Can CBD and other cannabis-related compounds treat addiction?

Approximately 40,3 million American adults suffered from a substance use disorder in 2020.

Most common include alcohol use, drug use or both. However, numbers cannot express the struggle of people going through addiction, fighting every day for a better outcome. Some of these people also experience mental health issues that aggravate their addiction and are getting treatment for both problems.

The addiction issue should be approached with more care and consideration since more than $740 billion is required by the healthcare system annually for healthcare expenses, low workplace productivity and crime-related costs. However, most of the causes of addiction come down to genes, but environmental factors can increase the urge to start such habits.

Many treatments are used in the remedial process, but detoxification is the most common since it helps people heal in a safe environment. Still, not everyone is lucky enough to get proper medical care, which is why addiction worsens. Therefore, in this article, we’ll discuss the potential of CBD and other cannabis-related compounds in treating addictions that could allow people to get back on their feet.

CBD and addiction

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Despite the evidence on the effects of heavy cannabis use regarding addiction, CBD is not addictive as it’s not intoxicating. According to a report from WHO, CBD can’t be associated with abuse potential due to evidence from experimental research. It may be that CBD can even help treat addiction, especially drug-related.

Another study claimed that weed dependence could be treated with cannabidiol, and the research also included counseling sessions that would help participants focus on quitting cannabis. The conclusion is that CBD is safe, but whoever wants to try it at home should seek medical advice because over-the-counter medication might not provide the best results since it’s challenging to pinpoint the correct dosage for someone.

CBD could be used for tobacco dependence, too, due to its protective effect on stress vulnerability. However, there’s not enough evidence on the subject, and more trials are necessary. Still, conducted studies are increasing in the United States, which can provide us with some concluding results in the future.

Finally, people who go through opioid addiction could try taking CBD because some studies claim that the compound can reduce cravings, withdrawal anxiety and salivary cortisol levels. Even if further research is needed, it seems like no serious adverse effects were found, so this research could pave the way towards curing many types of addictions.

Can other cannabis compounds help with addiction?

Other medical-targeted cannabis compounds are THC and Delta-8. Compared with CBD, these two components can generate the feeling of being “high”, especially in higher dosages. However, users stated that Delta-8 has the following benefits:

• It helps calm nausea
• It boosts appetite
• It decreases pain
• It helps with mental health issues
• It can prevent some cancer-related symptoms

Given that Delta-8 is a form of THC, the advantages may be related. Some people have used Delta-8 products along with their prescription medication and noticed good outcomes, but this only works if your doctors approve of it. So, if you want to try some Delta-8, there are various products on the market. You can shop the top Delta 8 Gummies since they’re easier to consume because each gummy has a small dosage of this compound, and you can test how you feel at your pace.

What else can CBD do?

The most known CBD product is now used for treating epilepsy-related seizures. The prescription product is called Epidiolex and has been approved by the FDA to treat seizures caused by the most complex disorders: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The treatment can reduce convulsive seizures by 75% more than usual over the 14-week treatment period (regarding THE Dravet syndrome).

Other CBD health benefits include:

• Easing anxiety and depression symptoms. Consumed in moderated dosages, CBD has the ability to make people feel calmer and reduce anxiety;
• Reducing PTSD symptoms. Used along with therapy and counseling, CBD is potent enough to help people with PTSD go through treatment quickly;
• Alleviate muscle pain. The study was done for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and it seems like CBD and THC combined can minimize muscle tightness and stiffness;
• Provide neuroprotection, which helps people fight neurological diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis);
• Lessen arthritis symptoms by improving sleep and minimizing pain during movement and at rest.

Among the best CBD products are:

• Gummies since the dosage are easier to control;
• Oil because it’s taken orally, under the tongue, which makes the effects appear fast;
• Vaping is also good because of the limited amount of CBD oil in the vape;
• CBD creams are great for treating pain in a particular region;

Regarding the dosage, it’s safe to say that there’s no official certified amount that is 100% safe for everyone. The effects of taking CBD are not the same for anyone because its efficiency depends on many internal factors (overall health, age, and other complications). However, when taking CBD, starting with the smallest dosage possible is best to ensure you’re not putting your body under stress. Most products display the dosage of CBD on their etiquettes which will help you find the correct dosage that benefits you.

For example, the dosage of Epidiolex starts at 5 mg/kg daily, and it can increase to 10 mg/kg after a week. If you see no effects after taking CBD, you may ask for your doctor’s approval to try Delta-8 or THC since their results are more substantial, but dosing must be done the same way (starting from the smallest amount of the product).

Final thoughts

Addictions affect millions of people, and external events can worsen the situation (such as the pandemic) since they can make people feel less safe and protected. However, besides fighting off addictions in the traditional way, research states that one of the most promising treatment methods is using CBD to cope with and ease symptoms. Administered under a doctor’s approval, CBD and other cannabis components can help people end addiction without getting addicted to these cannabis compounds.