Around 1.1 billion people smoke nicotine across the world. The use of tobacco also causes about 6 million deaths annually. In the US alone, there are about 50 million people addicted to tobacco products. These statistics show that the nicotine epidemic is one of the most significant public health threats.
Many people know the health effects of smoking tobacco but don’t take action. But tobacco can cause death if not treated. Addiction from nicotine is prevalent, and it takes time for long-time smokers to stop. Currently, various therapies help users who want to quit smoking, but none seems to be effective like CBD.
With the increasing legalization of cannabis, getting CBD products shouldn’t be an issue. You can purchase the products online.All you have to do is , surf the net for CBD Products near me and read reviews before you make a purchase. But if you want to grow marijuana, then you should consider getting high quality germinating cannabis seeds from trusted sellers.
What is Nicotine Withdrawal?
Nicotine is a chemical containing nitrogen and linked to addiction in tobacco. It has various effects on the brain, like reducing appetite, improving short-term memory and concentration, reduces irritability and depression, and boosts mood. However, nicotine contains several compounds known to cause stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer.
To avoid the diseases associated with nicotine, quitting is the only option. But, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can be overwhelming for a user and make it hard for a smoker to quit smoking. These symptoms include sore throat, coughing, headaches, constipation, nausea, cravings for nicotine, sweating, anxiety, depression, and weight gain.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms begin two to three days after quitting smoking. When you smoke, the receptors in the brain develop an increased response to nicotine, and this makes it hard for you to quit smoking. Doctors treat nicotine withdrawal with replacement medication such as nicotine gum and other medicines like nasal sprays. You may also require prescription medications.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the compounds found in the marijuana or hemp plant. For many years now, researchers have shown the health benefits of CBD in managing various conditions such as pain and inflammation. Users prefer CBD to THC when it comes to therapeutic effects because it doesn’t produce psychoactive effects that make you ‘high.’ CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system to affect serotonin receptors, which play a crucial role in addictive behaviors.
Since the legalization of the hemp plant and medical marijuana in various states, the market is registering an increase in CBD products. CBD products vary and include CBD oil, tinctures, CBD-infused foods, CBD-infused drinks, topical, creams, lotions, and many more. You can use CBD products by vaping, smoking, through sublingual tinctures, orally, and as suppositories.One should always read the reviews of various CBD products and compare them before buying.This would ensure one gets high quality effective strains at affordable rates.
CBD and Cessation of Nicotine Withdrawal
The cycle of addiction can affect a person in different ways. Your brain naturally creates links, and if you are a smoker and try quitting, you will notice that the urge to smoke amplifies almost immediately. Breaking this chain of reinforced behavior and learned memories can be a long process, and this makes it challenging for smokers to quit. The good news is that CBD can help you to handle such habitual behaviors. Cannabis shows positive effects on users with nicotine addiction during their withdrawal periods.
Attention Bias in Nicotine Withdrawal and Role Of CBD
Addiction to any drug is a perfect example of attention bias whereby certain objects and memories prompt intense cravings on one’s drug of choice. For example, when smoking cues are nearby, it will be hard for a smoker to linger on other natural cues. When you are withdrawing from nicotine addiction, the presence of a nicotine product will attract your attention and increase your chances of relapsing.
CBD can help to control attention cues and cessation of nicotine withdrawal. Studies show that CBD helps to reverse attention bias to cigarette cues in one experiment that focused on tobacco withdrawal. In this study, the researchers used a medical approach with dependent smokers to investigate whether nicotine abstinence produces higher attentional bias and if CBD will eliminate cravings and withdrawal without creating any side effects. The findings of the study show that a dose of CBD can help with cessation of nicotine withdrawal by reducing attention bias.
CBD alters Memories Associated with Smoking
When your brain forms memories, they become short-term memories. However, over time, these short-term memories become long-term memories. The transition from short to long leaves a ‘memory trace’ behind. For a nicotine addict, the brain relates to the urge for pleasure with the action of smoking. It is for this reason that an addict gets an urge when they see or smell a person smoking. The brain yearns for the same action to provide relief.
CBD can help to make this ‘memory trace’ more flexible when you recall as a smoking-related activity. As such, it will help you to modify or eliminate that memory. Some prescription drugs also work in a similar way to re-consolidate a memory. Consuming CBD will give you the same impact while reminding you of the negative effects of smoking. Human and animal studies suggest that CBD has the potential to reduce relapse, craving, and impairs reconsolidation of drug-reward memory. If you are struggling with such memories after withdrawal, you should probably try CBD.
CBD Reduces Smoking Cravings
CBD may help in reducing nicotine cravings. The brain causes cravings making it difficult for you to focus on anything you are withdrawing from nicotine. Evidence from research shows that CBD may be all that you need to prevent yourself from reacting to those nicotine cravings. For example, in one study, the researchers gave about 12 smokers a placebo and 12 others a CBD inhaler to use any time that they had a nicotine craving. The study concludes that those using CBD inhalers reduced their intake of cigarettes by 40% while there was no significant change in smokers who used the placebo. These findings prove the effectiveness of CBD in the cessation of nicotine withdrawal.
CBD Boosts the Level of Serotonin
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for giving you feelings of happiness and wellbeing. When you consume nicotine through smoking, it triggers the release of serotonin, and this makes you calm and happy. The problem comes when you decide to quit. You will experience decreased levels of serotonin that translate to depression, anxiety, and loss of energy. That is why you will crave the next smoke to overcome these symptoms. CBD oil comes in handy to activate receptors in your brain and boost the level of serotonin. As such, it can help to reduce the symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal. Also, the pain and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil can come in handy to a person withdrawing from nicotine. CBD is also helpful for anyone experiencing insomnia due to a lack of cigarettes.
Conclusion
One of the hardest things that tobacco addicts face is the transition from smoking to non-smoking due to the numerous symptoms that affect your health. However, CBD contains many health benefits that can help manage these conditions. It reacts with the endocannabinoid system to control receptors that are responsible for addictive behaviors, such as smoking.
You can enjoy CBD in various forms, including edibles, vapes, oil, sublingual tinctures, and smoking. But if you are under medication, then you should consult a CBD expert first.
Let us know your thoughts, questions and experiences with CBD products in the comments section below.
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Interesting article, thanks for the information.