Is CBD a viable cure for nicotine addiction? Let’s find out if people will ever be able to use CBD to quit smoking or it’s just a myth.
Well, we’re certainly not at the very beginning stages of research. Although there’s much more we need to learn about CBD, some of its effects are already known. Unlike cannabis, which is classified as a psychoactive drug due to the THC in it, CBD is generally thought of as a way to reap all of the benefits of marijuana without experiencing the drawbacks. While THC may cause users to experience feelings of anxiety and paranoia, CBD appears to have a calming effect.
That’s exactly why Cannabidiol, or CBD, has found its way to the shelves of Swiss supermarkets. In fact, you can find high-CBD flower right next to tobacco. So let’s see what research is saying about whether people will ever be able to use CBD to quit smoking.
The Science Behind Using CBD To Quit Smoking
While research into CBD is by no means common place yet, two studies coming out of the University College London have sparked the interest of the global scientific community. Although the research was done on rather small sample sizes, we must admit, the results have been incredibly promising.
The first study was published in 2013 in the Addictive Behaviors journal. The research itself was a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted on two groups of 12 smokers. Participants in both of the groups received inhalers with instructions to use them when they felt the need to smoke during the course of a week. Even in such a short timespan, the results were shocking.
The group that was using a CBD inhaler as opposed to a placebo had reduced their nicotine intake by about 40 percent by the end of the week. Furthermore, the researchers’ follow-up meetings with these participants proved that the treatment had actually had long-term effects. Even taking into account the small sample size and the short treatment period, we can’t deny that there’s something there.
And, apparently, more researchers agreed. Another study on using CBD to quit smoking came out in May 2018. Like the previous study, this one was a randomized, double-blind crossover analysis. So although the sample size was slightly larger, at 30 participants, the premise was the same: two groups, one that was orally getting 800 mg of CBD, the other a placebo.
After the administration of the drug, the researchers tested the patients for signs of nicotine withdrawal while showing them photos that were meant to stimulate their desire for nicotine. At the end of the day, these scientists discovered that CBD significantly reversed the effects of tobacco withdrawal. Additionally, it also lessened the desire to smoke despite the”pleasantness of cigarette cues.”
How You Can Use CBD To Quit Smoking
Now that we know about the astonishing results of treating nicotine addiction with CBD, who knows what else it could help with? Perhaps we would be able to approach other addictions in the same way? After all, nicotine addiction isn’t simply about the physical effects of nicotine but also about breaking the habit of smoking. As it turns out, CBD has been effective at treating both the physical and the mental aspects of this addiction.
But how can you apply this knowledge, if you’re struggling with tobacco addiction yourself? Well, if you’re interested in using CBD to quit smoking, there are a couple of ways to go about it. Of course, there are vapor inhalers, like the ones the participants of the 2013 study used. Or, you can also use an oral aerosol spray. However, the best option for someone who’s struggling to quit smoking seems to be transitioning into smoking CBD.
As we’ve previously mentioned, the ritual of smoking is just as addictive as tobacco’s effects on our bodies. So keeping the habit but vaping CBD instead of tobacco can really help you kick your habit. If rolling your own cigarettes is a part of your nicotine habit, you can even purchase loose CBD flower to roll. However, you should keep in mind that the inhalation of smoke itself is also a habit you’ll need to kick. So, after a few weeks of smoking CBD cigarettes, you should think about vaping CBD oil instead. Then, you’ll be able to replace vaping with CBD gummies or gum.
Is CBD Easy To Buy Online?
Fortunately, getting your hands on CBD products is exceedingly easy. Because CBD is the least dangerous component of the hemp plant, you can find CBD products with less than 0.3% of THC in all 50 states.
Whether you follow the easy route of transitioning to smoking CBD flower, then vaping CBD oil, then taking CBD orally, or kick tobacco cold turkey with CBD pills, remember that science is on your side. CBD is the very best of cannabis. You remain completely sober but you also get to reap the benefits of this miracle plant. And, with more research, who knows what other addictions we’ll be able to cure?