Tobacco use is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths each year in the U.S., according to the CDC, which estimates that it accounts for nearly one of every five deaths annually.
Tobacco use is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths each year in the U.S., according to the CDC, which estimates that it accounts for nearly one of every five deaths annually. It is the leading cause of preventable death in this country; there are approximately 1,300 deaths from smoking each day. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart disease, cancer and lung disease—and these diseases kill more people than any other health problem. The good news is that by quitting smoking and tobacco use, you can reduce your risk of developing many serious health problems. Even better news? Cannabinoids may help curb tobacco addiction and even assist you in this process.
New research shows that compounds found naturally in cannabis plants reverse attentional bias to cigarette cues in a human experimental model of tobacco withdrawal.
New research shows that compounds found naturally in cannabis plants reverse attentional bias to cigarette cues in a human experimental model of tobacco withdrawal. The study, published in the National Library of Medicine, shows that treatment with cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found naturally in cannabis, may be a promising novel smoking cessation treatment due to its anxiolytic properties, minimal side effects and research showing that it may modify drug cue salience.
Researchers used an experimental medicine approach with thirty non-treatment seeking dependent cigarette smokers, by administering 800 mg oral CBD or matched placebo (PBO) in a counterbalanced order. Withdrawal, craving, side effects, heart rate and blood pressure were repeatedly reviewed. The results showed that a single 800‐mg oral dose of cannabidiol reduced the salience and pleasantness of cigarette cues, compared with placebo, after overnight cigarette abstinence in dependent smokers. Cannabidiol did not influence tobacco craving or withdrawal or any subjectively rated side effects. These findings suggest that cannabidiol may hold promise for aiding in nicotine withdrawal, and may also be effective in improving other addictive behaviors.
Further promising results from preclinical studies suggest that manipulation of the endocannabinoid system could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating nicotine addiction.
Further promising results from preclinical studies suggest that manipulation of the endocannabinoid system could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating nicotine addiction. The possible involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the rewarding effects of nicotine was evaluated by using the conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice.
Researchers set out to examine the role of cannabinoid receptors in the brain’s reward circuitry by evaluating the CPP in mice, and were surprised to learn how critical they are for mediating nicotine reinforcements in the rodents. The scientists found that the brain’s response to nicotine triggers the activity of cannabinoid receptors and increased levels of an important enzyme called cPLA2, which is involved in activating these receptors. They then demonstrated that inhibiting cPLA2 activity dramatically reduced nicotine reinforcement by preventing the activation of cannabinoid receptors. Such findings suggest that promoting cannabinoid receptor signaling in the brain could be useful in treating nicotine addiction and other substance abuse disorders, although it is too soon to recommend cannabis as a solution to curbing tobacco addiction.
When quitting smoking, CBD may be a promising therapeutic tool to help ease withdrawal symptoms.
CBD seems to be a promising therapeutic tool due to its anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, neuroprotective, and non-psychoactive effects. In humans, treatment with CBD has been reported to reduce cigarette consumption and pleasantness of cigarette cues after overnight abstinence.
Kicking a nicotine addiction is hard, and often the hardest part for addicts is getting through the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that many fall victim to, thus keeping them in a cycle of dependency on cigarettes and nicotine-containing products. Some symptoms of nicotine withdrawals that CBD can aid in relief of may include anxiety, irregular sleep patterns, headaches, nausea, and irritability.
For those looking for a natural ally in curbing tobacco addiction, CBD could be an effective aid. Choosing quality products from reliable retailers is an important part of this process. We recommend checking out our list of supported brands.
At Realm of Caring, we believe in taking an individual approach to cannabinoid therapy to find a product and dose that works for each of us! If you would like to reach out to our Care Team (719-347-5400 option 1), they would be happy to help you individualize your therapy and find a product that is right for you.
