CBD is everywhere! CBD can be found in oils, creams, patches, beauty products, salves, tinctures, vapes, and edibles. You name it.
Someone has probably found a way to use it as a CBD delivery system. CBD products aren’t just found at medical marijuana dispensaries.
You can find CBD products in:
- Pharmacies
- Supermarkets
- Health food stores
- Corner markets
- Spas
- Wellness centers
- Box stores
- Online
And, although CBD products are now flooding the market, people still have questions about what it is, how to use it, if it’s safe and legal. We’ve covered these topics in other blog articles. But, what we have not covered is one of the most commonly asked questions, is it addictive.
Is CBD Addictive?
The quickest answer: According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
This statement is so clear-cut that it would simple to end this article right here. But we know that some people want to get all the deets. So let’s dive in.
The Deets
It’s natural to be concerned about potential drug dependency, addiction, and psychotic illness when you think of marijuana. But, unfortunately, for decades, marijuana has been presented as an enemy to our health.
There’s also been a misunderstanding about what marijuana is. Marijuana, Cannabis, is a plant that contains a lot of different kinds of cannabinoids and tannins. Each of these has its own properties and can be isolated. The two most common cannabinoids that are used in products and medicine are CBD and THC.
Suppliers derive CBD from two plants: marijuana and hemp. When used as a whole, marijuana can be intoxicating, but that’s not because it contains CBD. Instead, that’s got more to do with THC.
If you take the CBD out of a marijuana plant and isolate it, it does not cause a high. Hemp is a cousin of marijuana, and it has 0 intoxicating properties. CBD that comes from hemp contains .03% or less THC- this is not enough to affect you.
Why CBD Won’t Get You High
CBD has never been proven to be addictive because it can’t be addictive. This particular cannabinoid is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating. It doesn’t have the same psychoactive tendencies as its fellow cannabinoid, THC.
Both CBD and THC cannabinoids interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in your brain. These receptors are part of a network of neurotransmitters linked to your endocannabinoid system.
It interacts with these receptors in a different way than THC does. So, it is neither addictive nor does it produce the “high” effect that THC does at the molecular level.
The Skinny
CBD does not produce psychoactive buzz that gets you high. It won’t impair your motor skills, psychological functions, blood pressure, body temperature, or heart rate.
Also, providers use it to counteract the euphoric effects of THC at times when someone needs to take THC for medical reasons but doesn’t want to suffer its intoxication effects.
The Surprise
It turns out that not only is it non-addictive, providers can also use it to treat drug addiction. For example, preliminary reports suggest that providers can use it to lower the likelihood of developing cocaine and methamphetamine use disorder and nicotine and cannabis addiction. It may also prevent those who have kicked drug addictions from relapsing.
Ironically, something that people fear could cause addiction may help fight it. Although more clinical trials need to be run, there has been interesting evidence that it may effectively treat various kinds of addiction.
- Animal studies have shown positive effects of CBD on opioid and psychostimulant addiction.
- Human studies have presented preliminary evidence of the benefits of CBD on Cannabis and tobacco dependence.
- CBD’s therapeutic properties could indirectly be useful in treating addiction disorders.
- CBD helps combat the adverse effects of THC and cannabis withdrawal symptoms.
- CBD could potentially treat cannabis addiction and other addictive disorders.
Make no mistake, these are serious claims, as is evidenced by an increasing number of studies currently being conducted in the United States regarding the effects of it on Cannabis and opioid addiction. There is also an ongoing Canadian study on CBD and cocaine addiction.
The outcomes so far are good news as we have clearly needed new medications to treat the epidemic of substance abuse that is now worldwide.
Buyer Beware: What You Need to Know
If you are concerned about drug addiction or getting high, be careful about where you get your products. For example, some oil has a high THC content and can cause euphoric effects.
Yes, heavy, chronic cannabis use may increase the risk of addiction, but CBD has shown no potential for abuse or addiction. Researchers are still digging deeper into the long-term effects of CBD. So far, studies have shown that CBD effectively treats rare, severe forms of childhood epilepsy and may help reduce anxiety and chronic pain.
Still Not Sure?
We understand. It’s going to take some time to replace the marijuana myths with the facts. If you still have questions or are concerned about how it could impact your mental, physical or emotional wellbeing, we’ll be glad to talk with you further.
We’re dedicated to helping you uncover the facts you need to make considered solutions about your health and well-being. Medical marijuana offers so many positive, supportive benefits.
We would hate for you to miss out because of a misunderstanding around how they interact with your body. So contact us for a consultation today!