Willing to get rid of «bad habits»? —Try CBD

 Data from multiple scientific research show: cannabidiol (CBD) may have a significant potential in the treatment of substance use disorder [1].

In animal experiments CBD reduces drug-seeking behavior [1], while clinical studies involving patients with addiction also demonstrate positive effects of cannabidiol.  In high doses CBD (200-800 mg) reduces  frequency and amount of use of psychotropic substances (such as nicotine, cannabis, opioids).

What is important — CBD is not psychoactive nor mind-altering, it does not cause addiction and has zero potential for abuse.

Experimental evidence of CBD effectiveness in the treatment of various forms of addiction.

1. CBD reduces cocaine use (in mice).

Researchers studied mice addicted to cocaine: injection of very high doses of CBD (10 – 40 mg/kg) reduced animals' consumption of the "white powder" [2].  Additionally, as a result of CBD action, scientists observed formation of new neuronal cells (neurogenesis) in mice brains.  

In another experiment, systemic administration of CBD (10 – 40 mg/kg) reduced cocaine use in rats.  The mechanism of CBD action was in reduction of dopamine release in response to cocaine. CBD alone did not affect the level of dopamine in the brain[3].

2. CBD reduces blood alcohol.

In the next experiment, participants were given a capsule with alcohol (1 g/kg) or alcohol+CBD (200 mg).  CBD reduced the level of alcohol in the blood, but did not prevent the alteration of psychomotor function due to the intoxication [5].

In another experiment, mice were given high doses of CBD (60 mg/kg), which lead to reduced ethanol (ethyl alcohol) consumption [6].

3. CBD reduces nicotine addiction.

In this study 12 tobacco smokers took part: every time they wanted to smoke a cigarette, they used a CBD vape, while another group of smokers used a placebo. Those taking CBD smoked 40% fewer cigarettes, while the placebo group smoked the same amount [7].

In another experiment with nicotine-dependent rats, CBD (7.5 mg/kg) reduced withdrawal symptoms in the animals [8].

4. CBD reduces craving for heroin.

A study on a group of people with heroin addiction showed that use of CBD (400 / 800 mg) for 3 days significantly reduced both the urge to use the drug and the anxiety caused by drug-clue presentation.  The effect of CBD was maintained for 7 days.  In addition, CBD normalized heart rate and salivary cortisol (stress hormone) levels in participants [9].

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/sci...

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3...

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar...

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/art...

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12...

6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28...

7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/scie...

8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3...

9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/311...