CBD: Does it work? Is it safe? Is it legal?

Furthermore, the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of CBD on drug abuse disorders are reviewed. As previously mentioned, CBD exercises its effects via several neural mechanisms relevant to addictive disorders. Its action on the ECBS as a weak inverse agonist on CB1 receptors has been suggested to play a role in substance-use disorder, but other mechanisms are also involved. Ren et al studied the postmortem brain of rats and found that CBD normalized the heroin-induced changes in CB1 receptor mRNA expression and AMPA GluR1 in the nucleus accumbens, even after 2 weeks of treatment. This suggests a long-term impact on neural mechanisms relevant to opioid relapse.26 Moreover, the fact that CBD inhibits the reuptake and hydrolysis of AEA could explain some of its potential effects on cannabis withdrawal syndrome and other addictive processes. More studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms through which CBD influences addictive behaviors, in addition to the endocannabinoid, glutamatergic, and serotoninergic systems.

Why is taking CBD a potential risk for some people in recovery?

• Similarly, Ren et al. showed a reduction of CB1R gene and protein levels in the NAcc core and shell subregions of rats exposed to a cue-induced heroin seeking procedure.
• You can mix oil from capsules into food or drinks or eat it as a gummie or chocolate.
• It’s important to note that while CBD is generally well-tolerated, potential interactions with medications should be considered.
• While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana, or manufactured in a laboratory.
• Addiction can form around substances such as drugs and alcohol, which are defined as substance use disorders or can arise from behaviors such as gambling, sex addiction, and self-injury.

Additionally, CBD reduced physiological measures such as heart rate and salivary cortisol levels without significant adverse effects, highlighting its potential as a treatment option for opioid use disorder. In summary, we have ahead of us an exciting race to discover how CBD could contribute to the area of drug addiction from a therapeutic point of view. More preclinical and clinical studies are necessary to further evaluate the role of CBD as a new is cannabidiol addictive therapeutic intervention for SUD. The clinical studies that are currently underway will provide relevant information to improve our knowledge about the efficacy and safety of CBD for the treatment of SUD. Despite the range of the psychosocial and pharmacological therapeutic approaches for substance use treatment, relapse prevalence into drug consumption is estimated between 40 and 75% (Sinha, 2011; Pasareanu et al., 2016; Andersson et al., 2019).

CBD Isn’t Addictive, But It Does Have Other Effects

In a 2022 clinical trial, 14 people with anxiety were given high levels of CBD under the tongue, for four weeks, three times per day. They reported less anxiety and better mood, sleep, and quality of life, and showed no serious negative side effects. One review noted that CBD has the potential to reduce inflammation and seizures, help with pain, and reduce the likelihood of developing tumors. CBD may have a variety of health benefits, and its potential is powerful.3 Understanding the various benefits of CBD can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. If you’re purchasing CBD in a licensed dispensary in a state with medical or recreational cannabis laws, there’s a good chance the CBD product will contain higher levels of THC.

How do I use CBD products?

With nearly 400,000 people in the U.S., there’s a huge need for some new innovations and treatments for opioid addicts. CBD holds significant promise for the relief of opioid withdrawal and integration back into normal life. Thus, available evidence suggests that CBD may functionally regulate the activity of the mesolimbic DA system and counteract the effects of dysregulated dopaminergic transmission induced by drugs such as amphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, or cannabis. These findings could be related, at least in part, to the reduction of the reinforcing and motivational effects of these drugs, as well as to the regulation of the withdrawal syndrome.

• There’s not a lot of research on CBD, but the results on topics experts have studied are promising.
• Low-THC and hemp-derived CBD products have been approved by the FDA as a practical option for seizures and are often used to help patients with epilepsy.
• The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of the cannabis sativa plant that has generated significant interest among scientists and health professionals in recent years. This is because CBD displays a range of potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipsychotic effects. Addiction can form around substances such as drugs and alcohol, which are defined as substance use disorders or can arise from behaviors such as gambling, sex addiction, and self-injury. Instead, it interacts with various receptors in the brain and body to produce its effects. However, it’s important to note that while CBD itself is not addictive, it can be found in products that also contain THC, which is addictive.