CBD as Treatment for Addiction and Substance Abuse
Cannabidiol, otherwise known as “CBD” has become a well-known natural
alternative to fighting many ailments due to its non-psychoactive and medicinal
properties. Because CBD is non-psychoactive, therefore non-addictive, it has become
the subject of many clinical trials to test its effectiveness for treating addiction and
substance abuse ( Endoca ,15 Mar.2018 ). Findings have led many to believe that CBD
may be able to reduce withdrawal symptoms, repair damage caused to the brain from
addiction and also lessen anxiety, impulsivity and the craving cycle that typically
leads to relapse.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is defined as a subject’s “inability to consistently abstain,
impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant
problems with one’s behaviors, and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional
emotional response” according to The American Society of Disease Medicine. As
many chronic disorders involve cycles, addiction typically involves cycles of relapse
and remission ( Endoca , 15 Mar. 2018).
Substance use induces addictive psychoactive effects by using the brain’s
reward system and neurotransmission systems such as dopamine, opioid, serotonin
and norepinephrine are often modified biochemically. These modifications lead to the
physiological and behavioral results from drug use such as tachycardia, restlessness
and euphoria. Even after abstaining for significant periods of time, repetitive impulse
to abuse the substance persists long term, in other words- the subject has become
addicted (Hurd,Yasmin L.,et al. Springerlink ).
How does CBD help?
As you may or may not know, the human body consists of many cell receptors
that make up our Endocannabinoid System. The Endocannabinoid System’s job is to
maintain homeostasis (balance) in the body but it also has closely linked interaction
neurobiologically with other neurotransmission systems. This is essential because
these systems have significant connections to the neurological modifications caused
by drug use.
To break it down, the actions of opioid receptors are to mediate the reactions of
opioid drugs. These receptors are co-localized with CB1 receptors that regulate habit
formation, the brain’s reward system, and goal-oriented behavior. Although CB2
receptors are not as prevalent as CB1 receptors in the brain, they have been found in
dopamine neurons and have been shown to have an effect on drug reinforcement and
other addiction-related behaviors ( Hurd, Yasmin L., et al. Neurotherapeutics ).
To continue, recent studies have found not only decrease in anxiety/craving
levels, relief to the many symptoms associated with withdrawals but also long-term
neurodegeneration. Because CBD holds both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
properties, it is considered neuroprotectant. A clinical trial was performed where CBD
was administered once every 24 hours for a week straight to animal subjects. Many of
the “addictive-like” characteristics in these drug-experienced subjects were reduced
drastically for five months- even though CBD was vacant from the brain and body
after only three days (Gonzalez -Cuevas,G.et al. Science Daily ) This is HUGE, and brings
us closer to proving that CBD can be a promising answer to those suffering addiction.
Provided is a short testimonial video regarding the many beneficial effects CBD
has on recovering substance abusers. – https://vimeo.com/240915272
Here at Wake Wellness our goal is to help others through natural alternatives
and innovate the CBD wellness industry, we are continually and consistently
researching ways to provide our customers with ways to integrate CBD into their lives.
Join our mailing list or follow our social media outlets to keep up to date with our
research.
Feel free to submit questions or comments below.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604178/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180323104821.htm
https://www.endoca.com/blog/can-cbd-treat-addiction/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0373-7
Works Cited
“CBD Oil for Addiction Treatment – Can Cannabidiol Oil Treat
Addiction?” Endoca , 15 Mar. 2018,
http://www.endoca.com/blog/can-cbd-treat-addiction/.
Hurd, Yasmin L., et al. Neurotherapeutics , Springer US, Oct. 2015,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604178/.
Hurd, Yasmin L., et al. “Early Phase in the Development of Cannabidiol
as a Treatment for Addiction: Opioid Relapse Takes Initial Center
Stage.” SpringerLink , Springer, Dordrecht, 13 Aug. 2015,
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0373-7.
“Non-Psychoactive Cannabis Ingredient Could Help Addicts Stay Clean.”
ScienceDaily , ScienceDaily, 23 Mar. 2018,
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180323104821.htm.