Did you know that CBD oil can also benefit smokers? Is taking CBD oil to quit smoking really effective?
CBD’s many therapeutic benefits quickly made this non-psychoactive cannabinoid one of the most popular daily health supplements on the market. Not only can CBD help you maintain a healthy immune system, but it can also relieve many symptoms — from pain to sleeplessness.
Let’s discuss below what nicotine does to the brain and how CBD helps you kick the habit.
The Rewarding and Pleasurable Effects of Smoking
Cigarettes contain nicotine, and nicotine is a very addictive substance. The more you smoke cigarettes, the more you crave nicotine. And like other addictive drugs, you can also become dependent on or addicted to nicotine.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nicotine stimulates the brain’s pleasure and reward centers.
When you smoke, nicotine immediately causes changes in the chemical or neurotransmitter levels in the pleasure center of the brain. It triggers the release of the “happy chemicals,” making you feel more relaxed, more focused, and happier.
This brain region also houses the reward center. It’s also responsible for reinforcing behaviors associated with pleasurable activities such as eating when hungry or drinking when thirsty. With nicotine constantly stimulating this area, smoking then becomes a pleasurable and rewarding habit.
Pretty soon, you’ll find yourself becoming more dependent on nicotine, regularly reaching for your cigarettes when the nicotine level dips.
CBD’s Effects on Nicotine Dependence
Chronic and heaving smoking can lead to lifelong health problems. Nicotine can cause hypertension and other heart problems since it constricts the blood vessels and prevents adequate blood flow. It increases your risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and lung problems. Smoking also increases your cancer risks.
Smoking cessation after many years of nicotine dependence may be difficult for many people. However, CBD can help make the process easier for you.
According to several studies, CBD has the potential to not only reduce your cigarette consumption but stop the habit as well. Listed below are some of the effects of CBD on nicotine dependence.
Decreases Pleasure Response
A study published in Addiction notes that CBD decreases the pleasurable effects of nicotine. It also reduces the salience of drug cues or the ability of a drug to “gain” one’s attention and motivation. This effect also decreases nicotine craving and eases the anxiety of not having a smoke.
Decreases Cigarette Consumption
Another interesting study published in Addictive Behaviors showed that CBD helps decrease cigarette consumption.
In the study, 24 smokers were given CBD inhalers and placebo inhalers for one week. The participants were then told to use their inhalers whenever they crave a smoke.
At the end of the study, those that received placebo inhalers did not exhibit any reduction in their cigarette consumption. Those that received CBD inhalers, on the other hand, not only decreased their cigarette consumption but were also able to maintain this effect at their follow-up.
An anecdotal study involving 700 participants also showed that CBD reduced cigarette consumption by about 42.42%. The participants reported that taking CBD oil as well as vaping CBD helped reduce their consumption of cigarettes. CBD use also helped them abstain from nicotine for a month.
Decreases Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms
Like other addictive substances, nicotine also induces withdrawal symptoms whenever you try to quit. Some of the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include:
- Intense cravings to smoke
- Nausea
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Headaches
- Mood and behavioral changes such as irritability, quick to anger, increased anxiety, depression, and mood swings
- Restlessness
- Problems with sleep
- Problems with focus and concentration
- Chest tightness
- Sweating
A study published by Psychopharmacology showed that CBD was able to control nicotine withdrawal symptoms in animal models. The mice stopped showing physical signs of withdrawal symptoms, and they also exhibited decreased sensitivity to pain during their abstinence.
CBD Effects on Other Addictive Substances
Researchers found that CBD can also benefit people suffering from other addiction problems. According to a study published in Substance Abuse Research and Treatment, CBD can help with substance use disorders such as opioid and opiate problems, cocaine, alcohol, and even cannabis.
This non-psychoactive cannabinoid reduces the activities in the brain’s pleasure and reward centers. CBD makes addictive substances less pleasurable, and it also helps control addictive behaviors.
CBD can help ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapses as well.
How to Use CBD Oil to Quit Smoking
Not all CBD oils are created equal, so before buying just about any CBD oil you see in the market or online, be sure that the CBD oil:
- Is sourced from organically grown industrial hemp
- Has zero or less than 0.3% THC content
- Is laboratory tested and has a certificate of analysis from a verified third party
- Received good reviews and feedback from paying customers
- Manufactured by a trusted brand like ICARIA
To use CBD oil, simply place a few drops under your tongue for about a couple of minutes. This allows the cells in your mouth to directly absorb CBD.
As for the dosage, you can follow our ICARIA CBD dosage:
- 5 to 10 drops for mild symptoms (about 6.25 to 12.5 mg of CBD)
- 15 to 20 drops for moderate symptoms (about 18.75 to 25 mg of CBD)
- 20 to 40 drops for severe symptoms (about 25 to 50 mg of CBD)
- 80 drops for extra-strength CBD (about 100 mg of CBD)
CBD can help you kick the habit by reducing your nicotine cravings and relieving your withdrawal symptoms.
Where to Find the Best CBD Oil in Canada
ICARIA offers CBD oils of varying potencies. We have low-strength CBD oil for beginners and extra-strength CBD oil for more severe symptoms. Our company sources its CBD from non-GMO, organically grown industrial hemp with less than 0.3% THC, so you’re assured that our CBD oils don’t contain any traces of artificial pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or heavy metals.
Our laboratory-tested CBD oils also contain their stated potency. You can easily check their cannabinoid concentration in their certificates of analysis.
To know more about our products, please send us a message. We’d love to assist you in finding the best CBD oil in Canada for your needs.
