CBD vs. Nicotine: How Are They Different?

Across the globe, people are constantly searching for safer alternatives to traditional tobacco cigarettes with nicotine. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, has skyrocketed in use and interest due to its suggested benefits and reduced side effects. More research is needed, but the studies that have been published in recent years do seem to suggest that CBD can be an effective aid in quitting smoking if used correctly.

Nicotine, on the other hand, is one of the most addictive substances known to men. Cigarettes are the main intake method of nicotine for most people, which led many to associate nicotine with a whole array of dangerous health conditions. However, the truth is a bit more complex than that.

On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer: CBD carries fewer risks than nicotine and is not considered to be physically addictive. But how does CBD really differ from nicotine, and are there any health risks associated with its usage?

Nicotine: Basic Information

Nicotine is an alkaloid, a type of natural compound present in tobacco. It’s one of over 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke and is the primary component behind tobacco addiction. While it’s not directly responsible for diseases like lung cancer and emphysema—that’s attributed to other harmful chemicals in tobacco—nicotine increases heart rate, blood pressure and alters brain function, which leads to addiction.

Nicotine Effects

As a highly addictive stimulant, the short-term effects of nicotine include increased alertness, improved mood, and boosted concentration. Those who take in nicotine on a regular basis claim that it can help them focus at work and relieve stress.

However, it’s the long-term effects that are concerning. Chronic nicotine use can lead to addiction, with withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, increased appetite, and difficulties concentrating when its use is discontinued suddenly. Physiological effects over time can also include adverse cardiovascular events due to the consequential increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

As you can see, even when cigarettes are taken out of the equation, prolonged nicotine use carries a host of health concerns that can potentially turn into life-threatening conditions. But is CBD the right alternative to nicotine, and can it actually help addicts kick their habit?

CBD: Basic Information

On the other hand, cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the key active compounds found in cannabis plants like hemp and marijuana. Unlike its cousin compound THC, CBD does not induce any euphoric or “high” sensations.

In recent years, this has led to the widespread legalization of CBD in many countries. For example, in the US, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived CBD in most states since it contains less than 0.3% THC; however, marijuana-derived CBD still maintains federal restrictions due to higher concentrations of THC. Similar regulations govern the sale and use of CBD in other nations. In the UK, the THC content in CBD products cannot exceed 0.2%.

The CBD market continues to expand, and you can find many vendors selling CBD oils, topical creams, or CBD vape juice. As with any substance that recently gained a lot of mainstream traction, it’s important to exercise caution when using these products. While CBD is not dangerous on its own, you may run into businesses that sell subpar or fake CBD items to make a quick buck.

CBD Effects

Unlike nicotine addiction tendencies and potential withdrawal symptoms, research generally suggests that CBD has a better side effect profile, and its users typically don’t develop a physical dependence.

Instead, potential benefits associated with CBD use include a reduction in pain and inflammation, improvement in sleep quality, reduction of anxiety, and possibly help with certain types of seizures as suggested by different clinical trials.

Does CBD Carry Any Health Risks?

Overall, CBD is generally well-tolerated by most people. However, it’s worth noting that CBD does come with a range of potential side effects and risks, especially when consumed in larger quantities. Some common side effects reported include:

• fatigue,
• diarrhea,
• changes in appetite,
• weight fluctuations.

Interaction with other medications is another cause for concern. For example, CBD is known to interfere with certain medications like blood thinners as it inhibits the enzymes that allow these drugs to do their job. This could result in dangerously high levels of these medications in your blood.

Another issue pertains to product quality and regulation. As the CBD market has exploded, there’s been a rise in products of varying quality – some might not contain the level of CBD claimed on the package or possibly even contain harmful contaminants.

Because of these potential risks, it’s absolutely essential to consult your healthcare provider before you start using CBD products. They can inform you of the appropriate dosages and give reliable advice on when to use other medications alongside CBD.

CBD and Nicotine in Vaping Products

Modern advancements have seen both nicotine and CBD infused into e-liquids for use with e-cigarettes or vape pens. While vaping is generally considered to be a safer alternative to cigarette smoke, e-cigarettes are not completely harmless, and more extensive research is needed to fully determine their health risks.

Nicotine Vaping

E-cigarettes operate by heating a liquid (usually containing nicotine) into an aerosol that the user inhales. It’s often marketed as a less harmful alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes since users are not exposed to many harmful chemicals produced by burning tobacco. However, it’s worth noting that while e-cigarettes can contain fewer harmful chemicals than regular cigarettes, they are not risk-free.

Nicotine ingested via e-cigarettes has the same effects on your body as when sourced from traditional cigarettes. However, vaping isn’t the only alternative way to consume nicotine with reduced harm. Our plant-based NEAFS sticks are completely tobacco-free, and you can also get them in a nicotine-free variant when you feel ready to break free from nicotine addiction for good.

Vaping CBD Oil

Vaping CBD oil operates similarly to nicotine vaping but without the potential risks associated with inhaling nicotine. A vaporizer heats up the CBD vape oil in a cartridge allowing you to inhale the vapor instead of smoke. For those craving the hand-to-mouth motion similar to smoking but want to avoid negative health impacts, this could be a suitable option.

Quitting Smoking With CBD: Can It Be Done?

Emerging studies suggest there could be potential for CBD to help manage nicotine addiction. A 2013 study published in Addictive Behaviors revealed smokers who used an inhaler containing CBD smoked fewer cigarettes overall and didn’t experience increased cravings for nicotine during the study period. While preliminary, these findings create the promise of using CBD-based treatments as a tool for smoking cessation programs.

However, a recent study conducted by the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, has found that vaping CBD oil may potentially be more harmful than nicotine vaping, with increased inflammation risks and higher toxicity levels.

With these findings in mind, finding the right CBD product to use to help with quitting smoking is of utmost importance. A CBD inhaler rather than a vape is a safer approach, but there are also other ways to consume CBD, such as topical oils and creams or tinctures.

The Bottom Line

Despite emanating from plant sources, Nicotine and CBD operate differently on numerous levels – their effects on body systems, addictive characteristics or lack thereof, and applications through vaping products. While nicotine fosters dependency through its psychoactive properties leading to harmful effects on one’s health over time, CBD generally seems to present a safe profile without addictive properties while potentially offering broad health benefits.

While more extensive research is certainly required before conclusions can be drawn firmly about the efficacy of using CBD for smoking cessation or other health benefits – particularly surrounding dosages and long-term effects – it isn’t hard to see why there’s significant growing interest in using CBD vs. nicotine due to its generally better safety profile.