Is CBD Addictive?

CBD is all the rage right now. It seems like anywhere you go, new cannabidiol stores pop up on street corners, promising pure CBD products with therapeutic properties. This compound, sourced from cannabis plants, is fully legal in the UK, as well as most of the United States and Europe. While more research is needed into its effects, it does seem to be able to help a lot of people out with a myriad of conditions.

One of the main concerns related to CBD is its potential to cause addictive behaviours. After all, it’s derived from cannabis, the same plant family that’s the source of high-inducing, psychoactive THC products. With that comes a lot of questions about the possible harmful side effects of CBD.

So, is CBD addictive? That’s what we’re going to uncover in this article. Keep reading to find out whether CBD addiction is real or not, how the compound compares to other addictive substances, and more.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from the hemp plant and is one of the many active ingredients in cannabis. It can also be manufactured in a lab. CBD works by binding with certain receptors in the central nervous system, namely CB1 and CB2. They belong to our brains’ endocannabinoid system and are the same receptors that THC binds to. The binding of CBD to these receptors is what causes the therapeutic effects many people report experiencing after ingesting the substance.

CBD is included in a wide range of products, such as:

• CBD oils
• CBD tinctures
• Cannabis flower
• CBD edibles: gummies, brownies, chocolate bars, etc.

The Effects of CBD

Although CBD on its own does not produce any psychoactive effects, it does affect the human body and mind in a myriad of ways. As we already mentioned earlier, the full range of CBD effects needs to be researched further to confirm or disprove the compound’s reported benefits.

According to a recent observational study, cannabidiol has been found to improve the well-being of patients struggling with moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain. Patients with mild symptoms, however, didn’t report any meaningful improvements to their condition after using CBD. Evidence exists that points towards CBD also being effective for conditions such as insomnia.

For all the benefits of CBD, there are also multiple side effects you need to be aware of before trying to use the substance yourself. These include:

• diarrhoea
• reduced appetite
• fatigue
• drowsiness
• dry mouth

Be mindful of using CBD in tandem with prescription medication. The compound has been found to reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners, as well as certain heart and thyroid prescription meds. If you use any medication to manage a long-term condition, talk to your doctor before introducing CBD products into your daily routine.

Cannabis Addiction: CBD vs. THC

The debate around cannabis addiction is a long-running one. For decades, scholars, politicians, and addiction specialists have been arguing about whether or not marijuana can cause addiction or not. While it has been established that even heavy usage of cannabis doesn’t cause physical dependence, it can be psychologically addictive.

When discussing cannabis addiction, we need to make a clear distinction between the two main components of the plant: CBD and THC. This is because it’s the latter psychoactive component of cannabis that’s responsible for most cases of psychological dependence on the plant.

This addictive potential of THC-rich cannabis is actually quite well-documented. Researchers have found that heavy marijuana users who quit their habit experience a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, difficulties falling asleep, mood instability, or loss of appetite. In some cases, people have also reported symptoms such as restlessness, intense cravings, and even physical discomfort.

Dependence on marijuana is thought to arise due to the reduced production of the brain’s own endocannabinoid neurotransmitters caused by the abuse of THC.

However, using THC-free cannabis products that contain CBD does not have an addictive potential. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD “exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.” In late 2017, the WHO recommended that cannabidiol be taken off the lists of controlled substances all around the globe, all the while highlighting the need for further studies to determine its usefulness in a medical setting.

CBD vs. Nicotine

In recent years, CBD has also been often compared to nicotine and even recommended to smokers as an effective method for quitting tobacco. In order to understand how these two substances differ, we need to take a closer look at nicotine itself, its addictive properties, and the effects it has on the human body.

Nicotine is primarily found in tobacco products and is a highly addictive substance. It is responsible for causing the following effects:

• a temporary feeling of relaxation
• brief stress and pain relief
• mood improvement
• temporary improvements to concentration and memory

Pleasant effects aside, nicotine is also known to promote a range of side effects. Some of them, such as dry mouth, diarrhoea, or sleep disturbances, are similar to those experienced by CBD users. However, the list doesn’t end here. The side effects of nicotine also include:

• headaches
• blood flow changes
• high blood pressure
• risk of blood clotting
• tremors
• shortness of breath

Addiction to nicotine is one of the most powerful dependencies known to humankind. Removing the substance from your life takes tremendous amounts of willpower and effort, but it isn’t impossible.

Can You Use CBD to Quit Smoking?

The addictive properties of nicotine are the reason why quitting smoking is so difficult. It’s also part of the reason why most quitting aids also contain the substance. While it can still be detrimental to your health, nicotine by itself is not as harmful as traditional cigarettes. But replacing tobacco with nicotine-containing alternatives isn’t the only way to go.

As a non-addictive, non-psychoactive substance with calming and anxiety-reducing effects, CBD has been discussed as a viable quitting aid for a long time. Though it hasn’t been thoroughly researched, existing studies suggest that this compound can help reduce the “salience and pleasantness of cigarette cues,” effectively helping smokers abstain from cigarettes for prolonged periods of time.

While it doesn’t completely remove cigarette cravings, these initial findings show that CBD can make abstinence easier and induce relaxation, both of which help prevent relapse and keep individuals smoke-free.

Final Thoughts

CBD does not have any potential for addiction. It does, however, have the potential to be a valuable quitting aid for smokers. There’s still a long way to go before it is officially recommended for that purpose, though, as we don’t have enough scientific evidence to reach a definitive conclusion on that matter.

While CBD is definitely worth keeping in mind as something that can potentially make your quitting journey easier, there are other products you can turn to to effectively break free from cigarettes. NEAFS is a tobacco-free alternative that utilises heated tobacco technology to provide you with a relaxing smoke break, imitating the smoking ritual with no nicotine involved. Order the NEAFS Bundle Special today and find out for yourself!