Author: Gary Jackson
CBD Addiction: Is Cannabidiol CBD Addictive?
However, studies suggest that CBD is an effective treatment for rare, severe forms of childhood epilepsy. Current evidence also suggests CBD may help reduce anxiety and chronic pain. Researchers, healthcare professionals, and academics continue to explore the potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a cannabinoid and one of over 400 chemical compounds present in the Cannabis sativa plant.
As previously mentioned, CBD exercises its effects via several neural mechanisms relevant to addictive disorders. Its action on the ECBS as a weak inverse agonist on CB1 receptors has been suggested to play a role in substance-use disorder, but other mechanisms are also involved. Ren et al studied the postmortem brain of rats and found that CBD normalized the heroin-induced changes in CB1 receptor mRNA expression and AMPA GluR1 in the nucleus accumbens, even after 2 weeks of treatment. This suggests a long-term impact on neural mechanisms relevant to opioid relapse.26 Moreover, the fact that CBD inhibits the reuptake and hydrolysis of AEA could explain some of its potential effects on cannabis withdrawal syndrome and other addictive processes.
Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Addictive?
While it is possible to try and use the substance without becoming addicted, that is not the case for everyone. There are risks of use, even medicinally, and addiction is one of them. CBD is technically an unregulated substance in the United States and therefore it ought to be used with caution. This is especially important for those taking additional medications and/or those with ongoing medical issues. Because CBD supplements come in so many different forms—such as oils, gummies, tinctures, and vapors—the amount that’s actually absorbed can vary drastically.
Marijuana—also called weed, cannabis, and other names—is a species of plant that is used as a medical and recreational drug. Evidence suggests that people can develop a tolerance to THC and may experience withdrawal symptoms. Physical dependence on THC is more likely among people who use high-THC cannabis strains. The authors of one 2020 review state that cannabis-based treatments may offer a potential alternative to opioid-based pain medication.
Are There Any Benefits Associated With Using CBD?
Only the impact of CBD on the intoxication phase of alcohol addiction was extracted from the review of literature. The effects of CBD were examined during the maintenance and extinction phases of SA and during cue-induced reinstatement. The results of this study indicate that CBD (one dose of 5 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg once daily for 3 days) specifically inhibited conditioned cue-induced heroin-seeking behavior for up to 2 weeks following the last administration without affecting motor function. On the other hand, CBD failed to influence drug-seeking behavior initiated by heroine prime. Moreover, neither the maintenance nor the extinction phase of SA was modified by CBD. Currently, the only CBD product approved by the Food and Drug Administration is a prescription oil called Epidiolex.
- With so much misinformation and junk-science on the internet, it is important to get solid facts from doctors and scientists you can trust before deciding if medical marijuana could help you.
- THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the part of the cannabis plant that causes the mental effect.
- While chronic cannabis use may increase the risk of dependence, CBD alone does not appear to have the potential for addiction or abuse.
- While CBD seems to have direct effects on addictive behaviors, its therapeutic potential could also be enhanced by several properties that contribute indirectly to addictive disorders.
Though they’re from the same plant, THC and CBD are quite different from each other. According to federal law, all hemp-derived CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC. You should always check your state’s laws before purchasing CBD or CBD-derived products. According to one study, 43% of commercially-available CBD products contain substantially more cannabidiol than indicated on the label.