DRUG ADDICTION AND CBD OILS- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW-min

DRUG ADDICTION AND CBD OILS- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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CBD has been known to perform various functions, including treating different conditions. It’s said that it works on multiple neurotransmission pathways involving addiction. Several other findings indicate that it can help someone in recovery.

Cannabinoid, majorly known as CBD, has recently gained popularity due to CBD oil‘s main product. It’s among the hundreds of compounds naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. Various reports from individuals and scientific documents have revealed that CBD oil is safe, natural, and non-psychoactive. That’s why you can obtain it over the counter as medicine or supplement. A rumor also went around saying it can possibly treat symptoms related to alcohol and addiction. More research is ongoing t clear the doubts in its benefits, safety, and legality. Today we shall discuss the facts of drug addiction and CBD, but let’s start by understanding what it is exactly.

Defining CBD oil

There are tons of adverts going round and round with products beginning to flood various corners and shelves. However, more questions keep coming in, what is CBD? Well, it’s a naturally occurring compound extracted from the marijuana plant. It’s among the numerous marijuana components, which lack psychoactive elements. CBD has related components making up the active group of this plant. The components benefit the human body by acting directly to the brain cells. While CBD is known for its goodness in health, we can’t assume mentioning the brother compound, THC, that gives marijuana psychoactive properties. That’s why most CBD talks are mostly controversial. Furthermore, it’s only allowed in 11 states, with many of them providing strict rules on legality. Although tighter rules govern the existence of these products, CBD’s popularity is growing even faster because of the alleged health effects obtained. Examples of such benefits are listed below:

  • Alleviating symptoms associated with alcohol and addiction
  • Treating acne
  • Bettering heart health
  • Seizures reduction
  • Reducing anxiety and depression symptoms
  • Alleviating pain and inflammation
  • Easing cancer symptoms
  • Managing diabetes

The above are a few CBD effects as reported by users and other studies. Nevertheless, more clinical tests are needed to confirm the rumors. Even the Food and Drugs Administration, FDA hasn’t authorized the use of CBD. It advises users to take caution when consuming these products due to the unknown side effects. But, this warning doesn’t make the public hesitant in trying out CBD. The same is done by people wishing to recover from addiction.

Can CBD oil help in addiction?

Of the many famous talks concerning CBD use is the direct impact on people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. Well, we can’t hide the fact that the compound is derived from the popular marijuana- an illegal drug in the US. Despite CBD having a non-psychoactive influence like THC, we still aren’t sure about its side effects. It’s possible that CBD can alleviate symptoms associated with addiction and recovery from drugs. However, there’s no study coming out clear to confirm it. Research may have proven how effective the substance is in treating epileptic symptoms, but few studies have concluded its effects on drug addiction and alcohol recovery.

Let’s take an example of a study on heroin addiction and CBD oil. In the past few decades, heroin has become widely used in the United States, resulting in an opioid addiction epidemic. Currently, you’ll see several heroin treatments available in the region. The research had clinical tests to see whether CBD can decrease anxiety and drug craving. They sampled out individuals who had recently abstained from the drug. Notably, most of them got recruitment via adverts, most of which reported that they preferred intranasal heroin use. A good number said they’d used close to 10 heroin bags for at least 10 years. About 70% of these participants had stopped using for less than a month.

From the clinical trial, 42 people were randomly picked for the test. They were given CBD medication in two different ways (high and low doses), whereas others were placebo. Every participant either got 400 or 800 mg of CBD or a placebo. It was administered once daily for three days. Afterward, they got cued with the drug to analyze their reaction- check any signs associated with opioid relapse. Apart from finding out the medication’s effects on opioid craving, they also checked anxiety symptoms, such as positive or negative feelings. Examples of such signs are blood pressure, skin temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate. They also checked the salivary cortisol levels that measure stress reaction.

In the findings, those medicated with the non-psychoactive substance CBD showed a reduction in anxiety for seven days after consuming the medication. They reported less hunger for the drug after exposure to heroin, as likened to people given a placebo. Again, of the group receiving CBD, some were given a lower dose also showed less craving for the drug than the placebo group. CBD further helped individuals show stress response measures after the drug signal, including salivary cortisol increases and heart rate. People dosed with CBD demonstrated less anxiety with exposure to heroin as compared to those given placebo. But in this case, there wasn’t a big difference between individuals receiving lower and high CBD amounts.

Positively, some signs in a few other studies demonstrate CBD’s effectiveness in stopping smoking and decreasing the urge for nicotine. While we’ve got some light shed on breaking cravings for drugs, nobody can tell the reduction in dosage. Additionally, the side effects coming with this benefit are unknown. It’s also the reason why doctors shun prescribing CBD doses because of no overall guidance on its administration.

The bottom line

There’s more to learn about cannabidiol’s benefits and side effects, including more clinical tests and research for comprehensive information on how the compound can be useful or destructive to humans. That should also include addiction to drugs and alcohol. Concrete details should be explored to understand if CBD is good for individuals trying to recover from a certain habit. Advisably, before ingesting any product infused with CBD, please consult a medical practitioner to know if it’d be beneficial. By doing so, you’ be guided on the dosage and progress checked.

Ksenia Sobchak

Ksenia Sobchak, BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Fashion Journalism, Central Saint Martins

Ksenia Sobchak enjoys blogging on fashion, style, lifestyle, love and CBD areas. Prior to becoming a blogger, Ksenia worked for a renowned fashion brand. Ksenia is a contributing author to leading fashion, lifestyle and CBD magazines and blogs. You can bump into Ksenia at her favourite cafe in South Kensington where she has written most blogs. Ksenia is a staunch advocate of CBD and its benefits to people. Ksenia is also on the panel of CBD reviewers at CBD Life Mag and Chill Hempire. Her favourite form of CBD are CBD gummies and CBD tinctures. Ksenia is a regular contributor at leading fashion, lifestyle as well as CBD magazines and blogs.

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