CBD for Opioid Use Disorder: Cannabidiol as Natural Path Towards Addiction Recovery?

The opioid crisis has touched millions of lives across the globe. From prescribed painkillers to illicit substances, opioids can provide short-term relief but often come with devastating long-term consequences. For many, what begins as a way to manage pain gradually becomes a dependency that is incredibly difficult to break.

Governments and health professionals have long been searching for solutions, but the challenge is complex. Traditional treatments, such as methadone or buprenorphine, have saved countless lives but also bring their own limitations. Now, researchers are asking a new question: could cannabidiol (CBD), a natural, non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, offer another path to support recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD)?

In this article, we’ll explore what OUD is, why it’s such a pressing issue, and the latest results from a scientific review on how CBD might play a role in future treatment approaches.

Understanding Opioid Addiction and the Crisis Behind It

Opioids are a class of drugs originally derived from the opium poppy. They include prescribed medicines like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, as well as illicit substances like heroin. These drugs are powerful painkillers, often used after surgery or for chronic pain. They work by attaching to specific receptors in the brain and nervous system, reducing the perception of pain and producing a sense of euphoria.

While this effect can provide profound relief in the short term, opioids carry a high risk of dependence. Over time, the brain adapts to their presence, meaning higher doses are required to achieve the same effect. This tolerance can quickly lead to addiction and substance use disorder.

Opioid use disorder is characterised by repeated misuse of these drugs, resulting in compulsive use, withdrawal symptoms when stopping, and serious impacts on physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Globally, it affects more than 16 million people and contributes to over 100,000 deaths each year. Beyond the personal toll, the economic and social costs are immense, from healthcare expenses to lost productivity and the strain on families and communities.

Current Treatments for Opioid Use: Strengths and Limitations

The most common approach to treating OUD is opioid replacement therapy (ORT). This involves prescribing controlled doses of longer-acting opioids such as methadone or buprenorphine. The idea is to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while minimising the “high” that comes with shorter-acting opioids.

ORT has been shown to reduce risky behaviours, lower mortality rates, and improve stability in many people’s lives. However, it is not without challenges. Patients may still develop a dependence on the replacement drugs, relapse rates are high once treatment ends, and there are barriers to access in many countries due to cost, regulation, or stigma.

This has left researchers and clinicians searching for complementary options - approaches that could support recovery without the same risks of dependence. One area gaining attention is the potential effect of CBD.

Cannabidiol Explained: A Non-Psychoactive Compound From Cannabis

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the many active compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is non-psychoactive - meaning it doesn’t produce a “high.”

Over the past decade, CBD products have become widely recognised for their potential benefits in areas like anxiety, sleep, and inflammation. It has a generally favourable safety profile and is already legal in many parts of the world as a wellness product.

What makes the use of CBD particularly interesting in the context of opioid use disorder is that it interacts with some of the same brain systems involved in addiction - but without the risk of causing dependence itself.

How CBD Could Support Recovery From Opioid Addiction

While research is still in its early stages, scientists are uncovering several ways CBD could play a role in addiction treatment.

1. Reducing cravings and stress linked to opioid abuse

Addiction is not only about the body’s dependence on a drug - it also involves powerful psychological triggers. Certain places, people, or situations can spark cravings even after someone has stopped using opioids. Studies suggest CBD might reduce attention to these “cues” and help ease the stress and anxiety that often accompany them.

2. Supporting withdrawal symptoms naturally

Coming off opioids can bring intense withdrawal effects, from nausea and insomnia to severe anxiety. Early research indicates CBD could help moderate some of these symptoms, making the process less overwhelming.

3. A possible alternative for pain and opioid use

One of the key drivers of opioid prescriptions is chronic pain. CBD is being studied for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. While it is not currently approved as a pain medication, researchers believe CBD could, in the future, reduce the need for opioids in pain management, thereby lowering the risk of dependency.

What Research Says About Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Evidence from both human and animal studies is starting to build a picture of CBD’s potential role.

• In some clinical trials, individuals with opioid use disorder who took CBD reported reduced cravings and anxiety when exposed to drug-related cues.

• Observational studies suggest that in regions where medicinal cannabis is available, opioid prescriptions and overdose rates have declined.

• Surveys show that many patients using medicinal cannabis for chronic pain report reducing or even replacing their opioid use.

It’s important to note, however, that much of the current evidence is preliminary. Many studies rely on self-reported data, which can be unreliable, and large-scale randomised clinical trials on CBD are still limited.

Safety, Withdrawal, and Open Questions Around CBD Use

One of the reasons CBD is so appealing as a potential support for people who experience opioid cravings is its generally mild side-effect profile. Reported issues include drowsiness, diarrhoea, or changes in appetite, but serious adverse effects are rare. CBD is also non-addictive and does not produce a “high.”

That said, there are still many unanswered questions. Researchers are working to determine the most effective dose of CBD, the best ways of CBD administration, and its long-term safety for people in OUD treatment. At present, there is no officially recommended CBD treatment for opioid addiction, and it should never be used as a replacement for medical care.

Looking Ahead: CBD as a Natural Alternative in the Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis remains one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. While existing therapies save lives, they cannot solve the problem of drug use entirely. CBD offers an intriguing possibility: a natural, plant-based option that might help reduce cravings, support withdrawal, and even lessen reliance on opioids for pain management.

For now, the research on CBD is promising but not conclusive. What is clear is that CBD deserves a place on the research agenda, and as studies continue, it may one day become part of a more holistic approach to recovery - one that combines medical treatment, psychological support, and lifestyle changes.

CBD: Plant-Based Support in the Fight Against Opioid Addiction

Opioid use disorder is a complex condition that devastates lives and communities. Current treatments, though vital, are far from perfect. CBD, with its non-psychoactive nature and potential to influence brain systems linked to addiction, is emerging as a hopeful area of study.

While it is not yet a proven treatment, the early findings are encouraging. With more research, CBD could become part of the toolkit for supporting recovery and reducing the harms of opioids.

Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Le K, Au J, Hua J, Le KDR. The Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol in Revolutionising Opioid Use Disorder Management. Cureus. 2023 Dec 16;15(12):e50634.