Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that is usually extracted from the hemp strain of the Cannabis Sativa plant. In recent years, CBD has gained popularity and is widely viewed as an effective cure for a wide range of health conditions, including anxiety, pain, inflammation, and epilepsy.
According to a recent study, CBD may be useful in fighting opioid addiction, but what if you are addicted to nicotine, alcohol, or any other substance of abuse? Can CBD help you kick an addiction?
What is Addiction?
To understand if CBD can treat addiction, it may be useful to take a look at what addiction is. According to the American Psychiatric Association, addiction is a “complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence.”
Addiction is a brain dysfunction that involves reward, motivation, and memory. If you suffer from addiction, you will typically be unable to stop your addictive behavior, have a stronger desire for the substance or behavior than someone who is not addicted, and you will have a dismissive attitude about the problems your addiction may cause.
Many people suffer from some form of addiction, and this phenomenon is partly because of the brain’s frontal lobes, which allow a person to postpone feelings of reward or gratification. If a person becomes addicted, the frontal lobes give the person instant gratification.
If a person is addicted to a substance or behavior, the cingulate cortex acumens increase the feeling of pleasure a person derives from engaging in certain acts or consuming addictive substances.
Another cause of addiction is a chemical imbalance in the brain or mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorders.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound from the cannabis plant that is classified as a phytocannabinoid. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD is non-psychoactive, and consuming it will not result in feelings of euphoria.
CBD is not psychoactive because it doesn’t interact with receptors in the central nervous system. This cannabinoid does, however, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to boost the production of the body’s cannabinoids.
Why is CBD Treatment for Addiction a Possibility?
In addition to interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system and receptors in the immune system, cannabidiol is also believed to modulate the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory, behavior, and learning.
According to studies, CBD consumption can result in a reduction in the self-administration of drugs and drug-seeking behavior. The reason for this effect is not apparent, as research on CBD is far from complete. There are, however, hypotheses that the reduction in addictive behavior the result of cannabidiol’s modulation of the hippocampus.
Another reason why CBD may be useful in treating addiction is that it has a relaxing effect on the mind and body. This effect takes away the incentive to engage in addictive behavior.
This all being said, it’s important to keep an eye out for legitimate CBD oil brands. There are plenty of companies trying to sell low-quality CBD oil, and often times, the products labeled as “CBD oil” contain no CBD oil at all. Try Royal CBD out if you’re looking for reliable, pure CBD oil. Royal CBD has a line of CBD vape oils that are to die for – my personal favorite is their strawberry CBD vape.
CBD Concerns
If you are addicted to a substance or behavior, CBD may help you kick your addiction. There are, however, important considerations. The first is that you should only consume CBD from hemp. CBD that is extracted from marijuana can be addictive and will not help you kick your addiction. CDB from marijuana may also be illegal in your state.
If you are currently on medication, consult with your doctor to determine if consuming CBD is safe. Cannabidiol may interact with other medicines you are taking to trigger unwanted physiological or psychological effects.
Side effects of CBD consumption include nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite and mood, dizziness, dry mouth, and diarrhea. Generally speaking, side effects are mild and, according to the World Health Organization, CBD is safe for consumption.
