As with so-called “heavy” drugs, quitting smoking can become an impossible task for many people. Beyond traditional treatments that attempt to replace one habit with another, CBD for smoking cessation has been considered for more than a decade through various clinical trials.
Before understanding the implications of CBD cannabis for addiction, it is necessary to recognize how it works in the body and why it can be used in addiction treatment.
CBD oil to fight addictions
Consuming 3% CBD oil has many implications inside the body. Not only does it generate analgesic effects in pathologies with chronic and acute pain, but it also has anti-inflammatory effects in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, among many other benefits.
Beyond the effects of CBD that are generated in the human body, it is important to recognize how cannabis works in the body. The interaction takes place through the endocannabinoid system that all mammals have. The active molecules of CBD such as cannabidiol interact with this system through the CB1 and CB2 receptors located in the central nervous system and the immune system. This interaction has subsequent effects, including reducing anxiety and nervousness, two common symptoms in people taking addiction treatment.
The CB1 endocannabinoid receptors modulate the gratification effects of nicotine. This feeling of pleasure that many smokers tend to exhibit is due to the fact that smoking releases serotonin, a key neurotransmitter that generates feelings of pleasure and calm. Logically, when one tries to quit smoking, the amounts of serotonin in the body decrease, which generates feelings of restlessness, nervousness and anxiety.
Several studies around the world have shown that cbd oil consumed over the long term activates brain receptors (histamine) which cause increased availability of serotonin in the brain. Thus, it is proven to decrease anxiety, depression, nervousness and irritability. Likewise, buying CBD also has implications for the quality of sleep, a key factor in regaining calm and releasing inhibitory hormones. Clearly, no one with poor sleep hygiene will be able to stay calm for the rest of the day.
Why is smoking bad for your health?
It is estimated that a cigarette contains about 12 milligrams of nicotine. This substance, consumed in large quantities, frequently causes severe damage to various organs and systems of the body. The cardiorespiratory system is the main affected. Nicotine is found to be irritating to the respiratory structures, and gradually people start to suffer from loss of lung volume. Tobacco causes premature aging of the lung parenchyma, which leads to difficulty in breathing, poorly ventilated lungs, a feeling of lack of air and less oxygen in the body. When this situation becomes chronic, it can lead to a disease that is widespread all over the world, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
On the other hand, nicotine is mixed with other harmful substances like tar, which also have negative effects on the heart. This is because it can also lead to heart failure, so it is necessary to give up this habit as soon as possible to avoid anatomical damage to the heart.
The benefits of CBD for quitting smoking
As mentioned above, nicotine causes the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. This results in a pleasant feeling while smoking. When a person tries to quit smoking, the brain demands its reward, which generates feelings of annoyance, nervousness and anxiety. This is because CBD generates the release of cannabinoids which work by releasing dopamine-inhibiting neurotransmitters, thus restoring calm and tranquility, despite stopping smoking.
On the other hand, there is a point in addiction therapy when one habit is replaced by another. The consumption of a CBD product like Gethemp CBD Flower can replace the habit of smoking, thus creating an unpleasant feeling of traditional cigarettes. This will make it easier to quit smoking, as the urge to smoke will disappear as the brain’s reward circuits are replaced.
