Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors: A Systematic Review of the Evidence PMC

It binds to receptors in the brain that control pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, coordination, and movement. Compared with the placebo group, subjects treated with CBD reported lower anxiety levels and cravings from heroin addiction withdrawals. Marijuana-derived CBD, on the other hand, is legal only in certain states.

  • Always look for third-party lab testing results to ensure the product contains only trace amounts of THC, especially if you want to avoid any psychoactive effects.
  • Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive.
  • Research suggests that CBD may also help treat complications linked to epilepsy, such as neurodegeneration, neuronal injury, and psychiatric diseases.
  • The researchers reported that two-thirds of the participants experienced at least a 25% reduction in seizure frequency while receiving CBD treatment.
  • Furthermore, in its pure form, CBD has no known psychoactive effects and does not cause euphoria or intoxication.

Is CBD Oil (Cannabidiol) Addictive?

Drugs in this group include opioids such as morphine, methadone and oxycodone. In September last year, the TGA approved a cannabidiol-based medicine that can be prescribed to treat rare, but incredibly severe, drug-resistant forms of epilepsy that start in childhood. But the levels of CBD administered in clinical trials are far larger than the maximum dose recently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for over-the-counter products, Professor Martin said. There is growing evidence that the non-psychoactive compounds in marijuana, such as CBD, could provide a new treatment for chronic pain.

Does CBD Help Addiction?

We employ various therapeutic modalities—such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care, to cater to the unique needs of each individual. CBD (cannabidiol) has been explored for its potential to affect anxiety due to its interactions with the endocannabinoid system in the human body. This system plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including mood and stress responses.

The Most Effective Addiction Treatment

CBD has been touted as a remedy for a wide variety of health issues. Researchers of an animal study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that it significantly suppressed chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain. The strongest evidence for its effectiveness is in treating medical conditions including epilepsy. Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to anti-seizure medications, have been found to respond to CBD.

  • The dose of naloxone required to provoke 50% of the mice to jump off of a platform was recorded during the withdrawal, as were defecation and rearing behaviors.
  • “Usually when we’re trying to get a drug registered or design a clinical trial, we’re looking at one symptom, one disease, one chemical.
  • It is also true for the consumer market, where products are appearing that contain low levels of THC, or other substances that may be derived from the cannabis plant such as CBD, or both.
  • Taking CBD at high dosages deactivates the P450 enzymes, altering how the body metabolizes many compounds, including THC.

CBD Could Assist People with Addiction, Studies Say

is cannabidiol addictive

There may also be variations in actual CBD content between products. In addition, since CBD is relatively new to the market and not well-regulated, there’s always a risk that a CBD product may contain more THC than indicated. Compounds are inhaled and absorbed directly from the lungs into the bloodstream. However, there may be a risk of damage to lung tissue, so proceed with caution.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

is cannabidiol addictive

The results showed that there was “strong preclinical evidence” to support the treatment of anxiety disorders with CBD, though more research is needed on long-term dosing. It may help manage certain health conditions, improve mood, and reduce pain. The authors of one 2020 review state that cannabis-based treatments may offer a potential alternative to opioid-based pain medication. In a 2019 study, researchers examined CBD’s effects on 72 adults with anxiety and sleep problems. Within the first month of treatment, 79.2% of participants reported reduced anxiety symptoms, and 66.7% reported improved sleep quality. In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, the first pure-CBD anti-seizure treatment.

Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. If you’re not ready to approach a health care provider or mental health professional, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment.

is cannabidiol addictive

Familiarize yourself with labeling and independent testing processes to ensure that your chosen CBD product meets your specific needs and preferences. CBD products may also contain higher levels of THC than stated on the label. It means that more studies are needed to determine what CBD might treat, when it is best used, and what dosage people should take.

Latest datasets

is cannabidiol addictive

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is the reference point on drugs and drug addiction information in Europe. Inaugurated in Lisbon in 1995, it is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies. is cannabidiol addictive Only countries with data for at least 5 of the 6 years are included in the trends analysis. Because of disruptions to services due to COVID-19, data for 2020, 2021 and 2022 should be interpreted with caution.

  • In the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabis plants with less than .3% concentration of the major psychoactive component of marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), were removed from the CSA and legally defined as hemp.
  • This means it won’t make you feel high or alter your mental state.