CBD and nicotine addiction

The long-term effects of cigarette smoking are fairly well known. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of avoidable death in France, responsible for almost 80,000 deaths a year. Quitting smoking is not so easy, partly due to nicotine addiction.

Study on CBD and nicotine

A single study to date exists on the impact of CBD on nicotine addiction. Conducted by’University College of London, concludes that cannabidiol (CBD) oil is effective in reducing nicotine addiction by reducing the number of cigarettes consumed by study participants.

The randomized, double-blind study involved 24 participants divided into two groups. One group was given a placebo, while the other received’CBD oil via an inhaler. Both groups were asked to use the inhaler whenever they felt the need to smoke a cigarette.

The placebo group showed no change in smoking habits. The other group, on the other hand, reduced the number of cigarettes smoked by 40%.

«We found that the CBD reduced the perception of craving. It may also reduce anxiety and may affect the memory process called reconsolidation, which occurs when the memory of a cigarette-related reward is reactivated by seeing someone smoke,» write the study authors.

Although CBD seems a promising candidate, study leader Celia Morgan insists that the study doesn't show that CBD works any better than other methods of quitting smoking.

«This [40%] was more than expected. However, it's difficult to compare with other stop-smoking therapies because we didn't ask people to stop smoking, only to try using the inhaler when they felt like a cigarette.».

She suggests larger studies to confirm her conclusions and is now working on ways to’quit cannabis with the help of CBD.