Introduction
Several studies have been published in biomedical journals indicating that CBD can help in the treatment of addiction. In particular, two studies conducted in the United Kingdom have shown the potential of CBD to help people quit smoking cigarettes.
The smoking problem
Since the beginning of the 20th century, smoking has been a widespread problem throughout Europe. For many years, tobacco use has been the leading preventable cause of death in the European Union. It is estimated that there are currently around 100 million daily smokers in Europe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco remains the leading cause of death in the world, with approximately 6 million people dying each year and economic losses estimated at more than half a trillion dollars .
Health problems related to smoking
Smoking can cause various health problems, such as difficulty breathing, exacerbation of asthma, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer (lung, larynx, oropharynx, esophagus, trachea, bronchus, acute myeloid leukemia, stomach, pancreas , kidney, urethra, colon, cervix and bladder), coronary heart disease, myocardial infarctions, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, hip fractures, cataracts, blindness, periodontitis, aortic aneurysm, impotence and infertility [[4]] .
CBD as an alternative to quit smoking
With the growing popularity of CBD for addiction treatment, people have discovered that it can be an excellent alternative to quitting smoking cigarettes. Many users consume CBD products to help kick the habit.
Nicotine vs. habit of smoking tobacco
Although it seems that the accepted theory about drug addiction is that it is a chronic and recurrent disease at the brain level, characterized by an irresistible desire to seek and use drugs, causing a loss of control over their use despite the negative consequences, more and more experts question this theory. More than 80% of people have been found to recover from addiction in their lifetime. Nicotine is able to trigger the release of the neurotransmitter called serotonin, while CBD is able to activate 5-HT1A receptors in the brain, which increase the availability of serotonin. This makes CBD reduce anxiety and help you relax, providing benefits for smoking cessation.
The science and CBD for quitting smoking
A study conducted by Freidbert Weiss obtained positive results in the use of CBD to treat addiction. Although this study was conducted in rats with conditioned addiction to alcohol or cocaine, it demonstrates the potential of CBD as an effective treatment for addiction. It has been speculated for some time that “drugs that alter the endocannabinoid system may be an effective treatment for nicotine addiction”, but more research is needed. There have been two recent studies conducted by University College London on the effectiveness of CBD for smoking cessation. In one such study, participants using a CBD product reduced their cigarette intake by 40%, while those using a placebo experienced no significant changes.
How to use CBD to quit smoking
There are several ways to use CBD to quit smoking cigarettes. One option is to use CBD oil, which can be taken orally or added to food and drinks.
Conclusion
CBD can be an effective alternative to help people quit smoking cigarettes. With its benefits for reducing anxiety and stress, CBD can be a useful tool in the process of quitting smoking. However, it is important to remember that each person is different and that it is important to seek medical advice before starting any treatment.
