CBD for Nicotine Addiction
Can CBD Help You Quit Smoking Cigarettes? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.
The dangers of cigarette smoking have long been known. Although cigarette smoking has been on a consistent decline in the last 10 years, there are still around 37 million adults in the United States who still smoke, and over 16 million of them live with a smoking-related health condition.
Having said that, cigarette smoking remains to be the leading cause of preventable deaths in the country, taking the lives of over 480,000 people each year. But quitting smoking isn’t that easy, and nicotine addiction is to blame. Thanks to research, now we know that CBD can help you kick the habit once and for all.
CBD Helps With Memory Consolidation
CBD is beneficial for treating nicotine addictions because of the role it plays in memory. A process called memory consolidation is responsible when we form a new memory. This new memory first goes into short-term memory; and eventually, these memories will go into long-term memory. During this process, a “memory trace” is left behind. Scientists believe that CBD can work by making the memory trace more flexible once the memory is recalled; in other words, giving us the capacity to erase or modify it.
Now, when you consume nicotine through cigarettes, this releases dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter that is also responsible for the feelings of pleasure that you feel from each puff. As you consume more nicotine, the brain continues to create more memories thus associating pleasure with nicotine consumption, causing an addiction. In the case of a nicotine addiction, the brain continuously craves it, so that it will release more dopamine. On the other hand, consuming more CBD helps to curb the desire by affecting these memories.
CBD also helps alleviate the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting nicotine. Many people who quit smoking face a number of withdrawal symptoms, many of which can sometimes be very uncomfortable such as vomiting, nausea, irritability, insomnia, getting sick, and anxiety.
The Research
While there’s only one study to date studying the impact of CBD for nicotine addiction, the results are promising. The study, conducted by the University College in London revealed that CBD oil is effective in curbing nicotine addiction as revealed by the reduction of cigarettes smoked per day among participants. The study involved a pilot, randomized, and double blind placebo controlled investigation of 24 subjects, who were divided into 2 equal groups. One group was administered a placebo, while the others were given CBD oil via inhaler which they were told to use each time they felt the cravings to smoke a cigarette.
The results revealed that the placebo group showed no changes in their smoking habits, but the group given CBD oil reduced the number of cigarettes smoked by a whopping 40% on average. “We found that CBD seems to reduce the salience of cues. It also can reduce anxiety and may affect a memory process called reconsolidation, which is where when a memory of the reward of smoking is reactivated by seeing someone smoking, it is rendered vulnerable to destruction,” the study’s authors write.
The Best Way To Use CBD For Nicotine Addiction
If you want to quit smoking cigarettes by using CBD, there are many methods you can try. Keep in mind that we still lack scientific evidence on the subject; hence, much of your success will be through trial and error. But there are no risks on your part because CBD is completely safe and there are no side effects.
CBD can be taken through capsules, tinctures, or edibles. There is no one-size fits all solution when it comes to using CBD for nicotine addiction, or any other condition. The best strategy is to start with smaller doses particularly when you’re feeling extra tense, or around stimulus that often causes you to reach for a cigarette stick such as when you’re stressed or anxious. Gradually increase your dosage until you feel that it’s effective.
Many people find it beneficial to use CBD vapes as an alternative to cigarettes, because it helps with the oral fixation offered by this method. However, if you already have lung or respiratory problems caused by decades of smoking, you’re better off using less invasive methods.
Do you know someone who can benefit from using CBD for nicotine addiction? Share this article with them and save a life!
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