Is CBD Oil Addictive?

Is CBD Oil Addictive?

Many people wonder if CBD oil is addictive, but current research is very reassuring. There is currently no evidence that using any form of CBD can lead to dependence.

CBD does not intoxicate you, and this may be one of the main reasons there have been no links between its use and addiction. A report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017 stated that evidence obtained from properly carried out human research indicated that there was no "abuse potential" associated with CBD use. [1]

Facts about CBD

Many people try to link marijuana use with the use of CBD products, but comparisons should not be made between the two. CBD does not contain the active THC levels found in marijuana, which is the compound linked to psychological and physical effects such as euphoria and feelings of sedation. CBD does not have the same effects, and a 2016 study into the use of CBD and addiction potential found that its effects and likelihood of dependency were the same as a placebo instead of having similarities with marijuana use. [2]

Treatment for addiction

CBD is non-addictive, and there is also evidence that it could actually be used as a treatment for people with drug dependence issues. There is evidence that it could reduce the risk of developing a methamphetamine or cocaine use disorder and may also play a positive role in preventing relapse following detoxification and a period of sobriety. [3] More evidence also suggests that CBD could play a role in helping the treatment of marijuana and nicotine addiction. [4] Researchers have stated that preclinical studies demonstrated potential therapeutic uses for CBD in the treatment of cocaine, psychostimulant, opioid, tobacco and marijuana addictions.

CBD prevention and treatment for addictions

There are currently no pharmacotherapies that have been approved for helping with addiction to psychostimulant drugs but there is a train of thought that CBD could have potential as a treatment for this and other substance use disorders. More research is undoubtedly required, but there is existing evidence that CBD could have many benefits. These include:

1. Reversing toxicity caused by cocaine use.

2. Treating seizures associated with the use of cocaine.

3. Regulating behaviors caused by amphetamine use.

4. Reducing the desire to use drugs such as methamphetamines and cocaine.

5. Lowering stress levels that could otherwise be linked to drug use.

6. Reducing the impact of withdrawal for crack cocaine addicts by helping with cravings, paranoia and impulsivity.

7. Alleviating the symptoms of mental disorders that may be underlying triggers for drug users.

8. Modulating neuronal circuits that are typically involved when drug addiction is an issue.

Potential impact of CBD use in addiction treatment

CBD’s use in the treatment or prevention of drug addiction is one that should be explored further given that, in the U.S. alone, there are 130 deaths every day related to opioid overdoses. [5] It is believed that around 10 percent of the people who are legally prescribed drugs in this category end up with dependence issues.

CBD’s usefulness in overcoming addictions could prove incredibly useful in the U.S., where it is estimated that around 14 percent of the population smokes tobacco [6], for example. Although around half of this number try to give up the habit each year, only around 6 percent actually stop. [7]

Cocaine is another issue that has the potential to be addressed by the use of CBD products such as full spectrum CBD oils, like this Any-Time All Natural CBD Oil, and CBD capsules. Around 1.5 million people aged 12 and over are believed to use cocaine. [8] This equates to around 0.6 per cent of the population of the U.S.

Alleviating the causes of drug dependence

Research suggests that the use of CBD products can remove some of the causes often associated with drug use that can ultimately lead to dependence issues. There are numerous studies showing the beneficial effects that CBD can have in the treatment of everything from the type of chronic pain [9] that might otherwise lead to opiate use to relief from anxiety [10] and insomnia. [11]

It is believed that CBD works by giving an additional boost to the human endocannabinoid system, which maintains the balance in the body. This can have a positive impact on all sorts of bodily functions, including mood, sleep, appetite, and motor control. CBD use can help the endocannabinoid system to communicate effectively with the relevant neurotransmitters in the body. This is said to help keep the body in balance and working within healthy limits.

[1] https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.2_CBD.pdf

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5361620/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6680550/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4444130/

[5] https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

[6] https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm

[7] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22071589/

[8] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-scope-cocaine-use-in-united-states

[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31980957/

[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31866386/

[11] https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep-treatments/cbd/