Study: CBD against methamphetamine addiction

A recent study published in September in the street Journal of Psychopharmacology reveals that the CBD could «reduce the motivation to seek out and use methamphetamine,» suggesting that cannabidiol, one of the non-psychotropic compounds in cannabis, could be an effective treatment for quitting meth.

The study notes that «methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant that can have numerous adverse physical, psychological, and psychosocial effects. Preliminary evidence suggests that cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant, may be effective in the treatment of opioid dependence and nicotine. However, no study has yet examined whether treatment with cannabidiol could have an impact on methamphetamine addiction. »

L’study The study therefore sought to determine whether CBD administration reduced the urge to self-administer methamphetamine and led to a form of abstinence.

To do this, the researchers trained 32 mice to self-administer methamphetamine via a lever. The mice were then subjected to a progressive ratio reinforcement schedule to study the effects of cannabidiol at different doses and its impact on their motivation to consume methamphetamine.

«Cannabidiol (80 mg/kg, but not 40 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg) reduced the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine and mitigated relapse» upon cessation of meth use, the study states.

Researchers say this is the first time CBD has demonstrated its ability to «reduce the motivation to seek out and use methamphetamine,» and suggest that cannabidiol may be worth testing as a new pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine addiction.

Several other studies have examined the use of CBD as a means of overcoming addiction, whether cigarettes or alcohol. A 2013 study In particular, it has shown that transdermal CBD reduces alcohol-induced neurodegeneration in animals.