Is CBD Addictive?

Introduction to CBD

It is evident that some studies have suggested that the heavy use of cannabis (with a high THC content) can increase the risk of dependency in some people. CBD, on the other hand, when on its own, does not appear to be addictive. There is still more research that needs to be conducted to determine the long-term effects of CBD usage. If you are unaware of what CBD is, Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the over 400 hundred chemically occurring compounds that can be found in the hemp and cannabis plants. Healthcare professionals, scientists, and academics continue to explore the positive benefits of CBD so consumers can have the peace of mind that CBD has supportive evidence of its effectiveness.

One of the most important factors to understand about CBD, which makes it most popular, is that CBD does not have the psychoactive effects as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) does. This means that CBD will not give you that “high” effect that THC will provide. Many people continuously wonder since CBD does not cause the same effect as THC, is it addictive or habit-forming? In this article, we will discuss what research says about whether CBD is potentially addictive.

Potential Benefits of CBD

We are aware that CBD does not create the ‘high’ effects that are commonly associated with cannabis use, but it has many positive health benefits for a wide range of medical conditions.

Reduces epileptic seizures

There are many clinical trials that conclude that CBD can reduce epileptic seizures. A 2018 clinical trial was done on 72 children and 60 children, showing that receiving 5-50 milligrams per kilogram of CBD daily helped to reduce epileptic episodes. Following the results of various clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a synthetic form of CBD known as Epidiolex, which is the first pure-CBD anti-seizure treatment on the pharmaceutical market. This medication has also been prescribed to treat rare forms of epilepsy, including Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

CBD Helps to reduce Anxiety

There are limited studies that conclude CBD can assist with the reduction of anxiety but the studies that are available show that there are promising results. A 2019 study conducted on 72 adults with anxiety and sleep problems showed that 79.2% of the participants reported reduced anxiety symptoms and 66.7% reported improved sleep quality within the first month of treatment.
It is evident that larger doses of CBD are required to help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. The doses used in the study ranged from 100-900 milligrams of CBD.

A CBD product without traces of THC would be a good choice for those suffering from anxiety.

Relieves chronic pain

One of the most recent studies in 2020 found that using a hemp-extracted full spectrum CBD product on mice helps to reduce their neuropathic pain (migraines). Another recent study that was conducted in New Zealand was done on 400 people who suffered from chronic pain and mental health conditions. The participants reported that they had improved quality of life outcomes after using CBD. The research also suggested that there were no side effects as a result of using a CBD product and none of the participants found that they became dependent on the cannabinoid. In fact, the participants reported the opposite, concluding that they had better sleep habits and improved appetite.

Other effects of CBD

There are many other potential positive effects of CBD and continuous studies are being conducted to prove these benefits. Some of the other potential health benefits that CBD has to offer include:

  • The reduction of inflammation
  • Helps to regulate the immune system
  • Reduces the feeling of nausea and vomiting
  • Inhibits the growth of cancer cells

No matter what you are using CBD for, it is all about understanding that all users absorb CBD differently and finding the right dose for you is experimental. There are also a variety of products on the market that absorb differently and will provide different timelines of when they will take effect in the body. CBD is a holistic alternative that needs to be used consistently to see results. This brings us to the question of the hour – if CBD must be taken daily and consistently to see the positive benefits, will this result in CBD becoming habit-forming or addictive?

CBD oil for anxiety

So, can CBD be addictive?

To answer the question, CBD on its own does not cause any addictive or habit-forming effects on the body. The true reason for this is that CBD does not contain any intoxicating effects like THC or a narcotic would, for example.

Products that contain CBD on their own are CBD isolate or Broad-Spectrum CBD infused products. CBD isolate does not contain any other chemical compounds but CBD. Broad Spectrum CBD does not contain any traces of THC but does contain other minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN.

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) did a pre-review report on the addictive potential of CBD. The report stated that “evidence from well-controlled human experimental research indicates that CBD is not associated with abuse potential.”

Because CBD has been proven to not have addictive effects, studies have been conducted to prove that CBD can in fact help treat drug addiction. There is some beginning evidence emerging that suggests CBD might lower the risk of developing cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders. CBD can also help with the prevention of relapsing after a period of detoxification and sobriety.

In 2015, a study showed evidence that concluded CBD can also help to treat nicotine and cannabis addiction. Using CBD in the form of a vape or oil could be a great alternative when trying to combat these types of addictions.

We hoped this article was helpful in answering your questions about the benefits of CBD and whether it can be addictive.


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