Altogether, CBD may also be indirectly beneficial in drug addiction due to its beneficial effects in the treatment of common substance-use disorder comorbidities and complications. While addiction involves an uncontrollable urge to consume a substance accompanied by withdrawal symptoms (e.g. irritability, insomnia, anxiety), tolerance and habituation describe a gradual adaptation that doesn’t lead to severe clinical consequences. While CBD has not been found to be addictive, CBD should not be used to replace medical or psychiatric treatment for a mental health or substance use disorder. Most of the studies that have shown a benefit on pain have combined CBD and THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis that is still a Schedule I controlled substance.
CBD for Chronic Pain
However, if CBD is used very regularly, it is possible that those small doses of THC can build up in the body. Because CBD contains only very low levels of THC, there is less concern about being impaired or having the drug detected on a drug test. In contrast, CBD can come from any strain of cannabis sativa, and it is mechanically extracted from the plant’s leaves, stalks and flowers. Due to these differences, THC is an illicit Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, while CBD is not a controlled substance The two substances impact the brain’s endocannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors in different ways. Although CBD and THC come from the cannabis plant, they are very different.
A small number of people who took higher doses of CBD had elevated liver enzymes, but no symptoms or jaundice. The FDA has also approved three cannabis-related drug products. Another small study in 2022 found that adults with ADHD who added oral CBD oil to their other medicines experienced substantial positive effects. Several other studies on CBD for sleep in healthy people had no clear results. Another study showed that topical CBD oil may help relieve pain and itching caused by peripheral neuropathy. Studies show mixed results for people who used low doses of CBD spray, applied under the tongue, to treat chronic pain.
CBD for Sleep
CBD can assist both with physiological addiction and aid people in forming the right habits around different activities and substances by reducing the response to the rewarding stimuli. Finally, a 2019 study posted in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that CBD could help people who have cravings linked to heroin addiction . The authors of physical vs psychological addiction the study concluded that CBD could be best used to treat marijuana dependence and other substance use disorders.
An earlier study from 2011 concluded that CBD has a better safety profile than THC and other cannabinoids. Since CBD doesn’t induce intoxication, it has a similar potential for abuse to placebo. Similarly, CBD interacts with TRPV1 receptors by binding to their sites and blocking pain signals. As a matter of fact, CBD can mitigate the psychoactive effects of THC. Unlike the other cannabinoid, THC, CBD doesn’t have intoxicating properties, so it won’t get you high in a way that THC in marijuana does. Drug tolerance can be very dangerous, especially for hard drugs such as opioids, which involve a high risk of lethal overdose.
Is CBD Addictive? Separating Fact from Fiction
A few studies have shown improvements in psychosis symptoms, sleep disorders, and quality of life. In a small 2017 study, adults with ADHD who used a cannabis spray saw no difference in cognitive performance but had improvements in hyperactivity and impulsivity. They reported less anxiety and better mood, sleep, and quality of life, and showed no serious negative side effects.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Whether you’re brand-new to CBD or fine-tuning a routine you already have, understanding the real answer to “is CBD addictive? For these groups, CBD may still have a place, but it’s important to get personalized medical advice and to monitor closely. Choosing products this way helps ensure that when you reach for CBD, you’re actually getting what you think you’re getting — not an unknown blend that might carry different risks. Because addiction risk is closely tied to what’s actually in your bottle, capsule, or gummy, it’s worth watching for signs that a CBD product may not match its label. Educational CBD content should put your health and safety first, even when it’s hosted on a brand’s website.
THC content and cannabinoid profile
It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. “Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders.” Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, January 1, 2020. The half-life of a drug refers to how long it takes for half of the substance to leave your body. If CBD products follow the law that requires them to contain under 0.3% THC, they are not likely to be detected on a drug test. As a result, hemp oil contains little to no THC or CBD. Hemp oil is legally required to come from cannabis strains that are low in THC.
- ” can help you use hemp products more consciously and more safely.
- More trials are underway to find out how CBD can help improve tremor and motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
- However, if CBD is used very regularly, it is possible that those small doses of THC can build up in the body.
- When these four parameters are cross-checked with longitudinal studies on therapeutic CBD use, the absence of pharmacological addiction becomes clear, especially with CBD products that meet Swiss legal standards (THC ≤ 1%).
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CBD can interact with different medications, causing side effects. Signals called endocannabinoids — similar to cannabis plant molecules — activate our CB1 and CB2 receptors. You can also add CBD oils to skin lotions and creams. CBD oils can also come in capsules that you swallow.
