As the CDC reports, more than 16 million Americans suffer from smoking-related diseases, accounting for about 1 in 5 deaths in the United States. With 34.1 million adults in the United States smoking, tobacco remains one of the most addictive substances commercially available. The road to curb tobacco addiction is incredibly challenging, as conventional treatments like nicotine patches and gum are not always powerful enough to help.
In attempts to quit the habit, more and more people reach for CBD products as an alternative solution. Lately, CBD has been gaining traction as it helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms, curb tobacco cravings, and reduce overall cigarette consumption. Though CBD is extracted from a cannabis plant, it lacks the psychoactive effects associated with THC and marijuana, making it a safe alternative to nicotine. If you’re wondering whether you can benefit from CBD in your attempts to quit smoking tobacco, here are some ways in which CBD may help you.
Is CBD Addictive?
While CBD is derived from the cannabis plant, it’s different in structure from THC, the primary component responsible for marijuana’s psychedelic effects. This means that CBD won’t produce the same psychoactive effects as THC, which is commonly associated with getting high. Instead, you’ll feel a natural sense of calm and balance. This is the primary reason why CBD users don’t experience any dangerous side effects, such as paranoia or feelings of anxiety.
As a result, CBD is gaining traction with medical practitioners as an alternative form of treatment for various conditions. Research has even shown CBD to be effective in the treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and cancer.
If you suffer from any of the above conditions and wish to start CBD treatment, you’ll have to find a reputable provider in your area like CharmCityHemp – Best CBD based in Baltimore. By choosing CBD from a trustworthy source, you’ll ensure the efficiency of your CBD product.
How Can CBD Help Quit Smoking?
It Alleviates Withdrawal Symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, headaches, restlessness, and depression. These symptoms can last for several weeks and are usually more intense at the beginning. If you experience these symptoms after quitting smoking, then you may be able to benefit from CBD as it helps alleviate.
As CBD works with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body, it helps to mitigate the effects of nicotine consumption. The ECS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis throught the body; it controls such bodily functions as stress response, sleep cycle, mood, blood pressure, and more.
By taking CBD, you’re boosting the process of breaking down the natural endocannabinoids in your body. Then, those elements interact with receptors in brain areas responsible for sleep, mood, pain, and reward – the functions that are influenced by nicotine and cause withdrawal symptoms.
It’s a Healthier Alternative to Tobacco
The central nervous system is the most important target of tobacco use. When a cigarette is smoked, nicotine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it binds to nicotinic receptors in the brain and spinal cord. The resulting chemical reaction has a calming effect on smokers, thereby increasing the chances of them taking up cigarettes.
In addition to nicotine, many other chemicals and toxins are also present in tobacco smoke, including but not limited to carbon monoxide, tar, and cyanide. The harmful effects of smoking tobacco, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer, kill nearly half a million people each year in the United States alone.
Though smoking CBD might not be the healthiest alternative, it is available in many other forms, be it tinctures, patches, edibles, or topicals. The products have the calming properties that the tobacco users might be seeking in cigarettes without destroying the lungs.
It Can Ease Tabacco Cravings
If you’ve been smoking for many years, you probably can’t imagine a day where you don’t feel the need to light a cigarette. However, it is possible to suppress the cravings with the help of CBD, as it was proven by research.
During a study from 2018, a group of addicted smokers was given 800mg of CBD or the same dose of placebo. Then, they were shown pictorial cues connected with tobacco; meanwhile, the researchers assessed their withdrawal, craving, side effects, heart rate, and blood pressure. The research has found that a single 800mg dose of CBD has decreased the pleasant feelings connected with cigarettes, whereas the placebo group has not been influenced.
In Conclusion
Though CBD is not a silver bullet for quitting smoking, it might aid you in your journey to kick the habit. Many people believe it’s a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco as it does not contain the harmful toxins associated with cigarettes. Though smoking CBD might also be harmful to a certain extent, you can enjoy its effect by using other hemp-based products instead. What is more, CBD might help you curb cravings and alleviate the cumbersome withdrawal symptoms as it comes into interaction with your endocannabinoid system.
The process of overcoming an addiction is not easy, and your resolve to fight against it is formidable. Tobacco is one of the most addicting substances, so you need to be understanding of yourself. Though the beginning might be difficult, you’ll be able to achieve your goal with time.
