Substance abuse, dependence or addiction, also known as toxicomanie, is a big problem in France. The way medical establishments have carelessly prescribed opiate-based drugs in the past is also becoming a topic. How could CBD help combat drug abuse?
CBD's results on addiction supported by research
Recently, new evidence has emerged in favor of using CBD to treat addiction. Research has focused primarily on relapse prevention, with CBD suspected of being highly effective in reducing sudden drug cravings, also known as craving.
Addiction to heroin or cocaine
CBD really works on hard drug users. A study focused on 42 men and women trying to come off heroin. The group was divided into 3 groups. 2 groups received varying amounts of CBD for 3 consecutive days.
After the 3-day treatment, all groups were connected to brain activity monitors and watched nature vids and a drug-related video. The control group showed a greater amount of craving markers during both videos.
The group that received the highest amount of CBD showed minimal craving during the drug video and no craving during the nature video. Among other things, this study served to draw interest in the use of CBD to reduce consumption or abstain from hard drugs.
Tobacco addiction
A research on CBD was also carried out with smokers. 24 smokers were given inhalers containing CBD and placebo inhalers. They were asked to use inhalers whenever they wanted to smoke. The CBD group reduced their tobacco consumption by around 40% at the end of the study.
Areas for future scientific research
There are also areas in the fight against addiction for which scientists have high hopes. They are currently conducting tests to determine the real value of CBD when it comes to helping people break free from addiction.
CBD and cannabis dependence
You may have heard that cannabis is not very addictive, which is true, but that doesn't mean some people don't have problems with it.
Scientists believe that CBD tinctures can help people addicted to cannabis to stop using it. CBD offers the same anxiety- and nausea-relieving effects as THC, without the psychotropic effects.
CBD and Alcoholism
The most commonly abused drug accounts for around 40% of admissions to detox centers. Alcohol withdrawal leads to very unpleasant symptoms, including anxiety, anger, irritability, tremors, nausea and hallucinations.
Scientists hope that CBD could help recover alcoholics to alleviate some of these symptoms and prevent them from returning to alcohol.
Sources and scientific studies are cited and linked in the content of the above article.
- Addiction