Studies also suggest that CBD may have potential in the treatment of depression. Some of the potential uses are listed below. While CBD does not have psychoactive properties, it does have a variety of effects. While promising, more research is needed to understand how CBD might be utilized for the treatment of substance use disorders. A 2015 review of available preclinical and clinical data found that CBD had therapeutic properties in the treatment of cocaine, opioid, and psychostimulant addiction. However, research has found that 70% of CBD products contain significantly more THC than their labels suggest.
- Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you might be taking in order to prevent any potential drug interactions.
- As a matter of fact, CBD can mitigate the psychoactive effects of THC.
- For example, one study found that CBD influences how the brain responds to serotonin, which may have an antidepressant-like effect.
- For these groups, CBD may still have a place, but it’s important to get personalized medical advice and to monitor closely.
- Consider CBD’s anti-anxiety properties are well known at doses of 300–600mg and CBD seems to have anti-depressant and anti-convulsant effects.
Drug And Alcohol Dependence
Although clinical studies confirm that CBD carries a very low risk of pharmacological dependence, individual circumstances can still influence behavior around its use. Early-phase studies suggest it may reduce cue-induced cravings and support emotional regulation in formerly dependent individuals. A preclinical study by CNRS (2023) titled “CBD Chronic Exposure and Neuroadaptation in Murine Models” observed mild tolerance after 4 weeks of daily 300 mg CBD intake in mice — without withdrawal. Similarly, a 2021 review by INSERM, analyzing over 300 chronic CBD users, reported no significant withdrawal symptoms or long-term loss of control.
This mechanism is so distinct that CBD is even being investigated as an adjunct therapy in treating addiction to other substances. From a scientific standpoint, addiction to pure cannabidiol (CBD) is currently considered highly unlikely. Notably, Dr. Ethan Russo demonstrated that CBD follows a bell-shaped dose-response curve, meaning excessive doses may reduce efficacy instead of enhancing it, a key distinction from substances that lead to compulsive tolerance escalation. However, when compared to THC, the two compounds show major differences in their addictive potential. The method of consumption — whether CBD oil or other products — does not significantly impact this risk.
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That said, CBD may contribute to pain control; one study showed that people on opioids who started taking CBD 30 mg daily were able to reduce their opioid intake. Because CBD products are not regulated or approved, there is little regulation over the recommended doses in things like oils or capsules or how CBD should be used. The federal government passed the Agricultural Improvement Act in 2018, which made hemp (cannabis products that contain less than 0.3% THC) legal.
Side Effects & Safety: “Non-Addictive” Doesn’t Mean “Nothing to Watch For”
Researchers have found that overcoming addiction is much more than developing willpower. Addiction is a complex condition with a psychological and physiological need to seek out certain substances or behaviors despite harmful consequences. It’s always recommended that you speak with your doctor for professional medical advice before taking CBD or any dietary supplements to ensure the safety of compound interactions. This isn’t possible with CBD products on the market (they’re not intended for intravenous use), and it’s expensive.
CBD also doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms or dangerous overdoses, which makes the compound so interesting in health and wellness. Before turning to CBD use, you should steer clear of CBD products that claim to cure, treat, or mitigate any health condition and speak to your doctor for professional medical advice. While some convincing studies highlight the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids, more research is needed to show that CBD can be used safely to support health conditions. Generally, most people experience a sense of relaxation, increased comfort levels, an uplifted mood, better cognitive attention, and a healthier sleep cycle when taking CBD oil. Cannabis plants include both hemp and marijuana—their distinction lies in their THC levels, which is the cannabinoid primary responsible for the psychoactive effects.
It’s possible to become addicted to substances (drugs and alcohol) and activities (gambling, shopping, sex). The research is still emerging on CBD and its ability to support homeostasis, but clinical evidence shows that CBD has a wide range of potential health benefits. You can find CBD products from CBD oil, gummies, capsules, lotions, and smokable products online and in some specialized shops. This is because CBD displays a range of potential therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipsychotic effects.
Unlike marijuana, CBD is not easily converted into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that produces a ‘high’ like feeling in marijuana use. Because they come from the same plant, CBD is often confused with THC, even though they are different substances. CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s psychoactive component, so it does not have the same restrictions or recreational uses as marijuana.
We are a team of experts committed to promoting health & wellness through education, support, and awareness. To date, no study has found a link between CBD and cognitive alterations. The CBD interaction with medicines may trigger a range of second-hand side effects that wouldn’t occur if you took CBD alone. These enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of drugs from pharmaceutical medications. The study included 42 adults who had been using heroin for an average of 13 years.