Do You Know How to Use CBD Oil for Treating Addiction and Withdrawal?

CBD has been popular in treating and dealing with different health conditions. It has also been studied for reducing substance addiction and withdrawal. This article looks at the benefits of using CBD oil to deal with withdrawal and how one can use it.

Substance abuse is one of the most common problems in the world today. Finding a way out can be difficult for those in the situation. Addiction and withdrawal symptoms make it even harder for addicts to stop drug abuse. Support groups, therapy, and medications have been used to help people withdraw from alcohol and substance abuse. Recently a chemical from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD), has been used to help with withdrawal. The effectiveness of the drug in handling withdrawal symptoms like stress, anxiety and depression has made it a subject of multiple studies.

 How does it work? This article covers the use of CBD oil to treat addiction and withdrawal.

Is CBD Addictive?

When someone comes across the term cannabis, they might think of marijuana and getting high. Marijuana is a species of the cannabis plant, but there are different compounds present in cannabis plants. The most known and researched cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound responsible for the high effect. The second most known compound is Cannabidiol, CBD, which is not psychoactive. CBD is not addictive, and users are not at risk of developing cannabis dependency. The cannabis derivative is present in the marijuana and hemp plants. Hemp-based CBD has been approved for medicinal and therapeutic use if it contains less than 0.3% THC. 

Pellati et al. (2018) pointed out that CBD has antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, making it beneficial for many health conditions. It can help reduce pain, inflammation, stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Also, cannabis helps deal with arthritis, epilepsy, skin eczema, and psoriasis. It is also be used to alleviate nausea and other cancer treatment side effects. Prud'homme, Cata &Jutras-Aswad (2015) showed that CBD could treat drug withdrawal symptoms and suppress addiction. 

Substance Abuse

Drug abuse is characterized by a compulsive desire to consume drugs and loss of control over consumption. This is despite the negative consequences of drug use. Quintero (2013) explained that the glutamate and dopamine system reinforces the effects of drugs and the prolonged effects of relapse. The endocannabinoid system regulates reward and influences one to keep seeking the drugs. Some people relapse after withdrawing from drugs for a while. They might find it hard to deal with withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety. 

Benefits of CBD Oil for Addiction and Withdrawal

CBD is available as edibles, vapes, topicals, and tinctures. Cannabis oil has a few benefits that make it suitable for addiction and withdrawal. These include;

Preventing Relapse

Prud'homme, Cata & Jutras-Aswad (2015) studied animals addicted to cocaine and alcohol and found that CBD helped prevent relapse and eliminate addiction-related behaviors. More studies on CBD and preventing relapse, especially in humans, need to be done. Learn more about how can cbd oil help in liver disease management?

CBD for Insomnia and Anxiety

Anxiety and insomnia are common symptoms of drug withdrawal. This may be due to the pressure of quitting, fear of relapsing, and self-destructive behaviors. If one finds a way to deal with anxiety and insomnia, one will have a clear mind to see things through and successfully withdraw from drugs. Sales et al. (2018) explained that CBD activates a receptor that boosts serotonin levels in the brain. This leads to a feeling of calm without the effects of drugs. Shannon et al. (2019) explained that calmness, reduced anxiety, and relaxation from CBD would make one easily fall asleep.

Using CBD for Addiction and Withdrawal

Prud'homme, Cata & Jutras-Aswad (2015) expounded on the studies done on humans and animals on the effect of CBD on cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, and opioids. These studies show that CBD positively affects the endocannabinoid system in dealing with a drug craving, drug-seeking behavior, withdrawal, and relapse. More studies need to be done on how CBD influences addictive behavior in the body and its potential to deal with addiction. Learn more about how cbd oil fights allergy symptoms?

Type of CBD Product

There are different CBD products one can use when dealing with withdrawal. One important thing to do is to consult with one's healthcare provider to ensure that CBD will not interfere with other medications one may be using. CBD oil can be available in edibles such as gummies or vapes for those who like smoking. The cannabis products can work differently on individuals, and one should be patient to find the right one.

Dosage

There is no universal dosage amount. CBD works differently on people depending on their metabolism rate and weight. It is advised that one starts with a small dosage and increases gradually. Most CBD oil products have a recommended serving size depending on the size of the container and the strength of the CBD present.

Buying CBD Oil

 To buy a quality product, one should check the ingredients to ensure there are no artificial additives. It is also wise to ensure that the product has the legal amount of THC. Manufacturers should source CBD oil from the naturally grown hemp plant for maximum benefits without intoxication. A third-party company should also verify the product for objectivity.

Conclusion

Addiction and withdrawal are challenging issues for drug users. Most addicts are in groups, therapy, and mediation, but from time to time, they relapse. CBD acts on the body system to reduce the urge to take drugs. It also reduces the stress and insomnia that come with withdrawing from drugs. One should choose their preferred method of administering CBD; in whatever method, start with a low dosage. Shopping for a CBD product should be done carefully to check the ingredients, potency, and brand reputation.

References

Pellati, F., Borgonetti, V., Brighenti, V., Biagi, M., Benvenuti, S., &Corsi, L. (2018). Cannabis sativa L. and nonpsychoactive cannabinoids: their chemistry and role against oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. BioMed research international, 2018.

Prud'homme, M., Cata, R., &Jutras-Aswad, D. (2015). Cannabidiol as an intervention for             addictive behaviors: a systematic review of the evidence. Substance abuse: research         and treatment, 9, SART-S25081.

Quintero, G. C. (2013). Role of nucleus accumbens glutamatergic plasticity in drug           addiction. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 9, 1499.

Sales, A. J., Crestani, C. C., Guimarães, F. S., &Joca, S. R. (2018). Antidepressant-like         effect induced by cannabidiol is dependent on brain serotonin levels. Progress in            Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 86, 255-261.

Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a             large case series. The Permanente Journal, 23.