A growing body of scientific research is painting a promising picture of CBD’s therapeutic benefits. Various studies have shown CBD may possess anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and chronic pain-relieving properties.
Cannabis legalization has caught pace worldwide. The United States, Canada, Australia, and many other nations have greenlit CBD products for commercial use. In Canada, the Cannabis act paved the way for the widespread dissemination of both hemp and marijuana-based products throughout the country in 2019.
In the US, the FDA has approved the sale and distribution of CBD products containing less than .3% of THC. Many South American Countries, such as Brazil and Chile, have also loosened regulations against CBD oil imports. Chile, in particular, has already laid the foundations of many full-scale medical marijuana programs.
Despite this global acceptance of CBD products, questions surrounding its addictive potential remain unresolved. This is because CBD is often confused with THC, another cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis.
THC is a psychotropic substance and causes a high. It is also known to induce negative psychological effects, such as hallucination and delirium. On the other hand, CBD is not only non-psychoactive; it also helps to counteract the euphoric effects of THC by blocking its access to certain receptors in the central nervous system.
Is CBD Oil Addictive?
NO.
As already mentioned above, CBD doesn’t induce a high unlike THC. Therefore, it doesn’t have any potential for substance abuse. A 2017 study analyzed the scientific authenticity of a previous study in which researchers gave high doses of CBD to participants. The result? CBD showed no likelihood of abuse.
Another 2011 study found CBD to have an excellent safety profile compared to other cannabinoids, such as THC. The study revealed that CBD was well tolerated even at extremely unrealistic and high doses (more than 1500mg). On the other hand, THC was shown to affect psychological activity, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
Because the CBD industry is largely unregulated, some CBD products may contain dangerous levels of THC. Any product containing more than .3% of THC is illegal, according to the FDA. Make sure the CBD you’re buying is extracted from hemp and not Marijuana. Hemp-derived CBD contains little to no THC.
It’s possible to use a CBD/THC hybrid product and avail the therapeutic effects of CBD while skirting THC’s negative effects. Full-spectrum CBD products provide this option. In these, CBD and THC have a synergistic relationship called the entourage effect, which amplifies the therapeutic side of cannabis and subdues its psychoactive or harmful component. In a 2010 study, a combo of THC and CBD was more effective at treating cancer-related symptoms than THC alone.
Can CBD Help Fight Addiction?
Research indicates that CBD may help curb withdrawal symptoms of tobacco, Marijuana, and other drugs. In a 2013 review, a woman experiencing withdrawal symptoms reported a significant improvement in her condition after taking CBD for ten days.
Scientific investigation has also demonstrated how CBD oil could balk the addiction of tobacco and opioids. A 2013 study explored the effect of CBD on tobacco addiction. Researchers administered CBD and placebo to seasoned tobacco smokers. Those who took CBD reduced the usage of cigarettes by 40%, whereas those who took the placebo had no change in their habit.
In an animal-based study, Researchers administers CBD gel to rats with established addictions to both cocaine and alcohol. The rodents showed a significant reduction in substance abuse and reported less severe withdrawal symptoms of their respective drug dependencies.
Human clinical trials have also shed light on CBD’s ability to fight addiction. A 2019 study found CBD to curb cravings resulting from heroin addiction. Researchers gave 42 participants of the study CBD and the rest placebo. The CBD group reported having reduced cravings and anxiety associated with substance abuse.
CBD Oil Side Effects
While CBD is well-established as a safe compound, it’s still important to practice caution. One thing you need to keep in mind is CBD’s side effects. These include:
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Fatigue
The only CBD-based pharmaceutical-grade drug, Epidiolex, was linked with liver damage. However, researchers questioned the findings of the study, making this revelation. First, Epidiolex only produced negative side effects at unrealistic doses. Second, the study results were based on animal models, and therefore not necessarily translatable in humans.
Most of CBD’s side effects share a common thread with hemp oil side effects. This is even though hemp-derived products don’t contain THC in dangerous concentrations. That said, CBD’s negative effects are minimal and easily manageable. Furthermore, the compound doesn’t pose any serious substance abuse potential. Withdrawal effects, if any, fade away without causing a major inconvenience. It’s still best-advised to practice caution and consult your doctor before taking CBD for medical or recreational purposes.
CBD and Drug Interactions
People who are on prescription drugs should especially talk to their healthcare provider before consuming CBD. CBD may interfere with the CYP450 enzyme system, which is pivotal in processing the metabolic breakdown of almost 60% of pharmaceutical drugs available today.
CBD may reduce these medications’ efficacy, thus leading to a dangerous buildup of harmful chemicals in the body. You should especially steer clear from CBD use if you’re taking a drug that has a grapefruit warning label. These include:
- alprazolamamiodarone
- atorvastatin
- carbamazepine
- cilostazol
- clarithromycin
- colchicine
- dronedarone
- erythromycin
- felodipine
- fentanyl
- fentanyl transdermal system
- fexofenadine
- indinavir
- loratadine
- losartan
Final Thoughts on CBD for Substance Abuse
If you’re worried CBD will cause you to develop a bad drug habit, then your fears are unfounded. The FDA has not listed CBD as a controlled substance. Instead, the regulatory authority has allowed its use as a health supplement. Make sure the company you’re buying your CBD oil from is reputable and transparent. Check whether the company supports third-party lab testing and publishes lab reports on its website. This is important to sidestep subpar products with harmful contaminants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other additives in their composition. Some CBD products may not contain any CBD at all and may just be vitamins and minerals. So, it’s important to do your homework.
