTSD or anxiety symptoms (43%), stress management (43%), and depression (29%).
The results indicate that veterans often view cannabis as a multifunctional tool for managing both physical and emotional symptoms.
Cost and Access Remain Barriers
One of the most striking findings was the strong interest in broader access to natural products. An overwhelming 92% of participants said they would use natural products more frequently if they were covered by the VA or health insurance.
Common barriers included high costs (31%), lack of availability through the VA (27%), and limited support from healthcare providers (6%).
Additionally, nearly 30% of participants reported using natural products in place of pain medications, often replacing NSAIDs, acetaminophen, nerve pain medications, and antidepressants.
The Communication Gap
Despite widespread use, communication with healthcare providers about natural products remains limited. While 98% of veterans believed it was important to discuss natural product use with their providers, only about half had actually done so. Among those who did, most described their providers as supportive or neutral.
Participants also held mixed beliefs about safety: 27% believed natural products were safe because they are sold over the counter, 39% believed they were safe because they are “natural,” and 55% felt they were less harmful than prescription medications. However, more than half expressed concern about potential interactions between natural products and prescription drugs or other supplements.
Key Takeaways
This study highlights an important reality: many veterans are actively using vitamins, supplements, herbal products, and cannabis to manage chronic pain and related health conditions — yet a significant communication gap persists between patients and healthcare providers. Many veterans are making treatment decisions independently, sometimes substituting natural products for prescribed medications without professional guidance.
The findings underscore the need for more open discussions about natural product use in clinical settings, better education for healthcare providers, increased research into safety and effectiveness, and improved access to evidence-based integrative therapies.
As natural products become an increasingly common part of pain management strategies, ensuring that veterans have access to reliable information and supportive healthcare conversations will be essential for promoting safer, more personalized care.
Reference
Seal KH, Feinberg T, Moore L, Woodruff NA, Purcell N, Bertenthal D, McCamish N, Becker WR. Natural product use for chronic pain: A new survey of patterns of use, beliefs, concerns, and disclosure to providers. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health. Published February 27, 2025.