Is it Possible to Use CBD Oil to Stop Smoking?

Is it Possible to Use CBD Oil to Stop Smoking?

Smoking marijuana or tobacco is addictive, and once hooked, it is challenging for individuals to quit. Some suggested ways of quitting include avoiding triggers, nicotine replacement therapy, getting physical or working out, practicing yoga, and joining a support group. These methods suggest that one should avoid being idle. Some people turn to the consumption of CBD oil to avoid smoking. It is believed that CBD oil is safer than smoking. This article highlights the connection between quitting smoking and CBD oil.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis plants. The cannabis plant family is made of many plants, but the most famous is cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Cannabis sativa or marijuana has high THC levels than CBD. THC is the compound that gives one a high feeling. Contrastingly, cannabis indica or hemp plant has a higher CBD level than THC. The hemp plant is used in the commercial production of CBD products like CBD oils& tinctures, CBD gummies, or CBD softgels because of the higher CBD. Also, marijuana is illegal in many countries and states.

In the industrial production of CBD oil, the CBD is extracted from the hemp plant through methods like solvent extraction and CO2 extraction method. This method is common and safer. The CBD is available in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. Full-spectrum has all the hemp plant terpenes, including 0.3%THC, broad-spectrum has all the terpenes except THC, while isolate is pure CBD.

Does CBD Help in Quitting Smoking?

According to research, CBD can relieve conditions and symptoms like pain, anxiety, inflammation, or depression. CBD has also been claimed to help people who want to quit smoking. CBD is used to curb the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. Like any addiction, quitting a drug leads to withdrawal symptoms like headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and irritability. These symptoms may go on for a while, increasing the urge to smoke again. CBD binds the endocannabinoid system receptors like CB1 receptors, which influence mood, sleep, and the reward system. Therefore, CBD maintains the body’s cannabinoids, reducing withdrawal symptoms. Also, research suggests that anxiety can increase after one quits smoking. CBD is claimed to reduce anxiety, to help those who quit smoking have an easier withdrawal time.

Why Quit Smoking?

According to research, some of the risks associated with smoking include;

Cancer

Tobacco and cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Smoke, especially tobacco smoke, has more poisonous chemicals, most of which are linked to cancers like oral and lung cancer.

Respiratory Diseases

Also, smoking can cause respiratory diseases such as  COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema by damaging airways and air sacs in the lungs. Tobacco can be an asthma trigger for smokers with asthma and can cause worse asthmatic attacks.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Smokers are more likely to have cardiovascular diseases than non-smokers. Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and blood vessels. Stroke and coronary heart disease are the leading causes of death among smokers. Also, smoking increases the heartbeat rate, causing high blood pressure due to thickening and narrowing veins.

Reproductive Issues

In women, tobacco smoking can damage the reproductive system, making it difficult to get pregnant. This is because some chemicals in tobacco, like nicotine, speed up egg loss. In men, smoking causes the risk of erectile dysfunction. The mobility and quality of sperm are also affected.  It may result in complications like ectopic pregnancy or even infant death syndrome for pregnant smokers.

Conclusion

Smoking is harmful to active and passive smokers. Due to the dangers associated with smoking, most people try to quit smoking. Some claim that CBD oil can help them quit smoking. However, more research is needed to connect CBD oil and quitting smoking. CBD products should not be considered the only choice in dealing with addiction. To deal with withdrawal symptoms, consider a psychologist for professional help.

Ieva Kubiliute
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Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

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